Published in partnership with Think Grain, Think Feed
 
September 30, 2021

 

Indian experts discuss the recent opening of GM soymeal imports

 

 

High prices of feed raw materials have been the biggest concern for integrators, feed millers and farmers especially in India. With multiple meetings with government authorities, the industry has finally seen a ray of hope as the government recently allowed import of GM (genetically-modified) soymeal for animal feed. Think Grain Think Feed connected with industry experts including Shri Tarun Sridhar, Former Union Secretary – Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India; Prof. G Devegowda, one of the most reputed freelance consultants; and Shiva Mudgil, Director-RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness, to know their viewpoints on this decision and how it can impact the sector.


Decision based on science


In my view it is a pragmatic decision long awaited by our poultry sector. Our opposition to GM crops or ingredients in crop/food items has been based more on beliefs and ideology and less on science and economics.


Impact on Indian soybean farmers


Soybean is the most critical feed and key input in poultry. The end price and profitability depend to a large extent upon the behaviour of the soybean market, so in the end it is a good decision. Proof of the pudding is in eating; so, let us not presume any adverse impact on soybean farmers. There is not going to be any, but if at any stage such apprehensions come true the situation could always be reviewed. There is no long-term contractual obligation.


There is no threat, as of now, to our poultry industry from import of GM soybean or other poultry. It has been nearly a decade since we lost out to the United States in the World Trade Organization on this issue, but have you seen any American poultry flooding the market? In fact, our perspective should be to encourage competition to enable our poultry industry to export which at present is negligible, close to zero. I think providing good policy support such as allowing free access to cheap inputs, as in the instant case, is a step in the right direction. Our poultry should aim to dominate global trade rather than retreat in the face of competition.

 

Impact on the Indian poultry industry


The Indian poultry industry is heavily dependent on corn and soybean which are the two major ingredients in poultry feed. Unfortunately, soymeal prices have increased by more than 100% for the past one year. The industry is adversely affected by the increase in soymeal prices, resulting in high cost of production of feed, chicken meat and eggs.


Globally, the majority of the countries are growing GMO (genetically-modified) soybean. The cost of GMO soybean meal in the US and Brazil is INR 35 to 40 (~US$0.47-0.54; INR 1 = US$0.013), whereas Indian poultry farmers pay about INR 90 to 100 (US$1.21-1.35) per kg. This results in a high cost of production of meat and eggs.


Feed accounts for about 70% of the cost of production. A supply shortage of soymeal and resulting increase in cost of feed could be a major factor that may hinder the growth potential of Indian poultry. The Indian poultry today needs about 28 million tonnes of poultry feed to produce approximately 4.9 million tonnes of chicken meat and 105 billion eggs per year. We need about 14 million tonnes of corn and six million tonnes of soymeal per year to produce 28 million tonnes of poultry feed.


Relying on soymeal is risky


Import of soymeal is not a permanent feature. This year the Government of India is planning to import 15 lakh (1.5 million) tonnes of soymeal because of a shortage in the poultry and livestock industry. Import depends on production and demand for soymeal in the country. Importing soymeal on a regular basis will definitely have a negative impact on soybean farmers.

The poultry industry should try to use alternative protein sources to soymeal in poultry rations. Relying on soymeal alone and expecting that they will always be available and at reasonable price levels is risky.


Change in industry structure – The need of the hour


US consumers strongly prefer chicken breasts to legs, so breasts can cost four times as much as legs. In India, however, all chicken meat costs the same. The industry says it can compete with whole US chickens, but not chicken legs, which are too cheap.


India should change its industry structure, exporting chicken breasts at a high price to the US and importing cheap legs. That will lower the consumer price in India while boosting exports and keeping the industry viable. It will be a win-win situation.

 

Chicken consumption


Chicken consumption in India nosedived in 2020 due to COVID-19. Supply-chain disruptions, including logistics and labour challenges, also had an impact on poultry consumption. The business-to-business (B2B) segment was impacted the most due to closure of restaurants and hotels during lockdown with slow recovery in the second half of 2020.

India experienced similar challenges in 2021 owing to second Covid wave. However most of the challenges were managed in a better way compared to last year.


Consumer demand has experienced good growth during the crisis with direct-to-consumer business models leading this growth. Many of the meat start-ups have seen good demand for poultry products through their platform riding on consumers' growing concerns towards quality, safety and hygiene of the products.


Demand is expected to improve in 2021 over 2020 and is expected to reach 2019 levels. Consumer demand remains the key growth driver with B2B demand on a roller coaster ride since last year. Institutional demand is expected to recover in the second half of 2021.


Feed availability and prices


The key issue for the poultry industry this year is high feed prices due to reduced availability of feed. Increase in feed prices this year, significantly higher than last year particularly for soymeal, is expected to impact industry margins this year. The only respite for the industry is that average broiler price has been higher compared to last year however higher feed prices are expected to reduce the margins for the Indian poultry industry in 2021 compared to last year. Improvement in feed supplies on account of prospects of good kharif harvest in the next quarter along with imports of soymeal may help reduce the impact by bringing down feed prices.


Suggestions for the government authorities


The top priority by all stakeholders is to convince the government to grant permission to cultivate GMO corn and soybean. The advantages are many; for example India used to be a net importer of cotton about 20 years back. After the introduction of GMO cotton (BT Cotton), India’s production increased and today India is the world's largest exporter of cotton.

Further quoting a group of Nobel Prize winners: "There has never been a single confirmed case of a negative health outcome for humans or animals from their consumption. Their environmental impacts have been shown repeatedly to be less damaging to the environment, and a boon to global biodiversity."


"Indian regulators must seize the opportunity and promote GM crops. India needs them to feed growing populations of humans, livestock and poultry," suggested Prof. Devegowda.


This article originally appeared on the Think Grain, Think Feed website: https://benisonmedia.com/import-of-gm-soyameal-doc-is-it-a-relief/

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