November 13, 2025

 

Drop expected in India's soybean meal exports in 2025-26

 

 

India's soybean meal exports are expected to decline in the 2025–26 oil year as the industry faces a double hit of lower domestic production and the looming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which could restrict access to India's largest overseas market.

 

The country exported 2.023 million tonnes of soybean meal in 2024–25, but exporters said volumes may fall sharply this year as high prices of Indian-origin soybean meal have eroded competitiveness.

 

Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) executive director D. N. Pathak said that production shortfall and price disadvantage remain the biggest concerns.

 

"Soybean meal exports look down this year from the previous season because production is down and Indian-origin soybean meal is costly in international markets. We are around 50 to 60 dollars per tonne costlier than rival suppliers," he said.

 

A recent SOPA field survey estimated India's soybean output at 10.536 million tonnes, down 16.3% from 12.587 million tonnes last year. In Madhya Pradesh, the top-producing state, production is projected to fall nearly 20% to 4.456 million tonnes. MP accounts for nearly 60% of India's soybean meal exports and is seen as the most vulnerable region.

 

Processors in the state said raw material shortages and elevated global prices have already slowed shipments this season. With EUDR coming into force on December 30, 2025, exporters fear India could lose share to Brazil, Argentina, and the United States, whose supply chains are better aligned with the EU's strict land verification and traceability norms.

 

A leading exporter in Indore, requesting anonymity, said that order books are unusually thin.

 

"We have negligible advance orders from traditional buyers," the exporter said.

 

"Exports are likely to remain much lower this year. Europe, which has been a leading buyer of Indian soybean meal, may also cut purchases because of EUDR. Around 90% of MP's exporters and crushing plants will be impacted. The biggest challenge will be traceability and updating government records as required under the new norms."

 

Industry bodies have urged the government to initiate technical consultations with EU authorities and support processors in building compliance systems. They said the next 12 months will be critical for safeguarding India's position in the global soymeal market, especially for MP-based units that dominate crushing and export operations.

 

- The Times of India