Decline in Soymeal Exports Due to High Prices and Domestic Demand

30-Jun-2026 04:42 PM

Mumbai. Indian soymeal has become uncompetitive in the international export market, with prices running significantly higher than those of other major supplier countries. Consequently, demand for Indian soy DOC (De-oiled Cake) has weakened in traditional Southeast Asian markets as well as in other importing nations.

However, despite high prices, demand for soymeal remains robust within the domestic animal feed and poultry feed manufacturing industries. This has reduced the exportable surplus stock and led to a decline in shipments, with many countries cutting back on purchases.

The Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) states that wholesale market rates and plant delivery prices for soybeans have surged in recent months, significantly raising soymeal production costs and forcing millers to hike prices.

Unless there is a substantial increase in domestic production or large-scale imports of soybeans for crushing and processing, India's exportable stock of soymeal will remain limited.

Domestic supply and availability of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)—a byproduct of ethanol production—are on the rise. DDGS is emerging as a significant challenge for the soybean industry; due to its competitive pricing, it is displacing rice bran,

rapeseed meal, and—to some extent—soymeal in the animal and poultry feed sectors. Currently, there are record imports of non-GM soybeans from African countries, which are slightly cheaper than domestic oilseeds. However, the pace of soybean sowing is very slow, raising concerns regarding future production.