Soybean Acreage Lags Significantly Behind Normal Average

28-Jul-2026 04:26 PM

New Delhi. While sowing of soybean—a major oilseed crop of the Kharif season—has improved considerably in recent weeks, its acreage still trails behind both last year's sown area and the five-year average. Good monsoon rainfall in top-producing states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan has ensured there are no hindrances to the crop's progress.

According to official data, the total area under soybean cultivation nationwide stood at 113.65 lakh hectares as of July 24 during the current Kharif season. This is 3.60 lakh hectares less than the 117.25 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year and 15.06 lakh hectares below the five-year average of 128.71 lakh hectares.

The ideal window for soybean sowing has largely passed. Although sporadic sowing of this vital oilseed crop will continue—potentially leading to some improvement in the total area—reaching the normal average acreage appears unlikely.

However, if weather conditions remain favorable during August and September, the overall domestic soybean production is unlikely to see a significant decline.