Soybean production declines by more than 2.5 million tons

11-Mar-2026 07:15 PM

New Delhi. Data from the Union Agriculture Ministry shows that domestic soybean production jumped to a peak of 15.268 million tons in the 2024-25 Kharif season, but declined to 12.72 million tons in the 2025-26 season. Thus, annual imports have led to a sharp decline of 2.548 million tons in soybean production.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, previous domestic soybean production estimates were 13.062 million tons in the 2023-24 season, 14.985 million tons in 2022-23, and 12.987 million tons in the 2021-22 season.

Interestingly, the Indore-based Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has also significantly reduced its soybean production estimates, although its figures are much lower than the official figures.

Soybean acreage declined significantly in the 2025 Kharif season compared to the previous year, but the major reason for the sharp decline in production is believed to be severe crop damage caused by various natural disasters.

Excessive rainfall and severe flooding during last year's monsoon season in key producing areas of the three top producing states – Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan – caused significant damage to the soybean crop, and its quality was also affected in some areas.