India&rsquo;s oilmeal exports recorded mixed trends in the first half of FY 2025-26. Provisional data from the Solvent Extractors&rsquo; Association of India reported 299,252 tons exported in September 2025, marking a 40% increase from 213,744 tons in September 2024. Overall exports for April to September reached 2,093,067 tons, showing a marginal rise of 0.5% compared to the same period last year.
Soybean meal exports declined to 839,075 tons from 908,800 tons due to global pricing pressures and increasing domestic availability of alternatives like DDGS. In contrast, rapeseed meal exports rose to 1,107,436 tons, and groundnut meal exports surged to 15,967 tons from 5,090 tons, supported by higher production in Gujarat, where cultivation expanded to 22.02 lakh hectares with total output estimated at 46.07 lakh tons. Castor seed meal exports remained steady at 130,589 tons.
The government lifted the ban on de-oiled rice bran exports effective October 3, 2025, opening new opportunities for the rice milling and solvent extraction sectors. This move is expected to benefit farmers, processors and strengthen India&rsquo;s position in global feed markets.
Average export prices in September 2025 were $398 per ton for soybean meal, $198 for rapeseed meal, and $101 for castor seed meal, with the Indian rupee averaging 88.32 per US dollar. Major importers included China at 495,095 tons, South Korea at 232,274 tons, Bangladesh at 212,865 tons, Germany at 143,039 tons, and France at 56,959 tons.
Port-wise, Mundra led with 815,875 tons, followed by Kandla at 421,423 tons, Mumbai/JNPT at 333,847 tons, Pipavav at 23,732 tons, and other ports at 498,190 tons. The export trends indicate strong growth in groundnut and rice bran meals, stable rapeseed and castor meals, and ongoing challenges for soybean meal, reflecting evolving dynamics in India&rsquo;s agro-trade.

Soybean exports dip, groundnut and rice bran rise as India boosts oilmeal trade globally

India’s Oilmeal Exports See Mixed Trends

Soybean exports dip, groundnut and rice bran rise as India boosts oilmeal trade globally

October 16, 2025 | 21:13 IST