30 Jun 2025
India recorded a modest increase in oilmeal exports during the first two months of the fiscal year 2025–26, driven largely by robust demand from African countries. According to data released by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), total oilmeal exports stood at 7.81 lakh tonnes (lt) during April–May 2025, up 1.79% from 7.67 lt in the corresponding period of 2024–25. In May 2025 alone, exports reached 3.15 lt, marking a 4.31% rise from 3.02 lt in May 2024.
SEA Executive Director BV Mehta, citing the Oil World report, highlighted a notable surge in demand for soybean meal from African nations. This uptick is attributed to expanding livestock production and a greater share of soybean meal in compound feed. During the first two months of FY26, India exported over 1.18 lt of soybean meal to West Asia and Africa, with Kenya and Kuwait being the leading importers.
However, exports of rapeseed meal declined slightly to 3.47 lt in April–May 2025, compared to 3.64 lt in the same period last year. Key destinations for rapeseed meal included China, South Korea, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Despite the drop, Mehta noted that India maintains a logistical advantage in these markets, benefiting from price parity and the ability to efficiently ship smaller consignments.
In terms of country-specific trade, South Korea imported 84,966 tonnes of oilmeals during the review period, down from 1.66 lt a year earlier. This included 60,856 tonnes of rapeseed meal, 13,681 tonnes of castorseed meal, and 10,429 tonnes of soybean meal.
China imported 1.17 lt of oilmeals, predominantly 1.13 lt of rapeseed meal along with 3,552 tonnes of castorseed meal. Bangladesh received 1.02 lt, including 54,762 tonnes of rapeseed meal and 47,880 tonnes of soybean meal. Among European buyers, Germany imported 58,945 tonnes of soybean meal and France took in 16,705 tonnes.
Overall, the performance indicates steady overseas demand, particularly from emerging African markets, which is expected to play a crucial role in shaping India's oilmeal export outlook in the coming months.