Buoyed by strong domestic demand for mustard oil—especially the traditional *kachi ghani* variety India’s crushing activities have gained momentum, resulting in higher production of rapeseed meal. This surplus has coincided with a surge in overseas demand, with China emerging as the key growth driver. Between April and August 2025, China imported nearly 368,000 tons of Indian rapeseed meal, a dramatic rise from just 17,396 tons in the same period last year.
The turnaround is largely attributed to India’s pricing advantage in global markets. As on September 18th, India maintained its edge at US$ 200 per tons against Hamburg ex-mill price of US$ 236 per tons. This price competitiveness, combined with India’s logistical proximity to major consuming markets, has reinforced its reputation as a cost-effective supplier in the global oilmeal trade.
Meanwhile, in the first five months of FY26, export of soybean meal reduced to 7.57 lakh tons from 8.49 lakh tons during the same period of last year as the soybean meal prices are much lower in South and North America compared to Indian prices, which has impacted Indian exports of soybean meal. Soya meal is losing market share mainly in the poultry feed market to Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), the production of which is on the rise owing to increasing Indian production of ethanol. The soybean acreage is down to 120.43 lakh hectares from 126.24 lakh ha. down by 5.81 lakh ha as on September 12 due to shifting of area to other crops.
SEA added that India used to export 5 to 6 lakh tons of De-oiled Rice Bran prior to July 2023 mainly to Vietnam, Thailand and other Asian countries and was positioned as a reliable supplier in the international market. The government prohibited export of De-oiled Ricebran on July 28 attributing it to the high fodder prices with De-oiled Ricebran being a major component.
The prohibition extended from time to time and now it up to 30th September, 2025. The De-oiled Ricebran prices now are at the lower level and to go down further with increased availability of DDGS. In view of the sharp fall in prices of De-oiled Ricebran, the Association has appealed to the government to lift the ban / not to extend beyond 30th September ,2025. This will help the disposal of surplus of De-oiled Ricebran and at the same time boost the export.
as a Reliable and Trusted News SourceContent Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com