Soyameal carry-forward stocks for 2026-27 estimated at 1.93 lakh tonnes by trade body

Soybean meal carry-forward stocks for the oil year 2026-27 starting October are estimated at 1.93 lakh tonnes, which is more than twice the 0.68 lakh tonnes a year ago.

Also, soyabean stocks are estimated higher by around 8 per cent at 8.31 lakh tonnes as of October 1, according to the latest supply and demand estimates by the Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA).

For the oil year 2025-26 ending September 30, SOPA has estimated exports of Indian soyameal at 10 lakh tonnes, down 50 per cent from 20.23 lakh tonnes a year ago. Higher domestic prices are among the key reasons for the decline in exports.

Consumption by the domestic feed sector was marginally higher at 63 lakh tonnes during 2025-26 over 62 lakh tonnes last year, SOPA said. Similarly, the consumption by the food sector grew to 9 lakh tonnes against 8 lakh tonnes in the previous year. Production of soyameal during 2025-26 was 83.25 lakh tonnes, lower than previous year’s 89.56 lakh tonnes on lower availability of the beans.

Imports up steeply

Production of soyabean was down at 110.26 lakh tonnes during 2025-26 over 128.82 lakh tonnes a year ago as per SOPA estimates. However, imports of soyabean saw a steep increase at 11 lakh tonnes against 0.02 lakh tonnes. India imports non-genetically modified soyabeans mainly from the least developed countries in Africa.

For the oil year 2026-27, SOPA estimates India’s soyabean production at 107.90 lakh tonnes, lower than the previous year’s 110.26 lakh tonnes as drought in parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka has impacted the output. This is despite a 5 per cent increase in area at 117.73 lakh hectares for the year.