Soyameal exports may decline 30% in March

NEW DELHI: Soyameal export is likely to decline 30% in March at about 5 lakh tonne against 7.1 lakh tonne in the year-ago period due to increase in demand from domestic poultry industry. “Soyameal export in March is likely to be around 4.5-5 lakh tonne taking the total export in October 2006 to march 2007 to about 27 lakh tonne,” Soyabean Processors’ Association spokesperson Rajesh Agarwal said.

Mr Agarwal also pegged the soyameal exports this year in April at 2.5-3 lakh tonne and from May-September to a minimum of 1 lakh tonne every month. He added that soymeal export during 2006-07 ending September this year is likely to decline at 35 lakh tonne compared to 41.8 lakh tonne last year.

“Last year the country exported more soyameal following less domestic consumption due to bird flu,” Mr Agarwal said, adding the availability of soyabean seeds for crushing was also better last year due to carry over stock of about 7 lakh tonne from the previous year.

Coupled with increase in the domestic consumption, the decline in the supply of seeds from April onwards will also contribute to the expected dip in the soyameal exports in coming months. Soyameal is the major feed after maize, which is consumed by the poultry industry. “The marketing of about 60 lakh tonne of seeds has already been completed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the central organisation for oil industry and trade has revised the soyabean production upwards last week at 76.6 lakh tonne from 72.6 lakh tonne. However, traders said it could reach up to 80 lakh tonne.