India likely to restrict duty-free imports of soybean, corn for human consumption under its US trade deal

Shambhavi Anand & Sharmishtha Mukherjee

New Delhi: India is likely to restrict duty-free imports of soybean and corn for human consumption under its proposed trade agreement with the US, and allow limited access for American farm products tied to energy and animal feed, people familiar with the discussions said. However, it might open its market for American sorghum and distillers-dried grains with solubles, a by-product of the ethanol production process, primarily derived from corn used as feed for poultry and cattle.

"Soyabean is out of the deal," said a person aware of the matter.


American almond, cashew, pecan, walnut and pistachio are expected to get duty-free access to the Indian market, where consumers are becoming health-focused, increasing consumption of nuts.

Washington has been pushing India to buy American soybean and corn, something New Delhi has resisted citing concerns over genetically modified (GM) varieties. India is also firm on the red lines about market access in the agricultural sector, in order to protect its farmers. Last year, the Soybean Processors Association (SOPA) urged the commerce ministry to reject any proposal to allow imports of genetically modified soybean meal from the US, saying the country has sufficient domestic supplies, and that such a move would hurt farmers. "Permitting GM soybean meal imports at this juncture will have devastating consequences for India's agricultural sector," the association said in a letter.