Livestock industry demands 1.5 million tonnes soymeal imports amid price surge

Pune: India’s livestock industry has urged the government to allow imports of 1.5 million tonnes of soybean meal, after domestic prices of the key poultry feed ingredient surged about 45% in two months, raising costs for farmers and squeezing margins across the sector.

The soyabean processing industry, however, opposes import of soyabean meal, claiming local availability and saying that it could discourage domestic farmers from expanding planting of the oilseed crop.

In a letter to the Centre, the Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association of India said soaring soybean and maize prices are hurting livestock producers. ET has seen a copy of the letter sent recently.


The price spike has also curbed exports of soyabean meal, as it made Indian supplies uncompetitive globally, and triggered higher imports of non-genetically modified soybeans from Africa. Traders attributed lower local production, rising edible oil prices and concerns over El Niño for the price increase.

"We have requested the government to allow import of 15 lakh tonnes of soyabean meal on the tariff rate quota basis as poultry farmers are making a loss due to high prices of feed like soyabean and maize,” said Divya Kumar Gulati, president of the association.

The price of soyabean meal has increased by about 45% in the last two months, as India’s domestic production in 2025-26 is estimated to have declined to 10.5 million tonnes from 12.5 million tonnes in the previous year, down by about 16%.

Prices, though, have come down in the past few days to Rs 57-58 per kg from Rs 63-64.

India doesn’t not freely allow import of soyabean meal due to concerns that it could be of genetically modified (GM) varieties, which is not allowed in the country. India, however, allows import of cooking oil from GM soyabean. India had allowed import of 1.2 million tonnes of GM soyabean meal in 2021, trade sources said.

However, the industry and trade sources say that the import of non-GMO soyabean, which is freely allowed, has increased substantially. Soybean meal import is restricted.

“Import of soyabean from Africa, the only source of non-GMO soybeans, has increased during the last two months,” said a processor, requesting not to be named.

The soyabean processing industry, mainly represented by the Soybean Processors’ Association of India, says local supplies are enough to support the poultry industry.

“We have an ample soybean supply to support the local poultry industry and there is no need for import of soybean meal,” said Pawan Garg, director of Vardhaman Solvex.

Processors have also pointed out that the poultry demand of soya meal has been stagnant for the last 2-3 years due to availability of distillers’ dried grains soluble, a by-product of ethanol fuel production.