Oil meal export drops by 25% year-on-year in December, says SEA

India’s year-on-year export of oil meals has declined by 25% in December 2024, shows data compiled by industry body Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA) due to fall in export of rapeseed and castor seed meal.

The export of oil meal in December 2024 is reported at 3.98 lakh tonnes compared to 5.32 lakh tonnes in December 2023; down by 25%. The overall export of oilmeals during April to December 2024 is reported at 31.50 lakh tonnes compared to 34.96 lakh tonnes during the same period of last year; down by 10%, mainly due to reduction in export of rapeseed meal and castorseed meal.

In the first nine months of the current oil year from April to December 2024, the export of soybean meal increased to 14.85 lakh tonnes compared to 12.11 lakh tonnes of the same period of last year, up by 23.6% due to the higher import by European buyers, such as Germany and France,” said SEA.


SEA expects a fall in the soyabean meal exports in the coming months.

“In recent months, with increased supply of soybean meal in world market, Indian soybean meal is facing severer competition. Crushing of soyabean till the end of December was lower, resulting into drop in production of soyameal, which may lead to a slow down in the consumption and export in the coming months,” said SEA.

According to the industry body, increased production and supply of DDGS from maize and other grains is dampening the demand of oilmeals in the local market. “For, rapeseed meal, Bangladesh is the major market, which is facing uncertainty, which is reflected in overall reduction in export of rapeseed meal during last few months,” said SEA.

South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Bangladesh are the major importers of Indian oilmeals.

Iran has emerged as the largest importer of soyabean meal from India, including shipment via Dubai.