Sharp Surge in China’s Imports of Indian Rapeseed Meal

21-Jan-2026 05:19 PM

Mumbai. Over the past few months, exports of Indian mustard meal/DOC (rapeseed meal) to China have increased sharply. According to data compiled by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), during the first eight months of the current financial year, from April to November 2025, India exported a total of 651,829 metric tons of rapeseed meal to China. In contrast, during the same period of the 2024–25 financial year, China had imported only 25,624 metric tons of rapeseed meal from India. China accounted for about 47% of India’s total rapeseed meal exports during this period.

As mustard supplies are in the off-season, crushing activity and market arrivals have slowed. However, due to good sowing and favorable weather conditions, the next mustard crop is expected to be better. At present, limited availability of rapeseed meal has slowed the pace of exports. From next month, February 2026, arrivals of the new mustard crop are expected to begin, which should help improve the export performance of rapeseed meal.

China’s GACC has approved several additional Indian firms for the export of rapeseed meal, raising expectations of further growth in shipments to China in the upcoming marketing season. Indian rapeseed meal prices remain competitive in the global market, prompting strong buying interest not only from China but also from several other countries. During the current year, mustard acreage has increased by about 270,000 hectares and crop conditions are reported to be good, supporting prospects of higher production. The Ministry of Agriculture has set a record production target of 13.9 million tons of mustard this season, although trade and industry circles remain skeptical about achieving this target.