Signs of rising soyameal demand from the poultry industry

14-Jan-2026 02:51 PM

Mumbai: Soyameal producers and processors are witnessing some improvement in demand and consumption of this key raw material from the domestic poultry industry. However, concerns persist due to the increasing use of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), which is relatively cheaper and is being used more aggressively in livestock feed and poultry feed formulations. DDGS is a by-product generated during ethanol production from grains.

According to Indore-based Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), offtake of soyameal in the feed sector is improving, with particularly strong growth in demand and consumption from the poultry industry. At the same time, competition from DDGS continues to pose a challenge.

As per SOPA’s report, the poultry sector lifted about 5 lakh tonnes of soyameal in December, which was broadly unchanged from November. However, during the first quarter of the current 2025–26 marketing season (October–December 2025), total soyameal consumption by the livestock feed and poultry feed manufacturing industry declined to 16 lakh tonnes, down by 1 lakh tonne from 17 lakh tonnes consumed during the same period in 2024. Similarly, demand for soyameal for food purposes slipped to 2.05 lakh tonnes during this period from 2.10 lakh tonnes a year earlier.

SOPA stated that total soyameal production in the country during October–December 2025 stood at 23.67 lakh tonnes, slightly lower than 24.07 lakh tonnes produced in the corresponding period of 2024. During the same review period, soybean arrivals in mandis declined to 43 lakh tonnes from 46 lakh tonnes, while total crushing eased to 30 lakh tonnes from 30.50 lakh tonnes.

By the end of December 2025, the industry is estimated to be holding 1.73 lakh tonnes of soyameal, while total soybean stocks across the country are projected at 66.53 lakh tonnes. On a quarterly basis, soyameal exports declined marginally from 5.18 lakh tonnes to 5.07 lakh tonnes.