SOPA requests halt on government soybean sales till June-end

17-Apr-2025 11:30 AM

Indore. Amid reports that central agencies NAFED and NCCF are planning to release soybean stock in the domestic market, the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has urged the government to delay the sale until the end of June.

SOPA fears that selling soybean before the Kharif sowing season concludes could hurt farmers by pushing prices further down.

In a letter to the Union Agriculture Secretary, SOPA’s Executive Director warned that releasing soybean now — especially at prices below the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹4892 per quintal — would harm farmer interest and reduce soybean cultivation.

The market had shown slight recovery, but the news of potential sales from government stock has already begun to weaken prices again.

SOPA noted that any premature sale would not only lead to losses for farmers but also for the government, which had procured soybean at MSP.

The association emphasized that the sale of the government’s record 20 lakh tonnes of soybean should be postponed until sowing concludes to prevent further market disruption.