Soybean imports projected to hit a new record high this season

16-Jun-2026 10:37 AM

Indore. India's total soybean imports for the current 2025-26 marketing season (October-September) are projected to surge to a new record high of 9 lakh tonnes, a sharp rise from the mere 2,000 tonnes imported during the 2024-25 season.

A significant gap between supply and demand, coupled with high domestic prices, has compelled crushers and processors to import large quantities of soybeans from abroad.According to the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), an Indore-based apex body, soybean imports into the country had already reached 6.50 lakh tonnes by the end of May 2026 during the current marketing season.

The bulk of this volume was imported over the last four months. SOPA estimates that if this trend continues, total soybean imports could peak at 9 lakh tonnes by the end of September 2026. SOPA had previously projected total imports of 6 lakh tonnes for the 2025-26 season.

SOPA's Executive Director noted that while soybean imports had previously touched a record 6.10 lakh tonnes two years ago, the current season's imports could exceed that figure by 30–35 percent. The domestic supply and availability situation remains complex.

SOPA has revised its estimates, raising the projected soybean crushing volume from 102 lakh tonnes to 104 lakh tonnes and the soybean meal export forecast from 10 lakh tonnes to 11 lakh tonnes.

India primarily imports soybeans from least-developed countries in the sub-Saharan region of Africa—such as Niger, Togo, and Nigeria—due to the production of non-GM soybeans in those regions.