US Soybean Imports Could Devastate Indian Farmers

30-Oct-2025 06:06 PM

Indore. Although India has not yet agreed to begin importing soybeans from the US during bilateral trade talks, if approved, it could prove extremely disastrous for Indian farmers.

The example of edible oil is clear to all. Until the early 1990s, India was virtually self-sufficient in edible oilseed production. However, when import controls were deregulated, the flow increased so rapidly that India quickly became the largest importer of edible oil in the world.

A similar situation is being observed in China with soybeans. Until 2007, soybean imports were very low, but after that, imports began to grow rapidly, and today it is the largest importer. As a result, soybean production in China has stagnated, and efforts to increase it are now failing.

India can be considered nearly self-sufficient in soybean production because its crushing and processing capacity is limited, while record imports of soybean oil and other edible oils are being made from abroad.

While there is certainly a pressing need to curb the massive import of edible oils, focusing on increasing domestic soybean production rather than increasing imports would be more beneficial.

GM soybeans are primarily produced in the United States, while their production, import, and use are banned in India.

GM soybeans are cheaper than traditional varieties, and if large-scale imports begin, the price of indigenous soybeans will decline further, potentially exacerbating the hardships of Indian farmers.