India’s rapeseed meal exports are experiencing an unprecedented surge, driven by China’s imposition of a 100% retaliatory tariff on Canadian imports. This move positions India as a crucial replacement supplier for China, the world’s largest consumer of rapeseed meal.
According to B.V. Mehta, executive director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India, Indian rapeseed meal is highly competitive, leading to increased Chinese purchases since March. He projects India’s rapeseed meal exports to China to hit a record 500,000 metric tons in the 2025/26 marketing year, a substantial leap from the 60,759 tons exported last year. In the first two months of 2025/26 alone, India has already shipped 113,836 tons to China.
Previously, high prices hindered India, the world’s third-largest rapeseed producer, from exporting significant volumes to China. However, Indian rapeseed meal is now offered at approximately $202 per ton (FOB), a stark contrast to around $300 for EU supplies. This price advantage has made China the largest buyer of Indian rapeseed meal, with monthly purchases exceeding 50,000 tons.
This increased demand from China is also benefiting India domestically by boosting rapeseed crushing, which in turn improves the supply of rapeseed oil—a much-needed commodity given India’s recent lower edible oil imports. Traditionally, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam have been the primary destinations for Indian rapeseed meal exports.
