India’s oilmeal exports fell sharply in January 2026, declining 42% year-on-year to 2,60,123 tonnes, driven by weaker shipments of soybean and rapeseed meals, according to the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA). In the same month last year, exports had stood at 4,52,352 tonnes.
For the April–January 2025–26 period, total oilmeal exports dropped to 3.2 million tonnes from 3.6 million tonnes a year earlier. Soybean meal exports were down to 1,32,440 tonnes in January 2026 from 2,86,287 tonnes, while rapeseed meal shipments fell to 64,782 tonnes from 1,31,641 tonnes. Groundnut meal exports also declined, dropping to 1,067 tonnes from 2,636 tonnes.
In contrast, ricebran extraction exports surged to 35,367 tonnes from just 63 tonnes in January 2025.
SEA attributed the decline in rapeseed meal shipments to reduced crushing activity, as processors awaited fresh crop arrivals expected in February and March. At Kandla, Indian rapeseed meal was quoted at INR 20,300 per tonne, up from INR 18,500 in November–December 2025, though below the January peak of INR 21,617. In dollar terms, Indian rapeseed meal was priced at USD 235 per tonne, compared with USD 276 per tonne for European Union-origin meal at Hamburg.
China, South Korea, Bangladesh, and Germany remain the main buyers of Indian oilmeals. Analysts say the slowdown reflects seasonal crop availability and global market pressures, but demand from key importers is expected to support shipments in the coming months.
