Page 32 - Think Grain Thin Feed Oct 2025

www.benisonmedia.com INDUSTRY NEWS green feed, providing consistent nutrition even during dry Shrimp Squeeze: India's Seafood farms closed in the past year, following about 30% closures www.benisonmedia.com

Think Grain Think Feed - Volume 11 | Issue 12 | Oct 2025
Think Grain Think Feed - Volume 11 | Issue 12 | Oct 2025

Oilmeal Exports Stay Flat in H1
during the Covid-19 pandemic. Of over 50,000 registered and
seasons. IIMR is developing region-specific maize hybrids and
promoting farmer-centric value chain models to strengthen
FY2025-26 Despite Strong
Industry Struggles Under New
unregistered farms, only 10–12% are corporate-owned, leaving
the country's fodder ecosystem.
September Surge
high production costs. Raozan-based farmer Debashish
Bhattacharya noted that nearly 30% of his chicks died last year
specific maize hybrids, optimizing crop management, and
India's oilmeal exports remained nearly unchanged in the first Experts emphasized the importance of developing silage- US Tariffs many small entrepreneurs exposed to market volatility and
India's seafood sector has been hit hard by the recent US
improving ensiling techniques through microbial inoculants. due to poor quality, highlighting persistent risks for smaller
half of FY2025-26, despite a sharp 40% rise in September decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing trade
The growing demand for silage is also fostering rural operators.
shipments. According to the Solvent Extractors' Association of imbalances and Russian energy imports. This move, combined
entrepreneurship, opening new opportunities for FPOs, dairy
India (SEA), exports stood at 20.93 lakh tonnes (lt) during with existing anti-dumping (3.96%) and countervailing duties Taher Ahmed Siddiqui, president of the Bangladesh Egg
cooperatives, and agri-startups.
April–September 2025-26, marginally higher than 20.82 lt a (5.76%), has raised total effective duties to nearly 60%, making Producers Association, stressed that policy support is critical
year earlier — an increase of just 0.5%. Participants called for capacity building, policy support, and shipments to the US — India's largest seafood market — to safeguard farmers and employment. The Department of
large-scale demonstrations to accelerate adoption. The
In September alone, exports touched 2.99 lt, up from 2.13 lt in increasingly unviable. Livestock Services aims to raise per capita egg availability to
workshop concluded that silage maize represents a pivotal
September 2024, driven by higher shipments of soybean, 165 by 2031 and 208 by 2041, but experts caution that
step toward sustainable crop–livestock integration and long- The US accounts for one-third of India's $7.45 billion seafood
rapeseed, groundnut, and castorseed meals. However, production growth alone is insufficient. Protecting small
term fodder security for India's dairy and livestock sectors. exports, valued at $2.71 billion in FY 2024–25. Early signs of
soybean meal exports for the six-month period fell to 8.39 lt farmers, regulating markets, controlling costs, and ensuring
stress include declining shipments, closed processing units in
from 9.08 lt last year, pressured by global price competition China Navigates Soybean Supply fair prices are essential to sustain the sector and secure long-
and increased availability of DDGS in the feed market, which Andhra Pradesh, and a 30–35% drop in September exports. term food and livelihood security.
Experts warn that India could face a 20% fall in overall seafood
has reduced domestic demand. Amid High Brazilian Premiums
Groundnut meal exports surged nearly threefold to 15,967 exports in FY26, affecting millions of livelihoods. Soybean Output Set to Drop by
tonnes, supported by increased groundnut production. SEA's and Trade Tensions Industry leaders urge urgent market diversification toward
survey indicated that Gujarat's groundnut acreage rose to Europe, Russia, Japan, and Southeast Asia, but note that 20.5 Lakh Tonnes Amid Weather
China's soybean imports remain in focus as the world's largest
22.02 lakh hectares this kharif season, with output expected at compliance standards, species-specific demand, and long
buyer navigates high Brazilian premiums and ongoing trade Woes
46.07 lt. certification timelines make this shift slow and costly. Shrimp
tensions with the U.S. In September 2025, China imported
Among key buyers, China emerged as the top importer with 12.87 million metric tons of soybeans, the second-highest — which makes up 70% of India's seafood exports — poses a India's soybean production is expected to decline by 20.5 lakh
4.95 lt, followed by South Korea (2.32 lt) and Bangladesh (2.12 monthly volume on record, largely sourced from South particular challenge, as 40% of these shipments historically tonnes this year, reaching 105.36 lakh tonnes, the Soybean
lt). Europe also showed steady demand, with Germany and America. Brazil alone supplied around 6.5 million tons, went to the US. Processors Association of India (SOPA) has reported. The fall is
France importing 1.43 lt and 56,959 tonnes of soybean meal, accounting for 93% of its total exports to China, while Exporters are also facing severe working capital shortages as attributed to reduced acreage, lower productivity, and adverse
respectively. Argentina also contributed significantly under its temporary inventories pile up, banks tighten lending, and interest costs weather conditions, including heavy monsoon rains in
SEA welcomed the government's recent decision to lift the ban tax holiday. These imports ensured China's soybean supply surge. Many are seeking soft loans, interest subsidies, and Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
on de-oiled ricebran exports from October 3, noting that it will remained robust, with total imports from January to moratoriums similar to pandemic-era relief. During the current Kharif season, soybean was sown on 114.56
support the rice milling and solvent extraction industries, September reaching 86.18 million tons, up 5.3% year-on-year. Government officials have initiated consultations with banks lakh hectares with an average yield of 920 kg per hectare,
improve returns for farmers, and enhance ricebran oil However, looking ahead to December-January shipments, and exporters to mitigate financial distress and promote new compared to 118.32 lakh hectares and 1,063 kg per hectare
processing. Chinese buyers have been hesitant to secure new cargoes. trade routes. However, industry observers warn that the last year. SOPA chairman Davish Jain noted that rainfall
High Brazilian premiums of $2.8–2.9 per bushel—compared combined pressures of tariffs, liquidity constraints, and damage significantly affected crop output, while executive
Silage Revolution: Maize Hybrids with U.S. premiums of around $1.7—have squeezed crush compliance challenges could permanently alter India's seafood director D. N. Pathak highlighted the impact of the yellow
Emerge as Key to India's Fodder margins, discouraging processors from locking in near-term export landscape unless swift, coordinated action is taken. mosaic virus on several regions.
supplies. China still needs approximately 8–9 million tons for To support farmers, the Madhya Pradesh government has
Security year-end and early 2026, and industry sources suggest the Bangladesh Achieves Egg introduced a price difference payment scheme, ensuring that
country may tap its state reserves before the new South
Agricultural experts and stakeholders have identified silage American harvest arrives. Surplus, Small Farmers Face those selling below the centrally declared Minimum Support
maize as a game-changer for India's livestock and dairy Price (MSP) of ₹5,328 per quintal receive compensation. This
U.S. soybeans remain largely sidelined due to ongoing trade
sectors, capable of boosting farm incomes, ensuring year- Market Pressures MSP is ₹436 higher than last year's rate, aiming to cushion
tensions, though buyers may return if a deal is reached during
round fodder availability, and enhancing animal productivity. farmers from market volatility.
potential Trump-Xi talks in South Korea. Historically, China has Bangladesh has surpassed its national egg requirement,
This consensus emerged at a recent workshop in Ludhiana SOPA emphasized that India imports over 60% of its edible oil
diversified imports, sourcing only 20% from the U.S. in 2024, producing a surplus of 59.65 crore eggs above the FAO-
focused on strengthening the maize-based silage value chain requirements, costing around ₹1.7 lakh crore annually. To
down from 41% in 2016. Analysts note that trade recommended annual intake of 185 crore eggs, ensuring a per
in Punjab and Haryana, organized by the ICAR–Indian Institute achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils, soybean production
developments, South American weather, and domestic capita availability of 137 eggs, up from just 35 a decade ago.
of Maize Research (IIMR).
demand for soybean meal will continue to shape China's The Department of Livestock Services reports total annual must increase through improved seeds, better agronomic
Delivering the keynote address, ICAR–IIMR Director Dr. H. S. purchasing patterns. practices, and effective pest management.
Jat highlighted the potential of silage maize to bridge India's production of 244.65 crore eggs, with commercial farms
With a record Brazilian harvest of 177.64 million tons expected contributing 3.5–4 crore eggs daily and rural households 2–2.5 The decline in soybean output underscores the vulnerability of
widening green fodder gap. “By promoting silage maize,
in 2025/26, Chinese crushers hope that supply abundance will crore. oilseed crops to climate variability and pest outbreaks,
farmers can achieve better land-use efficiency, maintain soil
ease prices. Meanwhile, strategic sourcing decisions, market highlighting the need for policy support, crop insurance, and
health, and secure higher returns within a shorter duration,” he Despite this progress, small-scale farmers remain highly
diversification, and careful management of reserves remain investment in resilient agriculture practices to stabilize supply
said. vulnerable. Last year, rising feed and medicine costs, low egg
critical for Beijing to maintain a stable soybean supply in the and reduce dependence on imports.
Silage — a fermented, high-moisture fodder — was promoted face of global price volatility and geopolitical uncertainties. prices, and a shortage of day-old layer chicks forced many
as a climate-resilient and sustainable alternative to traditional producers to shut down. Industry sources estimate 20–25% of
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