The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has urged Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to reject the poultry industry’s request to import genetically modified (GM) soybean meal. SOPA emphasized that India’s domestic soybean supply is sufficient and importing would adversely affect millions of local farmers.
The poultry sector has cited rising domestic prices as justification for imports. However, SOPA countered that price increases are primarily driven by raw material costs and international soybean oil rates, not supply shortages. Prices at the Indore market, for instance, have risen sharply over the past year due to these factors.
For the 2025-26 marketing year, SOPA reported that India’s soybean stocks remain robust, with carryover quantities adequate to meet both domestic demand and export commitments. The association warned that allowing imports could trigger unnecessary foreign exchange outflows and increase dependency on external markets, similar to the edible oil sector.
SOPA called on the government to protect the interests of domestic farmers by maintaining its current stance against GM soybean meal imports, underscoring the need to prioritize local agriculture over short-term industry demands.
