India Soybean Imports to Hit Record 9 Lakh Tonnes in 2025-26 oil year

India’s Soybean imports are expected to hit a record 9 lakh tonnes in the 2025-26 oil year, led by rising demand from the animal feed and processing sectors, along with competitive global pricing. This surge underscores changing consumption patterns and rising dependence on global supply chains despite strong domestic output. The increase in soybean production in the country has not been adequate to fully meet the growing requirements of the feed industry, particularly the poultry and livestock sectors that depend heavily on protein-rich inputs. Consequently, soybean imports continue to fill the demand gap and influence overall market balance.

Major factor behind the rising Soybean Imports

One of the major factors behind this trend is the consistent demand for soybean oil, which remains a widely used edible oil in Indian households and food processing industries. Meanwhile, changes in soybean prices globally have made imports more attractive for processors compared to domestic procurement in certain periods. This increasing reliance on imports could affect India’s soybean export strategy, since the domestic supply is diverted to meet internal demand pressures. In addition, it may also create price volatility in local markets, influencing both farmers and processors.

Soybean beneficiaries, including farmers, oil millers, and feed manufacturers, are closely watching these developments since they could remodify the profit margins and procurement strategies in the upcoming years. Generally, the trend of Soybean imports indicates a shifting balance in India’s oilseed economy, where demand growth and global price competitiveness are increasingly influencing trade flows.