India’s Oilmeal Exports Fall 12% in FY 2024-25 Amid Low Demand

India's oilmeal exports dropped by 12.39% between April and February 2024-25, mainly due to weak global demand for rapeseed meal and oversupply of soybean meal in international markets.

According to the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), India exported 3.93 million tonnes of oilmeal during April-February, down from 4.49 million tonnes in the previous year. Exports in February 2025 alone declined significantly to 330,000 tonnes, compared to 515,000 tonnes in February 2024.

Why Oilmeal Exports Have Declined

Lower Exports of Rapeseed and Castorseed Meals

• Rapeseed meal exports decreased by 17.53%, totaling 1.68 million tonnes compared to 2.03 million tonnes last year.
• Rapeseed meal prices fell sharply to USD 190 per tonne as of March 17, 2025, down from USD 270 per tonne a month ago and USD 285 per tonne in March 2024.
• Castorseed meal exports also saw a 21.44% drop, falling from 349,000 tonnes last year to 274,000 tonnes this year.

Soybean Meal Exports Flat, Prices Decline

• Soybean meal exports were stable at around 1.94 million tonnes, marginally higher than 1.93 million tonnes last year.
• However, during October-February 2024-25, soybean meal exports fell by 23% to 1.03 million tonnes, compared to 1.34 million tonnes during the same period last year.
• Prices for soybean meal decreased from USD 380 per tonne last month to USD 360 per tonne, driven by excess global supply and subdued international demand.

Major Importers of Indian Oilmeals (April-February 2024-25)

Challenges Ahead

India’s declining oilmeal exports are primarily a result of abundant global supply combined with weaker international demand. With soybean meal prices softening and rapeseed meal prices sharply declining, Indian exporters might continue to face difficulties unless there's a notable recovery in global demand.