Browse Data and Analysis

Following the resumption of genetically engineered soybean imports after two years, soybean imports are forecast to rebound to 2 million tons in 2025/26. With a slight increase in domestic production expected, rapeseed imports are forecast to decline.

FAS New Delhi expects India’s peanut oilseed production to rise by 18 percent in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 and reach 7.2 million metric tons (MMT) due to higher market prices, an increased planting area of 5.6 million hectares, and the use of high-yielding varieties that produced higher yields.

While there is still considerable uncertainty regarding implementation, in January 2024 the government approved a system allowing for the resumption of genetically engineered commodity imports.

Despite economic challenges and high feed prices, demand for feed is expected to grow in Bangladesh as large commercial poultry farms expand their operations and some major feed producers have initiated contract poultry farming.

FAS New Delhi estimates India’s rapeseed-mustard production for marketing year (MY) 2023/2024 (October-September) at 11.9 million metric tons (MMT), harvested from 9.3 million hectares following favorable cold weather during the rabi crop season.

FAS New Delhi’s forecast for India’s soybean oilseed production for marketing year (MY) 2023/24 is revised to 12 million metric tons (MMT), slightly lower than the MY 2022/23 at 12.4 MMT which accounts for the impact of the El Nino weather pattern.

India’s soybean oilseed and rapeseed production estimates for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (October-September) increased to 12.4 and 11.8 million metric tons (MMT) respectively due to favorable weather conditions.

For marketing year (MY) 2023/24, Post’s soybean import forecast is 2.4 million MT, on Bangladesh rebounding from its current economic slowdown, while local soybean production remains flat.

India’s rapeseed and mustard (rapeseed-mustard) production estimate for marketing year (MY) 2022/2023 (October-September) is forecast to drop slightly to 11.4 million metric tons, harvested from a record 9.2 million hectares following a favorable monsoon performance in the state of Rajasthan.

On January 11, 2023, India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry/Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued Public Notice No. 50/2015-20. The notice specifies that India amended its previous tariff-rate quota of 2 million metric tons for crude soybean oil, previously allowable at a zero percent duty through Indian fiscal years (IFY) 2022/23 and 2023/24 (April 1-March 31).

India’s soybean, peanut, and sunflowerseed production for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (October-September) is estimated at 11.1 million metric tons (MMT), 6.65 MMT, and 200,000 metric tons, respectively, reflecting heavy late season rainfall in September and October that impacted yields and crop quality.

Due to uncertainty regarding policy on imported soybeans, the 2022/23 soybean import forecast is reduced from 2.5 to 2.2 million tons. Due to the lower expected soybean imports, 2022/23 crush and soybean meal output is reduced accordingly. Reflecting continued decline in consumer purchasing power due to record level inflation, the forecast for 2022/23 palm oil imports is also reduced.