The overall export of oilmeals decreased to 27.51 lakh tonnes (lt) during April-November of 2024-25 against 29.64 lt in the corresponding period of 2023-24, registering a 7.15 per cent decline.
BV Mehta, Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), attributed this decline to reduction in export of rapeseed meal and castorseed meal. During April-November 2024-25, India exported 13.21 lt of rapeseed meal (16.07 lt in April-November 2023-24), and 1.97 lt of castorseed meal (2.54 lt).
Total oilmeals exports during November 2024 stood at 3.63 lt (3.97 lt in November 2023), registering a decline of 8.63 per cent.
Up against competition
Mehta said the export of soyabean meal increased to 12.06 lt during the first eight months of the financial year 2024-25 against 9.37 lt in the corresponding period of 2023-24 due to higher imports by the UAE, Iran and France. However, Indian soyabean meal is facing severe competition in the recent months due to the increased supply of soyabean meal in world market, he said, adding, export is likely to slow down in coming months.
Bangladesh, which is the major market for rapeseed meal, is faced with uncertainties. Volume of export to Bangladesh has come down in the recent months.
SEA is making efforts to persuade the Centre to lift the ban on the export of de-oiled rice bran. He hoped that the government will take some positive steps to allow the export of de-oiled ricebran.
Major importers
During April-November 2024-25, South Korea imported 5.05 lt of oilmeals (5.55 lt) from India. This included 3.50 lt of rapeseed meal, 1.15 lt of castorseed meal, and 39,036 tonnes of soyabean meal.
India exported 1.78 lt of oilmeals (3.35 lt) to Vietnam during the first eight months of 2024-25. This included 1.49 lt of rapeseed meal, 15,571 tonnes of soyabean meal, 10,970 tonnes de-oiled ricebran extraction, and 2,871 tonnes of groundnut meal.
Thailand imported 3.02 lt of oilmeals (4.62 lt) from India during April-November 2024-25. This included 2.92 lt of rapeseed meal, 7,427 tonnes of soyabean meal, and 2,511 tonnes of groundnut meal.
India exported 4.70 lt of oilmeals (5.95 lt) of oilmeals to Bangladesh during April-November 2024-25. This included 4.13 lt of rapeseed meal and 57,554 tonnes of soyabean meal.
Iran imported 1.54 lt of soyabean meal from India during the first eight months of 2024-25.
