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India’s oilmeals export dropped by 11% to 43.42 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25, down from 48.85 lt the previous year, with FOB value plunging 21% to ?12,171 crore. This decline is mainly due to reduced exports of rapeseed and castorseed meal, driven by weaker international demand and falling prices. Rapeseed meal saw a steep drop in price from $278 to $209 per tonne. SEA highlighted opportunities in the Chinese market, amid EU supply constraints. Soyabean meal exports remained stable due to consistent European demand for non-GM variants. SEA also called for lifting the export ban on DORB, now facing surplus and low domestic demand.

Key Highlights

* India’s oilmeal exports fell 11% in FY 2024-25.

* Rapeseed and castorseed meal exports saw sharp decline.

* Global oilmeal prices dropped significantly over the year.

* China offers new opportunity amid EU rapeseed shortage.

* SEA urges lifting the DORB export ban due to surplus.

India witnessed an 11% decline in oilmeals exports during FY 2024-25, with volumes dropping to 43.42 lakh tonnes from 48.85 lt in the previous year. In value terms, the fall was steeper — a 21% dip from ?15,368 crore in 2023-24 to ?12,171 crore. This was primarily due to weaker global demand and a sharp fall in prices of major oilmeals like rapeseed and castorseed meal.

Rapeseed meal exports fell to 18.75 lt from 22.13 lt a year ago, while castorseed meal exports dropped to 2.99 lt from 3.72 lt. The price of Indian rapeseed meal plunged from $278 in April 2024 to $209 by mid-April 2025. Meanwhile, the international price for rapeseed meal (ex-Hamburg) is at $335, indicating a price gap India could leverage if export restrictions ease—especially to China, which is facing limited supplies from Canada and the EU.

Soyabean meal remained stable with 21.27 lt exported, supported by steady European demand for India’s non-GM variety. However, overall global prices for soyameal also declined—from $491 to $356 per tonne.

SEA Executive Director BV Mehta emphasized the need to lift the ban on de-oiled rice bran (DORB) exports. Prices have fallen below ?8,000 per tonne due to weak domestic demand and increased availability of alternative feedstock like DDGS. Before the ban, India exported 4-5 lt annually, primarily to Vietnam and Bangladesh.

Among top importers, Bangladesh led with 7.42 lt, followed by South Korea (6.99 lt), and Thailand (4.48 lt).

Finally

India’s oilmeal export sector faces challenges from falling prices but has opportunities in global markets like China—if trade policies align with emerging demand shifts.

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