SOPA opposes GM soymeal imports, says domestic supply is ample

Trade body Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has urged the Government not to allow import of genetically modified soyabean meal. It has also requested the government not to extend the zero duty non-GM soyabean import from all African countries, stating that there’s adequate domestic supply and that imports would depress prices hurting farmers income.

SOPA’s request follows the All-India Poultry Breeders Association’s recent representation to the Government seeking permission to import 30 lakh tonnes of GM soyabean meal at zero duty. The poultry association sought the extension of zero duty import of non-GM soyabean to all the African countries and not just the least developed countries at present.

SOPA, in a representation to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the poultry sector demands were not in the interest of either the Indian soya processing industry or the soyabean farmers as the domestic supply is adequate and that there is no shortage, while the current firm trend witnessed in prices does not justify imports.

SOPA estimates the domestic soyameal availability at 81.72 lakh tonnes against the estimate for the 2026-27 (Oct-Sept) oil year, against an estimated total demand of 80 lakh tonnes, leaving a closing carry-forward of 1.72 lakh tonne as on Sept 30, 2027.

In addition, the closing stock of soyabean is estimated at 8.82 lakh tonnes, representing nearly 7 lakh tonnes of meal equivalent, which can be crushed whenever the market requires. “The effective buffer is, therefore, close to 9 lakh tonnes of soymeal.

The supply is adequate. There is no shortage --- there is a price differential, and that is a different matter entirely,” SOPA said. “The current price movement is more sentimental than fundamental. We saw this earlier this year when prices suddenly moved beyond Rs.

7,500 per quintal and then dropped back. If the present rise is driven by sentiment, it will correct on its own as arrivals and fundametals assert themselves. If it reflects a genuinely smaller crop, it is precisely the price signal that farmers need and the market performing its intended function,” SOPA said.

SOPA maintained that imports are warranted only when domestic supply is insufficient, arguing that soybean and soymeal availability will remain adequate to meet poultry feed demand, even if the crop is smaller, due to lower soymeal exports and soybean imports already factored into the supply estimates.

Further, the quantity of soyabean meal demanded by the poultry industry is disproportionate, SOPA said. SOPA estimates soymeal demand from poultry and aquaculture at 62.43 lakh tonnes after accounting for DDGS substitution.

Total demand, including exports and food use, is about 80 lakh tonne against availability of 81.72 lakh tonnes, with nearly 7 lakh tonnes of additional meal-equivalent stocks. It argued that importing 30 lakh tonnes of GM soymeal is unnecessary and could depress domestic prices, hurting farmers.

Further, SOPA said the zero-duty import of soybean should not be extended to all African countries. The existing concession to the Least Developed Countries is sufficient and appropriate, and should not be converted into a general tariff preference, it said.