The soyabean processing industry, however, opposes import of soyabean meal, claiming local availability and saying that it could discourage domestic farmers from expanding planting of the oilseed crop.
In a letter to the Centre, the Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association of India said soaring soybean and maize prices are hurting livestock producers. ET has seen a copy of the letter sent recently.
The price spike has also curbed exports of soyabean meal, as it made Indian supplies uncompetitive globally, and triggered higher imports of non-genetically modified soybeans from Africa. Traders attributed lower local production, rising edible oil prices and concerns over El Nino for the price increase.
“We have requested the government to allow import of 15 lakh tonnes of soyabean meal on the tariff rate quota basis as poultry farmers are making a loss due to high prices of feed like soyabean and maize,” said Divya Kumar Gulati, president of the association.
The price of soyabean meal has increased by about 45% in the last two months, as India’s domestic production in 2025-26 is estimated to have declined to 10.5 million tonnes from 12.5 million tonnes in the previous year, down by about 16%.
Prices, though, have come down in the past few days to ₹57-58 per kg from ₹63-64.