India's Soybean Imports Reach Record 1.1 Million Tonnes in 2025-26 Marketing Season

Shantanu Thakur

29 Oct 2026

2 Min

India's soybean imports reached an all-time high of 1.1 million metric tonnes in the 2025-26 marketing season, up from about 2,000 tonnes the season before, according to figures from the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) reported by Reuters. Higher domestic soybean prices pushed processors to buy more from abroad. Niger became the biggest supplier, with traders estimating shipments of over 430,000 tonnes.

Why Imports Rose

The rise in domestic soybean prices was the most significant factor. Processing units turned to imports as long as they remained price-competitive after transport costs and tariffs. The jump signals a major change in how the industry sources soybeans. Reasons cited:

Higher domestic prices pushed processors to look for foreign suppliers.
India permits imports of only non-GM soybeans.
Non-GM soybeans are supplied by few countries, such as Niger, Benin, Togo and Nigeria.

Niger Is the Top Supplier

Niger emerged as the top exporter of soybeans to India in the 2025-26 marketing season, with more than 430,000 tonnes shipped in the year ending 30 September 2026. Reuters reported that Indian customs officials were investigating the origin of some shipments declared as from Niger, amid concerns that they may actually have come from Nigeria because of import tariffs.

Soymeal Exports Fall

Despite the surge in soybean imports, India's soymeal exports fell in 2025-26. SOPA noted that exports roughly halved to around 1 million tonnes. Soymeal is what remains after soybeans are processed for oil and is a protein source used in animal feed.

Static Facts

Soybean (Glycine max) is an oilseed leguminous crop grown for its oil and high-protein meal, used for edible oil and animal feed.
It is mainly a kharif crop in India, planted with the arrival of monsoons.
Key uses: soybean oil, soymeal, food products and industrial uses.
It is one of India's important oilseed crops, along with rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, sunflower and sesame.
SOPA represents the interests of soybean processors and traders.

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