SOPA Urges Commerce Minister to Halt GM Soybean Meal Imports
The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has made a formal appeal to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, urging the government to refrain from permitting the import of genetically modified (GM) soybean meal. The association, based in Indore, has issued a stark warning that such a move could inflict significant damage on Indian farmers, lead to substantial foreign exchange outflows, and undermine the stability of the domestic edible oil ecosystem.
Concerns Over Domestic Agriculture and Forex Drain
In a detailed representation submitted to the Centre, SOPA acknowledged that the poultry industry's demand for imports is driven by high domestic prices. However, the association strongly argued that allowing imports when there is adequate local supply would severely compromise the long-term health of India's agriculture sector. SOPA emphasized that soybean meal pricing is inherently market-driven, closely tied to raw soybean costs and international soybean oil prices, with raw soybeans constituting approximately 96 percent of production expenses.
SOPA Chairman Davish Jain stated, "Permitting imports of a commodity that is sufficiently available domestically would be detrimental to millions of farmers and the broader agricultural value chain. The country is already grappling with the consequences of heavy reliance on edible oil imports. Allowing soybean meal imports could trigger avoidable foreign exchange outflows amounting to billions of dollars, while simultaneously exacerbating the trade deficit."
Comfortable Supply Position for 2025-26
The association provided data indicating that India's supply position for the 2025-26 marketing year remains robust. There is adequate domestic availability to meet current demand, with an estimated carry-forward stock of around three lakh tonnes, which clearly indicates no physical shortage in the market. SOPA cautioned that encouraging imports merely for short-term price relief could have severe long-term repercussions.
Such a policy might discourage soybean cultivation, ultimately harming processors, farmers, and allied industries that depend on the domestic soybean economy. The association's plea underscores the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes the sustainability of India's agricultural framework over temporary market fluctuations.
