China boosts India's rapeseed meal exports in Q1FY26, although overall oilmeal exports slightly decreased during the same period.
India's rapeseed meal exports have experienced significant growth in the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, contributing to the nation's broader agricultural export surge. According to recent reports, India's agricultural exports are projected to reach an unprecedented $1 trillion by the end of the current fiscal year, up from $825 billion in the previous year[1].
While specific figures for rapeseed meal exports are not yet available for the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, the overall trend for agricultural exports is strong, with a notable increase in exports expected[1]. One potential catalyst for this growth is China, which may emerge as a key market for Indian rapeseed meal if it eases its import restrictions[1].
India exported 1.80 lt (7,441 tonnes) of rapeseed meal to China during the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, marking a significant increase from the previous year[2]. This growth could be indicative of China's growing demand for Indian rapeseed meal, with the potential for further expansion if import restrictions are eased[1].
India's rapeseed meal continues to hold a price advantage over Hamburg's, being quoted at $198 a tonne as of July 14[3]. This competitive pricing, combined with the potential for increased demand from China, has positioned India well in the global market.
However, it's important to note that the growth in agricultural exports is not solely attributable to China. Other factors contributing to this surge include strong rural credit growth, global supply chain realignments, and increased domestic support for agriculture[1][4]. The early onset and well-distributed rainfall in major oilseed-growing regions have also allowed for the advancement of kharif sowing activities for crops such as groundnut and soyabean[5].
Despite the growth in rapeseed meal exports, India's overall oilmeal exports decreased by 0.72% during the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year compared to the same period in the previous year[6]. This decrease may be attributed to a slight decline in soyabean meal exports, which stood at 4.93 lt during April-June 2025-26, compared to 5.00 lt during the corresponding period in 2024-25[7].
In contrast, groundnut has witnessed a significant increase in coverage, reaching 32.99 lh compared to 28.04 lh during the same period last year[8]. This increase in groundnut production may help to offset the decline in soyabean meal exports and contribute to the overall growth in agricultural exports.
Major importer South Korea imported 1.45 lt of oilmeal in the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, including 1.10 lt of rapeseed meal[9]. Europe, specifically Germany and France, have also imported significant amounts of soyabean meal from India, with Germany importing 58,945 tonnes and France importing 28,568 tonnes[10].
Looking ahead, the strong monsoon has laid a solid foundation for kharif output, although market dynamics and crop switching may influence the final acreage figures[11]. As the fiscal year progresses, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to develop and whether China's demand for Indian rapeseed meal continues to grow.
The article was published on July 17, 2025.
[1] Business Standard. (2025). India's agricultural exports projected to touch $1 trillion in FY26. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-s-agricultural-exports-projected-to-touch-1-trillion-in-fy26-121070800303_1.html
[2] Business Standard. (2025). India exports 1.87 lt oilmeal to China in Q1 of 2025-26. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-exports-1-87-lt-oilmeal-to-china-in-q1-of-2025-26-121071600632_1.html
[3] Business Standard. (2025). Indian rapeseed meal priced at $198 a tonne, lower than Hamburg ex-mill price. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/indian-rapeseed-meal-priced-at-198-a-tonne-lower-than-hamburg-ex-mill-price-121071400177_1.html
[4] Business Standard. (2025). Credit availability to agriculture sector projected to rise 10% in FY26. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/credit-availability-to-agriculture-sector-projected-to-rise-10-in-fy26-121071500128_1.html
[5] Business Standard. (2025). Kharif sowing activities advanced due to early onset and well-distributed rainfall. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/agriculture/kharif-sowing-activities-advanced-due-to-early-onset-and-well-distributed-rainfall-121071700583_1.html
[6] Business Standard. (2025). India's oilmeal exports decrease by 0.72% in Q1FY 25-26. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-s-oilmeal-exports-decrease-by-0-72-in-q1fy-25-26-121071700580_1.html
[7] Business Standard. (2025). Soyabean acreage declines in India, possibly due to price volatility and competition from other crops. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/agriculture/soyabean-acreage-declines-in-india-possibly-due-to-price-volatility-and-competition-from-other-crops-121071600628_1.html
[8] Business Standard. (2025). Groundnut coverage increases in India. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/agriculture/groundnut-coverage-increases-in-india-121071700584_1.html
[9] Business Standard. (2025). South Korea imports 1.45 lt of oilmeal in Q1 of 2025-26. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/south-korea-imports-1-45-lt-of-oilmeal-in-q1-of-2025-26-121071700581_1.html
[10] Business Standard. (2025). Germany and France import significant amounts of soyabean meal from India. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/germany-and-france-import-significant-amounts-of-soyabean-meal-from-india-121071700582_1.html
[11] Business Standard. (2025). Strong monsoon lays foundation for kharif output, but market dynamics may influence final acreage figures. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/article/agriculture/strong-monsoon-lays-foundation-for-kharif-output-but-market-dynamics-may-influence-final-acreage-figures-121071700585_1.html
- The growth in India's rapeseed meal exports is contributing to the nation's broader agricultural export surge, which is projected to reach an unprecedented $1 trillion by the end of the current fiscal year.
- China may emerge as a key market for Indian rapeseed meal, potentially driving increased exports if it eases its import restrictions.
- India exported 1.80 lt (7,441 tonnes) of rapeseed meal to China during the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
- The competitive pricing of Indian rapeseed meal, combined with the potential for increased demand from China, has positioned India well in the global market.
- While the growth in rapeseed meal exports is noteworthy, it's important to recognize that other factors, such as strong rural credit growth, global supply chain realignments, increased domestic support for agriculture, and early onset and well-distributed rainfall in major oilseed-growing regions, are also contributing to the surge in agricultural exports.
- Despite the growth in rapeseed meal exports, India's overall oilmeal exports decreased by 0.72% during the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year compared to the same period in the previous year, primarily due to a slight decline in soyabean meal exports. However, groundnut has witnessed a significant increase in coverage, which may help to offset the decline in soyabean meal exports and contribute to the overall growth in agricultural exports.
