India’s oilmeal exports rebounded strongly in May 2026, rising 18.41% year on year to 3.73 lakh tonnes, supported primarily by increased shipments of rapeseed meal to Asian markets, particularly China.
The May performance marks a significant recovery for the sector after a weak start to the financial year. Oilmeal shipments had fallen sharply in April amid shipping disruptions, higher freight costs and intense competition from South American suppliers.
Rapeseed meal emerged as the main growth driver, with China becoming an important destination for Indian supplies. Trade-flow data for May also shows India-China as the largest reported corridor for canola meal shipments, underlining the growing importance of the Chinese market.
In contrast, soybean meal exports remain under pressure. Indian suppliers are facing strong price competition from Brazil and Argentina, whose large soybean crops and competitive export pricing have reduced India’s ability to capture overseas demand.
Despite the improvement in May, cumulative exports for April-May 2026 remained 5.37% lower at 7.39 lakh tonnes, compared with 7.81 lakh tonnes during the corresponding period a year earlier. The decline reflects the impact of the weak April performance.
Logistics remain another challenge for Indian oilmeal exporters. Higher freight rates and disruptions affecting shipping routes, including the Red Sea, have increased transit costs and affected the competitiveness of Indian cargo in distant markets.
The recovery in rapeseed meal shipments nevertheless provides some support to India’s broader agricultural export sector. Government trade data also shows that oilmeal exports increased 24.61% in value terms in May 2026, as part of a broader rise in India’s merchandise exports.
For exporters, demand from China and other Asian feed markets will remain a key factor in determining shipment volumes in the coming months. Global oilmeal prices, South American soybean availability, domestic oilseed production and international freight costs are also expected to influence India’s export competitiveness.
The May rebound highlights the growing role of rapeseed meal in India’s oilmeal export basket, even as soybean meal continues to face challenging international market conditions. Sustained demand from Asian buyers could help the sector regain momentum during the remainder of the financial year.