Classification
Product TypeByproduct
Product FormMeal (solvent-extracted, defatted)
Industry PositionOilseed Crushing Byproduct / Feed Ingredient
Market
Soybean meal in India is produced as a co-product of domestic soybean crushing and is used mainly as a protein ingredient in animal feed (including poultry and fish feed), with some use in soy food products. Soybean production is concentrated in central and western states—especially Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra—with Rajasthan also among major producing states that underpin the crushing base. India exports soybean meal when domestic availability and pricing allow; in the 2024–25 oil marketing year (Oct 2024–Sep 2025) exports were reported at 20.23 lakh tonnes, with Germany, France, Nepal, Bangladesh and Kenya among the top destinations. For EU-bound trade, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) increases traceability and due-diligence expectations for soya and derived products, creating a potential market-access choke point ahead of its application timeline.
Market RoleProducer with variable export surplus (exporter when surplus is available)
Domestic RoleMajor animal-feed protein ingredient market (poultry and aquaculture feed) supplied by domestic crushing
Specification
Physical Attributes- Typically traded as defatted (solvent-extracted) soybean meal under India ITC(HS) classification for HS 23040030.
Grades- ITC(HS) 23040030 — Meal of soyabean, solvent extracted (defatted)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Soybean procurement in major producing states → solvent extraction / crushing → meal conditioning/toasting → bagging or bulk dispatch → domestic feed mills and/or export via ports
Temperature- Ambient, dry storage and transport are typical; moisture ingress control is critical to reduce mold and quality deterioration during monsoon conditions.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life and acceptability are sensitive to moisture pickup during storage and transport; exporters typically emphasize dry, covered warehousing and moisture-proof handling.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighEU market access risk: the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) covers soya and derived products and requires deforestation-free proof and due-diligence traceability; inability to provide compliant traceability/documentation can block sales into EU channels once the regulation applies.Implement EU-facing due-diligence workflows (supplier mapping, geolocation/land-use evidence, segregation where needed, and auditable documentation packs) well ahead of the EUDR application dates.
Logistics MediumAs a freight-intensive bulk commodity, soybean meal export margins are exposed to sea freight volatility and disruption, which can quickly erode competitiveness versus large exporters.Use diversified port routings, forward freight planning, and flexible contracting to manage freight shocks.
Price Competitiveness MediumHigh domestic prices can reduce international competitiveness and depress demand, contributing to volatile export volumes year to year.Align export programs with forward sales/hedging and maintain flexibility to pivot between export and domestic feed channels.
Sustainability- EUDR-driven deforestation-free due diligence and plot-level traceability expectations for soy and derived products sold into the EU market
- Supply-chain segregation and documentation to substantiate origin and land-use legality for EU-facing programs
FAQ
Is soybean meal (HS 23040030) restricted for export from India?India’s ITC(HS) Schedule-2 export policy lists HS 23040030 (meal of soyabean, solvent extracted/defatted) as 'Free' for export, meaning exports are generally permitted subject to applicable conditions and buyer-country requirements.
Which Indian regions most commonly underpin soybean meal supply?India’s soybean production base is concentrated in central and western states—especially Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra—with Rajasthan also among major producing states, which together underpin domestic crushing and soybean meal availability.
What is the biggest compliance-driven risk for Indian soybean meal shipments to EU buyers?EU buyers must meet the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements for soya and derived products, including due diligence and traceability to demonstrate the product is deforestation-free and legally produced; gaps in traceability or documentation can prevent placement on the EU market once the rules apply.