India's soybean output set to dip 2% despite regional production gains

India's soybean production is expected to contract by 2.11 per cent during the ongoing kharif season, the Soybean Processors Association of India said Saturday, citing drought-like conditions across several agricultural regions. The association's first crop estimate places national output at 107.93 lakh tonnes, down from the previous season's levels, though the decline remains modest.

Regional variations will determine the overall impact, with the association noting that increased production in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will largely cushion losses incurred elsewhere. However, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana have experienced significant crop damage, with soybean cultivation across 7.02 lakh hectares in these three states affected by prolonged dry spells and moisture deficiency during critical growth stages.

As a key oilseed crop, soybean plays an essential role in India's agricultural economy, supplying domestic cooking oil while serving as a crucial protein base for the livestock and poultry sectors. The assessment was presented during the closing session of the Soybean Processors Association's international conference in Indore, underscoring ongoing weather challenges facing Indian oilseed producers during the current growing season.