India’s oilmeal exports are likely to be over 4.5 million tonnes (mt), of which rapeseed meal accounts for 2.5 million tonnes and soybean meal for 1.5 million tonnes during the current fiscal. According to the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), more than 4.34 million tonnes of oil-free rice bran is expected to be exported despite the ban. “The cumulative export of all oilmeal till November (in the current fiscal) has increased by about 21 per cent over the previous period and crossed 28,000 tonnes”, SEA director Ajay Jhunjhunwala said. Soybean shipments increased as India gained competitive advantage while Argentina fell short. “Also, the export of rapeseed meal in the last financial year was a record of 2.30 million tonnes, and the trend will continue this year with the export of about 1.6 million tonnes till November. It is likely to surpass last year’s export record.The export of castor flour is in good condition and is one step higher than last year’s level.
Rabi sowing Jhunjhunwala said that oilseeds in the current rabi season at 99.11 lakh hectares (lh) exceeded the five-year average of 84.45 lh and last year’s 98.1 lh. Canola/mustard leads the pack with a spread of 92.45 lh, surpassing the five-year average area of 73 lh and 90.16 lh a year ago.The area has increased mainly in Uttar Pradesh, the SEA president said, adding that the area under groundnut, sunflower, safflower and sesame seeds has however decreased now. Agro-climatic conditions during the rabi season are expected to be close to normal, indicating a promising rabi oil crop, Referring to the export ban on de oiled rice bran, Jhunjhunwala said that the Center has extended the ban despite the industry’s plea that the export ban does not reduce the prices of dairy products.
Solvent extraction equipment is losing a carefully developed export market, Refined oil tariff differential With the difference between crude oil and refined edible oil tariffs of only 8.25 percent, the import of refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm oil increased twice in November compared to October, according to the director of KSH. “This is at the expense of our manufacturing industry and benefits exporting countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. The association urged the government to raise the import duty on refined edible oils to at least 15 percent higher than crude oil so that our domestic industry has a level playing field.