US industry optimistic about getting Indian market access for its soyabean
Jim Sutter, CEO, US Soybean Export Council
The US soyabean industry is “cautiously optimistic” that India will provide market access for its produce and would like the import duty to be “as low as possible”.
It is of the view that India could import soyabeans and produce more oil and oilmeal, instead of importing a huge quantity of cooking oils annually. It also does not think there could be any issue with genetically modified (GM) soyabeans.
Jim Sutter, CEO, US Soybean Export Council (USSEC), told a group of visiting journalists at SUSTAINASUMMIT in Colombo that the Donald Trump administration was keen on “free, fair and open trading” with its partners and the industry “liked the idea”.
Kevin Roepke, Regional Director—South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, USSEC, said the council sees tremendous potential for its soyabean exports to India and has been working with New Delhi since 1996.
Focus on feed and food
The USSEC, in particular, is focusing on the Indian poultry, dairy, aquaculture, and food and feed products sector as a potential target for its soybeans.
Though the US is seeking market access for its soyabeans, it has not made any estimate on how much it would export to India, said Roepke.
Stan Born, Director, American Soybean Association, said the US is looking to increase soyabean exports to South-East and South Asia, particularly India, after China stopped buying the oilseed following its tariff dispute with Washington.
“We are looking at more business from South Asia, including feed. We have contacted many countries and are focusing on at least 19 countries,” he said.
Time till July 10
Joey Boudreaux, Director, United Soybean Board, said China’s soybean import demand is almost 110 million tonnes (mt), but Brazil, which has emerged as the largest export of the oilseed to Beijing, produces only 105 mt.
“Not all that Brazil produces can enter China. We think that Sinograin (China’s official agency for grain reserves) could purchase soyabeans from the US and pay the duty. Ultimately, it is a government-to-government payment,” he said.
According to data, Brazil exported a little over 75 million tonnes (2023-24) of soyabeans to China. The US shipped out 21 million tonnes. Trade analysts say the US will have to find a market for these.
However, Sutter said there is time till July 10 for the tariffs to come into effect, and officials from both nations were holding talks. One round of talks is scheduled this weekend.
Improve capacity utilisation
He said India imports over 16 mt of edible oil, but it cannot buy soyabean oil from the US since Washington’s production is limited. “India can import soyabeans from the US, crush them for oil and use the deoiled cake as meal for various sectors,” the USSEC CEO said.
He said such imports can help increase the capacity utilisation of Indian crushing units. Currently, the capacity is being underutilised due to the unavailability of oilseeds.
The US soyabean industry does not see any problem with growing genetically-modified (GM) soyabean. In particular, it is not worried about the pending petitions against GM crops, particularly mustard, in the Supreme Court.
In July 20204, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict in response to a slew of writs against GM mustard. The bench, however, asked the Centre to formulate a national policy for research, cultivation, trade and commerce.
Most-debated subject
Roepke said the GMO issue has been the most debated subject. “GMO is one of the most researched subjects, and there has been nothing adverse that has come out of these,” he said.
India has been using crushed GM cottonseed in various sectors, such as poultry. The dairy industry is also using it. The USSEC has now reached out to the dairy sector for the use of soymeal as feed.
The US soybean industry leaders said sustainability has taken precedence over the GMO issue, and the latter adds a halo to the produce.
(The writer was in Colombo at the invitation of USSEC)
Published on May 9, 2025
