Rapeseed remains India’s top oilseed for second year in a row

Rapeseed has remained India’s leading oilseed crop for the second consecutive year, surpassing soybeans in production. According to the USDA, farmers continue to shift toward more profitable crops, strengthening rapeseed’s position in the country’s cropping structure.

In the 2026/27 season, total oilseed production is forecast at 41 million tonnes, including 12.1 million tonnes of rapeseed and 10.35 million tonnes of soybeans. Rapeseed output is expected to rise by 2%, supported by strong prices and the adoption of high-yield varieties, while soybean production is projected to decline for the second consecutive year, down 3% due to weak profitability.

Total oilmeal production is estimated at 20.1 million tonnes, broadly in line with the current season. However, soybean meal consumption is expected to fall by 7% as livestock producers shift to more cost-effective feed alternatives, while rapeseed and peanut meal output is projected to increase by around 3%.

Meal exports are set to grow, with soybean meal shipments expected to rise by 13% due to sustained European demand for non-GMO products, while rapeseed meal exports are forecast to increase by 10%, with China likely to remain the key importer.

India’s vegetable oil production is projected at 9.5 million tonnes, slightly higher than the previous year. Growth is driven by a shift toward oilseeds with higher oil extraction rates, including rapeseed, coconut, and peanuts. However, the country will continue to rely on imports to meet around two-thirds of its vegetable oil demand.