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The Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association (CLFMA) of India has expressed concern over the growing shortage of soybean meal (SBM), a critical protein ingredient used in animal feed, which is leading to a sharp rise in feed costs and creating significant challenges for India’s poultry, aquaculture and livestock sectors. Soybean meal prices have risen by over 40 per cent in recent weeks to around Rs 65-66 per kg, increasing the cost of feed production and impacting farmers across the animal protein value chain.

Soybean meal constitutes a vital component of nutritionally balanced feed formulations and plays a crucial role in ensuring productivity, animal health and farm profitability. The current supply constraints and rising prices are placing immense pressure on feed manufacturers and farmers alike, threatening the competitiveness and sustainability of India’s animal protein value chain.

The concern is particularly acute for the aquaculture sector, where feed accounts for nearly 50-60 per cent of production costs. As India continues to strengthen its position as a global seafood supplier, ensuring access to affordable, high-quality feed ingredients has become increasingly important.

Commenting on the issue, Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairperson, CLFMA of India, said: “India’s poultry, aquaculture and livestock sectors are critical contributors to food security, rural livelihoods and exports. A sustained shortage of soybean meal and escalating feed costs can adversely impact farm productivity and profitability across the value chain. As India sets its sights on becoming a global seafood export powerhouse, ensuring access to high-quality and affordable feed ingredients must become a national priority. CLFMA urges all stakeholders to work together towards a balanced, long-term solution that protects farmers’ interests while strengthening the country’s feed and animal agriculture ecosystem.”

The issue assumes even greater significance in light of the Government of India’s vision to significantly expand seafood exports. Recently, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India has the potential to increase seafood exports to $ 30 billion over the next five years, nearly 2.5 times current levels. Achieving this ambitious target will require a strong and resilient feed ecosystem that can consistently support productivity, quality standards and export competitiveness.

As the apex industry body representing feed manufacturers and allied stakeholders, CLFMA of India believes that proactive interventions are required to ensure adequate availability of soybean meal and support farmers who form the backbone of India’s food and aquaculture economy.

To address the emerging challenge, CLFMA recommends;

Ensure balanced availability of soybean meal for domestic feed manufacturing while safeguarding the interests of soybean growers.

Promote investments in soybean processing and value-chain infrastructure to improve supply efficiency.

Strengthen collaboration between policymakers, farmer bodies, processors and feed manufacturers to develop a long-term protein security roadmap.

Facilitate a stable and predictable policy environment that supports feed affordability and sectoral growth.

Establish mechanisms to monitor soybean meal availability and price volatility to prevent supply disruptions.

CLFMA believes that ensuring feed security today will be fundamental to achieving India’s future goals in livestock production, aquaculture growth, export expansion and nutritional security.