The Indian government is exploring the option of blending soyameal with Bharat atta (flour) with the twin objective of supplying protein to a large number of population as well as help to expand domestic consumption of soyameal. This comes amidst decline in soyameal export and large surplus. Cooperative major Nafed has been tasked by an inter-ministerial panel to work out costing and feasibility study, if initially 5 per cent blending is permitted before it is rolled out, sources said.

As soyabean is a key kharif oilseed crop and the government has been focussing to raise its productivity in order to meet the target under National Oilseeds Mission, the processors realise a decent share by selling soymeal, which is a byproduct during processing.

“Soyabean is basically a protein crop with 18-20 per cent oil content and 80-82 per cent soyabean meal, which is used mainly for poultry feed and some quantity for human consumption. In terms of value, it is 35-40 per cent only from oil and 60-65 per cent from soyameal. The price of oil becomes important to support soyameal price. Increasing use of soya-based food is one way to help everyone,” said DN Pathak, Executive Director of Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA).

SOPA plea

Since Bharat atta has been sold by the government at a subsidised rate of ₹30/kg directly to consumers through cooperatives such as Nafed, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar, the government thought of blending soyameal with it, which is also permitted by food safety regulator FSSAI, sources said.

SOPA Chairman Davish Jain in June urged Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to allow transport assistance for soyabean meal exports, similar to those for sugar, to make it competitive in global markets. Jain had also urged Chouhan to reduce railway freight tariff classification from 120 to 90 for soyabean meal exports and offer container and sea freight concessions.

Pointing out that reduction in edible oil duty (in June) aggravated the challenges being faced by soyabean meal exporters, he said domestic consumption of soyabean meal declined due to the widespread use of DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Soluble) in feed. Besides, higher domestic prices have rendered Indian soyameal uncompetitive in international markets.

FSSAI stipulation

Latest data of SOPA show that soyameal export during October 2024-July 2025 dipped to 17.08 lakh tonnes (lt) from 19.24 lt in the year-ago period. Germany, France, Nepal, Bangladesh, Kenya and the Netherlands are some of the top buyers of Indian soyameal.

According to FSSAI, protein rich wheat flour (protein prachur atta) has been defined as a “product obtained by mixing wheat flour with solvent extracted groundnut flour, solvent extracted soya flour and whey protein powder and other edible standardised flour as mentioned in regulations notified under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; either singly or a combination of these, up to an extent of 15 per cent. It shall not contain added flavouring and colouring agents. The product shall be free from abnormal flavours, odours, living insects, visible mould, filth (impurities of animal origins, including dead insects).”

Published on August 13, 2025