13 June 2026, Mumbai: The Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association of India (CLFMA) has highlighted concerns over the shortage of soybean meal (SBM), a key protein ingredient in animal feed, warning that rising prices are increasing production costs and placing pressure on the poultry, aquaculture and livestock sectors.
According to the association, soybean meal prices have increased by more than 40 percent in recent weeks, reaching approximately ₹65–66 per kg. The surge is raising feed manufacturing costs and affecting farmers across the animal protein value chain.
Soybean meal is a major component of feed formulations and plays an important role in supporting animal nutrition, productivity and farm economics. CLFMA noted that the current supply constraints could affect the competitiveness of India’s animal agriculture industries if not addressed.
The impact is particularly significant for aquaculture, where feed typically represents 50–60 percent of production costs. As India seeks to expand its seafood exports, access to reliable and competitively priced feed ingredients will be essential to maintaining productivity and export competitiveness.
“India’s poultry, aquaculture and livestock sectors contribute significantly to food security, rural incomes and exports. Continued shortages of soybean meal and higher feed costs can affect productivity and profitability across the value chain,” said Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairperson of Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association of India. “As India pursues ambitious growth targets for seafood exports, ensuring the availability of quality and affordable feed ingredients must remain a priority. Industry stakeholders need to work together on long-term solutions that support farmers and strengthen the feed ecosystem.”
The issue gains importance as India aims to expand its seafood exports significantly. Recently, Piyush Goyal stated that the country has the potential to increase seafood exports to USD 30 billion over the next five years. Industry stakeholders believe that achieving this target will require a resilient feed supply chain capable of supporting production growth, quality standards and global market competitiveness.
As the apex body representing feed manufacturers and allied stakeholders, CLFMA has called for measures to improve soybean meal availability and strengthen feed security. The association has recommended ensuring adequate domestic supplies of soybean meal while balancing the interests of soybean growers, promoting investment in soybean processing and supply-chain infrastructure, strengthening collaboration among policymakers, farmer organisations, processors and feed manufacturers, and creating mechanisms to monitor availability and price volatility.
CLFMA said that strengthening feed security will be critical to supporting future growth in livestock production, aquaculture, exports and food security.
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