India's soymeal export set for 26-year low as Iran buys less

India's soymeal exports are set to hit a 26-year low in the year ending March as easing of sanctions against Iran allows the key buyer to opt for cheaper South American supplies, sector officials said.

Lower Indian sales could underpin Chicago soymeal futures , which fell almost 17 per cent in 2014, while weak export demand could drag on domestic soybean prices. The oilseed is crushed to produce soyoil and the animal feed.

India's 2014/15 soymeal export could hit 800,000 tonnes, lowest since 1988/89, Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd, the country's biggest soybean processor, told Reuters in an email.

Davish Jain, chairman of the Soybean Processors Association of India, also expects shipment to drop to around 800,000, from 2.8 million tonnes a year ago, due to higher prices.

Even after a 25 per cent drop in Indian soybean futures since sowing began in June, soymeal from the country, according to Jain, costs 5-10 per cent more than supplies from Argentina and Brazil.

As a result, top buyers of Indian soymeal, such as Iran and Japan, are turning away.

Taking advantage of curbs on dollar trade with Teheran amid sanctions over the latter's disputed nuclear programme, India had built a monopoly in soymeal trade there and commanded higher prices.

India used to settle part of its oil debt in rupees that Iran then used to buy other goods from India.

But a deal between Iran and western powers in November 2013 that eased some of the sanctions broke India's.

"Since sanctions have eased, Iran is not ready to pay a premium over global prices," said Jain. "It has been buying soymeal from South American countries at lower prices." India exported 140,400 tonnes to Iran over April to December last year, versus record shipments of 1.23 million tonnes in 2013/14.

Japan is buying soymeal from China and Brazil, an official at Japan Feed Trade Association said.

India's exports to Japan were 15,337 tonnes over April to December, versus a total 245,991 tonnes in 2013/14.