Oilmeal exports dip 52% on low China demand

Oilmeal exports plunged 52 per cent at 122,850 tonnes in August compared with 254,000 tonnes in the year-ago month because of lower Chinese imports from India, according to data compiled by the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA).

However, the intensity of decline was slightly lower at 12.36 per cent compared with the exports in July at 140,175 tonnes.

The overall oilmeal exports between April and August saw an 18 per cent fall at 1,079,625 tonnes compared with 1,309,150 tonnes in the same period last year. The drop was largely attributed to a decrease in export of soymeal from 796,500 tonnes to 538,825 tonnes and groundnut meal from 43,100 tonnes to 4,775 tonnes during the period under review. 

NEW LOWS Export of oilmeals (in tonnes)
Months	2006	2007	% Chng
April	3,99,225	4,32,950	8
May	2,56,325	2,30,025	-10
June	2,19,650	1,53,625	-30
July	1,79,950	1,40,175	-22
August	2,54,000	1,22,850	-52
Total	13,09,150	10,79,625	-18

Exports to China were disappointing at a mere 65,175 tonnes due to better availability of local oilmeals in that country.

Bucking the trend, castor meal exports jumped to 134,950 tonnes from 49,350 tonnes, thanks to South Korean buying. There was also a spurt in rice bran exports at 79,200 tonnes from 61,900 tonnes last year.

Vietnam has increased imports of oilmeals from India to 382,600 tonnes, consisting of 277,950 tonnes of soymeal, 24,975 tonnes of rapeseed meal and 79,200 tonnes of rice bran extraction.

South Korea imported 273,200 tonnes from India, accounting for 158,625 tonnes of rapeseed meal, 102,425 tonnes of castorseed meal and 12,150 tonnes of soymeal.

Japan's total oilmeal imports rose to 106,425 tonnes, making up 102,050 tonnes of soymeal and 4,375 tonnes of rapeseed meal.

Kandla reported oilmeal exports of 721,800 tonnes (67 per cent), followed by Mumbai at 173,050 tonnes (16 per cent), Kakinada 84,225 tonnes (8 per cent) and Vizag 35,900 tonnes (3 per cent).