SOPA urges Centre to protect Indian farmers’ interests in India-USA trade talks

Indore(Team Newsbuddy): The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has issued a strong appeal to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, calling on the government to safeguard India’s soybean and edible oil sectors during the ongoing India-USA Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations. SOPA cautioned that any reduction in import duties or allowing concessional imports from the USA could jeopardize the livelihoods of 10 million Indian soybean farmers and hinder India’s push for self-reliance in edible oils. In a letter dated March 10, 2025, SOPA firmly recommended retaining the current import duties on soybeans, soybean oil, and soybean meal, warning that a reduction in these duties could result in a flood of low-cost imports, negatively affecting domestic soybean production. With India already dependent on imports for more than 60% of its edible oil requirements, SOPA stressed that concessional imports could derail the objectives of the National Mission on Edible Oils (Oilseeds).
To support growth in India’s food processing industry and address the country’s protein deficiency, SOPA suggested exploring concessional duty arrangements for value-added soy products such as soy protein isolates and concentrates. The association further urged the Centre to address the steep countervailing duty of 283.91% imposed by the USA on organic soybean meal imports from India, which has significantly impacted Indian exporters.
Highlighting agriculture’s critical role in India’s socio-economic stability, SOPA emphasized that protecting domestic farmers from concessional imports is essential to ensuring food security, economic resilience, and sustainable development. Dr. Davish Jain expressed confidence that the government would prioritize the interests of Indian farmers and adopt a balanced trade strategy to safeguard India’s soybean and edible oil industries.