The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) expects a 5% decline in soybean sowings this kharif season due to low soybean prices for the past two years. Many farmers are switching to crops like cotton, arhar and maize, which can yield better returns.
Although the monsoon rains were on time, some farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra had to replant soybeans as the seeds did not germinate well. As of June 30, soybeans were sown on 42.98 lakh hectares – much lower than the 117.48 lakh hectares sown last year.
Current market prices for soybeans are still low, despite the government raising the minimum support price (MSP) to ₹5,328 per quintal for the 2025 kharif season, from ₹3,800 to ₹4,350 per quintal. This is ₹436 more than last year,
Farmers are losing confidence in growing soybeans after two years of poor prices. Many are now opting for other crops that can earn them more money.
Last year, India produced about 12.5 million tonnes of soybeans, with an average yield of 1,064 kg per hectare.