Oilmeal exports increased three per cent in December to 5,86,437 tonnes from 5,67,199 tonnes in the same period a year ago as demand for rapeseed meal rose significantly.
Export of oilmeals in the first three quarters of this fiscal was up seven per cent at 31,67,155 tonnes against 29,58,218 tonnes in the same period a year ago.
It has been a roller-coaster ride for oilmeal exports in the last three quarters.
The depreciation in the rupee also boosted exports in the last two quarters.
While soyameal prices increased marginally in December to $559 (Rs 34,552) a tonne against $557 (Rs 34,428) a tonne in November, rapeseed meal remained unchanged at $242 and castorseed was up at $108 a tonne ($97 a tonne).
Between April and December, oilmeal import by South Korea has been reported at 8,21,811 tonnes against 6,47,331 tonnes last year consisting of 3,88,148 tonnes of rapemeal, 3,81,416 tonnes of castormeal and 52,247 tonnes of soyameal.
India is fast losing its share in the Vietnam market due to stiff competition from other origins and increased availability from domestic crushing.
Shipments to Vietnam more than halved to 1,41,479 tonnes (3,86,836 tonnes) while to Indonesia, too, they dropped 48 per cent at 76,604 tonnes (1,46,323 tonnes). Japan imported 2,37,386 tonnes (3,74,226 tonnes) consisting of 3,840 tonnes rapemeal, 833 tonnes castormeal and 2,32,713 tonnes soyameal.
Iran doubled its import to 9,23,779 tonnes (4,93,669 tonnes), including 9,21,117 tonnes of soyameal, and 2,662 tonnes of rapemeal. Thailand imported 2,35,372 tonnes (2,31,199 tonnes) oilmeals, consisting 1,03,028 tonnes of soyameal and 1,32,344 tonnes of rapemeal.
Europe turned out to be a bigger market for Indian non-GMO soyameal.
Europe imported 2,40,045 tonnes compared with 1,20,731 tonnes of last year.