India’s Soyabean Output May Decline 2.11 pc to 107.93 Lakh Tonnes in Kharif 2026: SOPA

India’s soyabean production is estimated to decline by 2.11% during the 2026 kharif season to 107.93 lakh tonnes, compared with 110.26 lakh tonnes in the previous season, according to the first crop estimate released by the Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA).

SOPA released the estimate during the concluding session of its international soyabean conference in Indore. According to the association, prolonged dry conditions and inadequate soil moisture during critical stages of crop growth have affected production prospects in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana. However, improved yields in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are expected to partly offset the losses.

Maharashtra’s Soyabean Output May Fall 33.2%

Soyabean production in Maharashtra is projected to decline by 33.2% to 34.88 lakh tonnes, according to SOPA. Maharashtra is one of India’s major soyabean-producing states, and the expected decline has weighed on the national production estimate.

The association estimates that soyabean crops across a combined area of 7.02 lakh hectares in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana were completely destroyed and could not be harvested. Prolonged rainfall deficiency and inadequate soil moisture contributed to the damage in these states.

Madhya Pradesh Output May Rise 32.2%

Soyabean production in Madhya Pradesh is projected to increase to 57.16 lakh tonnes, up 32.2% from 43.24 lakh tonnes in the previous year. Madhya Pradesh is India’s largest soyabean-producing state.

According to SOPA’s estimates, the area under soyabean cultivation in the state increased from 48.64 lakh hectares last year to 52.09 lakh hectares in the 2026 kharif season. Average productivity is also projected to rise from 889 kg per hectare to 1,108 kg per hectare.

Rajasthan is also expected to record a significant increase in soyabean output. Production in the state is projected to rise by 48.2% to 9.47 lakh tonnes.

SOPA Executive Director D. N. Pathak said improved production in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan was expected to compensate substantially for the losses in Maharashtra.

Sown Area Expands, but Harvestable Area Shrinks

According to SOPA, the area under soyabean cultivation across India increased to 117.73 lakh hectares in the 2026 kharif season, compared with 112.14 lakh hectares in 2025. This represents an increase of approximately 5%.

However, drought conditions and inadequate soil moisture affected 7.76 lakh hectares, reducing the estimated harvestable area to 109.98 lakh hectares.

SOPA estimates average productivity across the harvestable area at 981 kg per hectare, compared with 983 kg per hectare in the previous kharif season. Despite the expansion in the sown area, the impact on harvestable acreage and productivity is expected to result in a decline in total production.

SOPA’s estimate of the area under soyabean cultivation is lower than the Agriculture Ministry’s estimate of 123.16 lakh hectares. The difference highlights the variation between the estimates released by the industry association and the government.