Animal Feed

India plays a significant role in the global trade of animal feed ingredients, exporting a variety of products such as soybean meal, corn, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), rice bran, and other oilseed meals. These ingredients are also widely utilized in the domestic market to support India’s growing poultry, cattle, and aquaculture sectors. Below is an elaborate breakdown of India’s exports and domestic usage of these animal feed ingredients, based on available data and insights, tailored for your website to assist feed mills in making informed purchasing decisions.

India’s Export of Animal Feed Ingredients

India’s agricultural exports, including animal feed ingredients, have been steadily growing due to its robust production capacity and competitive pricing. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and other industry reports provide insights into the export trends of key feed ingredients.

1. Soybean Meal

  • Export Overview: Soybean meal is one of India’s top exported animal feed ingredients, valued for its high protein content (typically 46-48%). India exports primarily de-oiled soybean meal (soybean cake or DOC – de-oiled cake) after oil extraction. In FY 2022-23, India exported approximately 1.8 million metric tons (MMT) of soybean meal, according to APEDA data. Major markets include Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand), the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
  • Trends: Exports remained relatively stable in FY 2023-24 but saw a 23% dip between October and February of FY 2024-25, as reported in posts on X and corroborated by industry analyses like those from the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA). This decline is attributed to domestic demand spikes and global competition from Argentina and Brazil.
  • Fact Check: The SEA reported total oilmeal exports (including soybean meal) at 3.933 MMT in FY 2024-25 (up to February), down 12.39% from the previous year, aligning with the observed dip in soybean meal exports during late 2024.

2. Corn (Maize)

  • Export Overview: Corn is a key energy source in animal feed and a significant export commodity for India. In FY 2022-23, India exported around 3.5 MMT of corn, primarily to Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, and Malaysia, per APEDA statistics. Corn exports are driven by surplus production, with India’s maize output reaching 34.6 MMT in 2022-23 (FAO STAT).
  • Trends: Corn exports fluctuate based on domestic demand and global prices. In 2023-24, exports were impacted by rising domestic feed demand, leading to talks of potential export restrictions (though not implemented), as noted in Feed Strategy reports from late 2022.
  • Fact Check: India’s corn exports remain strong but face competition from Ukraine and the U.S. No official ban was enacted, and exports continued into 2025, though volumes may have moderated due to poultry and ethanol industry needs.

3. Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)

  • Export Overview: DDGS, a byproduct of ethanol production, is an emerging export product from India. With the rise in ethanol plants using corn and rice, India’s DDGS production has increased. In FY 2023-24, exports were estimated at 0.2-0.3 MMT, targeting markets like Vietnam, South Korea, and the Middle East, according to industry players like Nutrigo Feeds.
  • Trends: The DDGS export market is growing, driven by its cost-effectiveness and nutritional value (25-30% protein, 8-12% fat). Companies like Nutrigo Feeds and Prodigy Foods highlight India’s role as a DDGS exporter, with projections of further growth in 2025-26 as ethanol production scales up.
  • Fact Check: While exact export figures are less documented than soybean meal or corn, the Mordor Intelligence report on India’s DDGS Feed Market (projected to reach USD 0.57 million in 2025) supports the rising production and export potential.

4. De-oiled rice bran (DORB)

  • Export Overview: De-oiled rice bran (DORB) is a widely exported feed ingredient from India, rich in fiber and moderate protein (14-16%). In FY 2022-23, India exported approximately 0.5 MMT of rice bran products, mainly to Vietnam, Thailand, and Bangladesh, per APEDA data.
  • Trends: Exports remain steady due to India’s position as the world’s largest rice producer (over 135 MMT in 2023-24, per FAO). The de-oiling process for edible oil production generates significant DORB surplus for export.
  • Fact Check: Industry sources like IndiaMART listings and IMARC Group reports confirm rice bran’s consistent export volumes, aligning with India’s rice processing capacity.

5. Other Ingredients (Rapeseed Meal, Castorseed Meal)

  • Export Overview: India also exports rapeseed meal (35-38% protein) and castorseed meal, though in smaller quantities. In FY 2024-25 (up to February), rapeseed meal exports dropped 17.53% and castorseed meal by 21.44%, totaling part of the 3.933 MMT oilmeal exports (SEA data).
  • Trends: These products cater to niche markets, with rapeseed meal going to Europe and Asia, and castorseed meal used in organic fertilizers and feed in limited regions.
  • Fact Check: The decline aligns with X posts from March 2025 and SEA reports, reflecting reduced global demand and domestic retention.

Domestic Usage in Indian Poultry, Cattle, and Fish Feed Farms

India’s animal feed industry is booming, with a market size projected to reach INR 2,025.1 billion by 2033 (IMARC Group). The poultry, cattle, and aquaculture sectors rely on a mix of traditional and alternative ingredients, many of which your feed mills can supply.

1. Poultry Feed

  • Key Ingredients:
    • Corn: The primary energy source (50-60% of feed), providing 3300 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME). India’s poultry sector consumed over 15 MMT of corn in 2023 (FAO STAT).
    • Soybean Meal: Supplies 40-50% protein, with usage estimated at 7-8 MMT annually (Feed Strategy).
    • DDGS: Increasingly used (5-15% inclusion) for its cost-effectiveness and protein (25-30%). Rice DDGS dominates due to local production.
    • Rice Bran: Used as a filler (5-10%) for fiber and energy.
  • Trends: The poultry industry (878.5 million birds, FAO 2023) is shifting to DDGS and rice polish to offset high corn and soybean meal prices (LinkedIn insights, 2022).
  • Usage Data: Poultry feed production was 20 MMT in 2023 (IMARC), with corn and soybean meal forming the backbone, supplemented by DDGS and rice bran.

2. Cattle Feed

  • Key Ingredients:
    • Corn: Used in compound feeds (20-30%) for energy.
    • Soybean Meal: Provides protein (15-25% inclusion).
    • DDGS: Rice and corn DDGS (up to 20-30%) enhance milk yield and protein content (Mordor Intelligence).
    • Rice Bran (DORB): A staple (20-40%) for fiber and moderate protein.
    • Wheat Bran: Common in traditional mixes (10-15%).
  • Trends: Dairy (194.4 million cattle, FAO 2023) relies on farm-made feeds, but commercial feeds with DDGS are growing, especially in western India (Feed Strategy).
  • Usage Data: Cattle feed production reached 9 MMT in 2023, with DORB and DDGS gaining traction (IMARC).

3. Fish Feed (Aquaculture)

  • Key Ingredients:
    • Soybean Meal: Dominant protein source (30-40%).
    • Corn: Energy component (20-30%).
    • DDGS: Rice DDGS (10-20%) boosts protein and immunity (Nutrigo Feeds).
    • Rice Bran: Used for fiber (10-15%).
    • Fish Meal: Traditional but costly (5-10%).
  • Trends: Aquaculture feed demand (1 MMT in 2023, IMARC) is rising, with DDGS replacing fish meal due to cost and sustainability concerns.
  • Usage Data: India’s fish feed sector leans on soybean meal and DDGS, with rice bran as a cost-effective filler.

Why Feed Mills Should Buy From Us

  • Quality Assurance: We source premium soybean meal, corn, DDGS, and rice bran, meeting FSSAI and ISO standards, ensuring high nutritional value and safety.
  • Competitive Pricing: Our direct supply chain offers cost-effective alternatives to fluctuating market prices, helping you optimize feed costs.
  • Reliable Supply: With India’s strong production base and our export expertise, we guarantee consistent availability for both domestic and international needs.
  • Custom Solutions: We cater to poultry, cattle, and fish feed formulations, providing tailored ingredient mixes to enhance animal health and productivity.

Conclusion

India exports substantial quantities of soybean meal, corn, DDGS, and rice bran, leveraging its agricultural surplus to meet global demand. Domestically, these ingredients, along with wheat bran and fish meal, fuel the poultry, cattle, and aquaculture industries. By partnering with us, feed mills can access high-quality, competitively priced ingredients to meet the needs of India’s growing livestock sector. For detailed quotes and supply options, contact us today!

Note: Data is based on the latest available reports up to March 23, 2025, cross-checked with industry sources like APEDA, SEA, FAO, and Mordor Intelligence. Export and usage figures are estimates and may vary slightly with final 2025 reports.

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