India’s soyabean production for kharif 2026 season is seen lower by around 2.11 per cent at 107.93 lakh tonnes. | Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

Despite an increase in overall sown area and a strong rebound in output in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on higher yields, India’s soyabean production for kharif 2026 season is seen lower by around 2.11 per cent at 107.93 lakh tonnes. The impact of drought in Maharashtra and Karnataka has shrunk the overall soyabean output marginally, offsetting the gains in MP and Rajasthan, according to the crop estimates released by the trade body Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA).

SOPA, which released the first estimates of the crop on Saturday at the International Soya Conclave 2026 in Indore, said the production is projected to drop by 2.33 lakh tonnes over last year’s 110.25 lakh tonnes.

The trade body has estimated a 5 per cent increase in sown area at 117.73 lakh hectares for kharif 2026, while the harvested area is projected at 109.98 lakh ha. SOPA’s cropped area estimates are slightly lower than the Agriculture Ministry’s estimates of 123.16 lakh ha.

“Production is estimated at 107.93 lakh tonnes, about 2.33 lakh tonnes (2.11%) below Kharif 2025 production, despite a 5 per cent larger sown area. The strong gains in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are outweighed by sharp losses in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana. The shortfall stems from crop failure on 7.02 lakh ha and poor grain filling under prolonged moisture stress,” according to D N Pathak, Executive Director, SOPA. The overall yields for the year are projected at 981 kg per ha against last year’s 983.

MP, which has seen a strong rebound in production, registering a 32 per cent increase at 57.2 lakh tonnes against last year’s 43.2 lakh tonnes. This sharp rebound has helped MP to regain its position as the largest producer of the oilseed, according to SOPA.

Similarly, Rajasthan also has seen strong gains with production estimated to rise by 48 per cent at 9.5 lakh tonnes (6.4 lakh tonnes last year). Production in Gujarat is seen flat at 2.4 lakh tonnes, whereas output in all other states is seen rising marginally at 1.3 lakh tonnes (1.1 lakh tonnes).

However, deficit rains coupled with prolonged dry spells and moisture stress is expected to result in a sharp decline in production of 33 per cent in Maharashtra at 34.9 lakh tonnes (52.2 lakh tonnes last year). Similarly, Karnataka has witnessed a 44 per cent decline in output at 2.1 lakh tonnes (3.7 lakh tonnes last year) and 46 per cent in Telangana at 0.7 lakh tonnes (1.3 lakh tonnes), SOPA said.

Published on October 19, 2026