Before the ban, India used to export 5-6 lakh tonnes of DORB valued at ₹1,000 crore per annum, mainly to Vietnam, Thailand and other Asian countries. (file photo)
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SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has urged the Centre to lift the ban on the export of de-oiled ricebran (DORB) and not to extend it beyond September 30.
In a letter to the Government, Sanjeev Asthana, President of SEA, said the export ban is in force since July 28, 2023, and presently extended up to September 30, 2025.
Before the ban, India used to export 5-6 lakh tonnes of DORB valued at ₹1,000 crore per annum, mainly to Vietnam, Thailand and other Asian countries. India was positioned as a reliable supplier in the international market.
Prices down 50%
Stating that the association fully appreciates the government’s intent behind imposing the ban to ensure adequate availability of DORB for the domestic livestock and poultry feed sector and regulate the price, which at that time was ₹20,000 a tonne, he said the DORB prices are now at a lower level at ₹10,000-11,000 a tonne, and are expected to go further down with increased availability of DDGS (distillers dried grains with soluble).
The original objective of the export ban was to control rising feed costs and stabilise milk prices. However, two-and-a-half years down the line, all protein meal prices have gone down by 40-50 per cent.
He said the price of mustard/rapeseed/de-oiled cake, which was at ₹28,000 a tonne in July 2023, declined to ₹15,000 a tonne in July 2025. Price of soybean meal declined to ₹31,000 a tonne in July 2025 from ₹46,000 a tonne in July 2023. Groundnut meal’s price declined to ₹20,000 a tonne in July 2025 from ₹44,000 a tonne in July 2023.
Highlighting the above numbers, Asthana said it is evident that the objectives haven’t been achieved. Instead, the ban has resulted in severe economic and operational setbacks across the value chain, especially for the people associated with rice milling and ricebran extraction.
Affecting farmers too
Mentioning that ricebran solvent extraction units are operating far below the capacity, he said many are on the verge of closure. Rice mills too are feeling the impact as bran off-take has reduced, disturbing the entire supply chain. Farmers are directly affected since depressed demand for ricebran has led to lower realizations for paddy, he said.
Even if the ban is lifted now, regaining the lost market share will require fresh efforts and investments, putting India at a disadvantage globally.
While implementation of the ban has caused widespread disruption across the sector, lifting it may yield a positive impact on the sector.
Urging the Government to lift the ban and not to extend it beyond September 30, 2025, he said: “We are worried. If not lifted immediately, the situation may lead to the permanent closure of many units (NPA) and a long-term loss of international markets for India.”
Timely intervention in this regard will create a win-win situation ensuring fair returns for farmers, survival of solvent extraction units, stability for the dairy sector, and enhanced foreign exchange earnings for the nation, he said, adding, the Government should facilitate a balanced framework that ensures both domestic availability and global competitiveness, he added.
Published on August 28, 2025