Concerns Over Soybean Meal Shortage Highlighted at Poultry Industry Roundtable
On June 19, 2026, a significant event took place at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) hosted a roundtable focused on the challenges facing the poultry and animal feed sectors. Titled “Ensuring Feed Security and Sustainable Growth of India’s Poultry Sector,” the meeting drew attention to critical issues, particularly the shortage of soybean meal.
Suresh Chitturi, who leads the CII National Committee on Animal Agriculture, pointed out that poultry feed represents a staggering 65-70% of production costs. This makes securing a reliable feed supply crucial for the growth and sustainability of India’s poultry industry. With fluctuations in feed ingredient availability, climate-related challenges, and rising demand for affordable protein sources, collaboration among industry stakeholders is vital.
The roundtable brought together an engaging mix of policymakers, industry leaders, feed manufacturers, and experts in poultry nutrition. They discussed multiple concerns, including enhancing the availability of feed materials, promoting sustainable sourcing, and exploring innovative feed resources. Other key topics included advances in poultry nutrition and the role of digital technologies in feed efficiency.
Mr. Chitturi emphasized that secure access to feed must be aligned with national food security, as affordable chicken and eggs serve as essential, high-quality protein sources for many households across India.
Dr. Naveena B Maheswarappa, the Animal Husbandry Commissioner, shared encouraging news about the possible import of the HPAI vaccine, a long-awaited development for the poultry industry. This was just one highlight from the day, which also included the release of a CII study on the poultry sector’s contributions to India’s economy and nutritional security.
As discussions evolved, Dr. Ani Bency Jacob and a panel of esteemed industry representatives took the stage to deepen conversations about feed security and innovations in the poultry sector. The event wrapped up with open discussions, a networking lunch, and valuable exchanges of ideas.
In closing the session, Ricky Thaper, speaking on behalf of the poultry industry, underscored the pressing need to address the ongoing shortage of soybean meal, despite the industry’s ongoing growth at 7-8% per year.
The collaborative efforts demonstrated at this roundtable are vital for building a sustainable and competitive poultry sector in India, ensuring that the needs of the industry and the public are met effectively moving forward.
