Trade body Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA) said on Tuesday that the overall crop outlook for soyabean remains favourable for the kharif 2026 season with the oilseed being planted on over 111 lakh hectares across the country.

“Overall, the soybean crop outlook remains favourable, with satisfactory crop growth under the prevailing field conditions and desirable rains,” said D N Pathak, Executive Director, SOPA, in a statement. Localised poor or failed germination has been observed in parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan, he said.

SOPA had recently conducted a rapid survey to assess the progress of soyabean sowing and crop status for the kharif 2026 season.

As per government estimates, soybean sowing has reached 108.482 lakh hectares, compared with 111.082 lakh hectares estimated by SOPA. The final area is expected to increase further, Pathak said, adding that “ the soybean crop is in good condition across the major soybean-growing states, particularly Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.”

In Madhya Pradesh, soyabean has been planted on some 51.38 lakh ha as per SOPA and government estimates. However, in Maharashtra, SOPA has estimated a higher area of 42.45 lakh hectares (lh), while the government estimates have pegged it at 40.13 lh as of July 17. In Rajasthan and Telangana, the soyabean area is estimated by both the government and SOPA at 8.45 lh and 1.36 lh respectively.

In Karnataka the SOPA estimates are slightly higher at 3.56 lh compared to the government estimates of 3.33 lh, while in Gujarat both estimates are the same at 2.48 lh.

Healthy vegetative growth is being observed in most soybean-growing regions, Pathak said. “Weed management has been effective through the use of Dora/Kolpa herbicides, resulting in largely weed-free fields. No major insect pests or disease incidence have been reported during field inspections.” Pathak said.

Published on July 21, 2026