From the Chairman's Desk

From the Chairperson's Desk

Dear Members,

It is a great honour and privilege to assume the responsibility as Chairperson of the Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council. The oilseeds trade is not merely a profession for me — it is a vital part of my identity. I have grown up watching my father and forefathers build their lives around this trade, and that upbringing has given me a deep and personal understanding of what this industry truly demands. Stepping into this national role, I carry that legacy with me — and with it, a profound sense of responsibility towards every member of this fraternity. Having spent my own years as an exporter in this sector, I understand firsthand both the opportunities and the challenges that define our industry, and I am committed to working wholeheartedly for the growth of this sector and for the collective interests of every member of this Council.

At the outset, I express my sincere gratitude to my predecessors for their dedicated leadership and invaluable contribution in strengthening the Council and positioning it as a credible and important platform for India's oilseeds export fraternity. Building upon this strong foundation, my focus will remain on enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian oilseeds, strengthening market access, and creating new and meaningful opportunities for our exporters. Beyond exports, I am committed to working towards a holistic strengthening of the entire value chain — from farm-level yield improvements, adoption of Good Agricultural Practices, and post-harvest quality management, to processing efficiency, value addition, traceability, and compliance with evolving international standards. A stronger value chain at every link is what will ultimately define India's position as a trusted and preferred origin in global oilseeds trade. I look forward to your continued support, cooperation, and guidance as we work collectively towards this vision.

As we step into the new financial year, the global trade environment continues to remain uncertain due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. What initially appeared to be a temporary disruption has evolved into a prolonged challenge, with continued disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz significantly affecting movement of agricultural commodities to key destinations, particularly Iran and GCC countries. Rising freight costs, logistical imbalances, and fluctuating demand have created immense pressure on exporters across the oilseeds sector.

In this challenging environment, IOPEPC sincerely appreciates the proactive efforts of the Government of India in mitigating the impact through timely policy interventions and relief measures aimed at safeguarding trade and maintaining economic stability. Such initiatives are vital in supporting exporters and sustaining India's agricultural trade competitiveness amidst evolving global dynamics.

During the period under review, the Council actively participated in the 2nd Meeting of the Working Group on Compliance and Regulations under the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) held in New Delhi, for review of the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) 3.0 (2024–27). Several important issues concerning exporters — including Certificate of Origin (CoO), consolidated commercial invoicing, and data aggregation from multiple locations — were deliberated upon. We are encouraged by the constructive and positive approach of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in addressing these concerns in the best interest of exporters.

The Council also participated in the China International Sesame Conference (Spring) 2026 held in Qingdao, China, where I had the opportunity to deliver a presentation on "Indian Sesame Production and Market Outlook." The presentation highlighted India's sesame production scenario, export potential, quality standards, and market outlook for the forthcoming season — receiving an encouraging response from global trade participants.

I am pleased to note that the recently concluded India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement opens promising opportunities for Indian oilseeds through preferential and zero-duty access, further strengthening our market diversification. I also encourage our members to register on the India–US Trade Facilitation Portal, which offers direct engagement with US buyers through virtual exhibitions — expanding our reach across two significant global markets.

On the export front, India's sesame exports registered a positive growth of approximately 7% during April–March 2025–26, reaching 268,706 MT as compared to 250,852 MT during the corresponding previous period — a reflection of the sector's growing global acceptance. Groundnut exports during April–March 2025–26 stood at 663,818 MT, further reflecting the resilience, strong global demand, and export potential of the sector despite prevailing geopolitical and logistical headwinds.

Looking ahead, it is imperative for the Indian oilseeds sector to focus on strengthening domestic supply chains, improving value addition, enhancing quality compliance, and reducing import dependence. With continued policy support, industry collaboration, and our collective resolve, I am confident that Indian oilseeds exports will achieve new milestones in the years to come.

As we navigate both opportunities and challenges ahead, I am reminded of the words of Ratan Tata —

"Ups and downs in life are very important to keep us going, because a straight line even in an ECG means we are not alive."

Let us move forward together for a resilient, competitive, and future-ready Indian oilseeds sector that the world will reckon with.

With warm regards,

Sandeep Bhura
Chairperson
Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC)