<p>The soybean processing industry has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the import of 50,000 tonnes of food speciality soybeans from the US duty-free.</p>.<p>The beans could be allowed into the country at “zero” duty under tariff-rate quota since food speciality soybeans are not grown in the country, K Sarat Chandra Kumar, President, Soy Food Promotion and Welfare Association, said.</p>.<p>“Indian soybeans are oil- and meal-centric, suitable for animal utilisation. There are no food speciality soybeans grown in the country; thus the supply of the same does not exist,” Kumar said.</p>.<p>He said that inconsistent and inferior raw soybean quality was the leading cause of dissatisfied consumers wanting better taste, texture and flavour profiles.</p>.<p>“Though soya food companies have improved quality, due to a lack of affordable, high-quality raw ingredients, we feel challenged for new growth opportunities,” he said.</p>.<p>Kumar said while all Indian beans were non-GM, they were also treated as commodity beans regardless of the end-use, be it in the food or feed industry.</p>.<p>According to Sumit Agarwal, Vice President of the Association, the lack of suitable food-grade speciality soybeans was limiting business opportunities, job creation, and revenue generation.</p>.<p>The Association said it represents over 3,000 small, medium and large-scale units across the country.</p>
<p>The soybean processing industry has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the import of 50,000 tonnes of food speciality soybeans from the US duty-free.</p>.<p>The beans could be allowed into the country at “zero” duty under tariff-rate quota since food speciality soybeans are not grown in the country, K Sarat Chandra Kumar, President, Soy Food Promotion and Welfare Association, said.</p>.<p>“Indian soybeans are oil- and meal-centric, suitable for animal utilisation. There are no food speciality soybeans grown in the country; thus the supply of the same does not exist,” Kumar said.</p>.<p>He said that inconsistent and inferior raw soybean quality was the leading cause of dissatisfied consumers wanting better taste, texture and flavour profiles.</p>.<p>“Though soya food companies have improved quality, due to a lack of affordable, high-quality raw ingredients, we feel challenged for new growth opportunities,” he said.</p>.<p>Kumar said while all Indian beans were non-GM, they were also treated as commodity beans regardless of the end-use, be it in the food or feed industry.</p>.<p>According to Sumit Agarwal, Vice President of the Association, the lack of suitable food-grade speciality soybeans was limiting business opportunities, job creation, and revenue generation.</p>.<p>The Association said it represents over 3,000 small, medium and large-scale units across the country.</p>
