- Soybean oil prices showed mixed movements in Q2’26 as strong supply from elevated crushing activity weighed on markets, while robust biofuel demand provided upward support.
- Feedstock availability remained comfortable as soybean crushing stayed high, increasing overall supply levels and adding pressure in markets where inventories continued to expand.
- Downstream demand was led by biofuel consumption, while food-service and industrial sectors remained relatively weak, limiting broader support for soybean oil price growth.
Asia
In China, monthly average Soybean Oil prices were ~RMB 8.64/kg in the first two months of Q2’26. In India, monthly average Soybean Oil prices were ~INR 146.83/kg in April and ~INR 147.72/kg in May, showing a marginal increase. China’s market stayed under pressure as high soybean crushing increased domestic soybean oil supply faster than demand. Commercial soybean oil stocks rose from 880,000 tons in late May to about 1.2 MMT by mid-June, reducing buying urgency. Food processing and catering demand also remained slow, keeping end-users focused on immediate needs. India stayed slightly firmer as import dependence and steady edible oil consumption supported prices, but the wider Asian tone was capped by China’s inventory build and ample soybean arrivals.
Europe
In Spain, Soybean Oil prices were ~EUR 1.51/kg in April and ~EUR 1.33/kg in the subsequent month, showing a ~12.3% decrease. The decline was mainly driven by weaker industrial use and reduced biofuel pull. European soybean oil demand faced pressure as biofuel producers shifted toward alternative oils, waste oils, and residue-based feedstocks. Policy-related costs also made soybean-based biofuel less attractive, adding pressure on demand. With more soybean oil moving toward external markets instead of being absorbed locally, Spanish prices corrected sharply during Q2.
North America
In the United States, Soybean Oil prices were ~USD 1,624.00/MT in April and ~USD 1,775.00/MT in the following month, showing a ~9.3% increase. The rise was driven by firm domestic absorption and tighter nearby supply. Biofuel demand remained the strongest support, with soybean oil use for biofuels above 1.2 billion lb in April. At the same time, May crush slowed during maintenance, and soybean oil inventories fell 12.0% from April to the lowest level in five months. Weak export sales limited the upside, but domestic biofuel demand kept the market firm.