India's customs authorities have opened an investigation into a sharp rise in soybean shipments declared as originating in Niger, citing concerns that some cargoes may have been sourced from Nigeria and relabelled to sidestep import duties.
Indian trade data show the country imported 909,606 metric tonnes of soybeans in the first seven months of 2026, compared with 1,996 tonnes in the corresponding period a year earlier. Volumes declared as coming from Niger reached 380,868 tonnes over the same stretch, up from zero previously, making Niger the largest declared supplier to India during the period.
Yet Niger produces less than 100 tonnes of soybeans annually, according to assessments within Africa's soybean milling industry. Nigeria, by contrast, is the continent's leading producer and exporter of the oilseed.
In notices sent to importers and seen by Reuters, the customs department stated that Niger's production data is very much less, and that the import quantity therefore appears to exceed the usual levels of production and export capacity of Niger.
India allows duty-free imports from least-developed countries, a category that includes Niger. If the consignments are found to have been mislabelled, importers would be required to pay the full 45 percent import tariff, sources familiar with the investigation said.
Customs had initially cleared the cargoes after importers submitted documents required for preferential treatment, including certificates of origin and phytosanitary certificates issued by Niger. Authorities are now asking for additional evidence that the shipments genuinely qualify.
Two government sources and two industry sources said importers were being asked to establish the origin of the soybeans. Some importers said they lacked all the information requested and had approached their overseas suppliers for more records.
One importer who received a notice said the soybeans were imported after suppliers confirmed the goods originated in Niger and provided the necessary documents, adding that it was not possible to travel to Africa to verify the origin personally.
