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Informist, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

By Taniva Singha Roy

MUMBAI – A total of 10.5 million tonnes of mustard seeds have been crushed from March 1, 2024 to January 3, 2025, according to estimates by Jaipur-based Marudhar Trading Agency. Mills across India crushed around 700,000 tonnes of mustard seed in January compared to 600,000 tonnes in December, the report showed. "Millers have crushed more during this month as demand is usually higher in January," the trader said.

Arrivals of mustard seed in the country in January are estimated at 300,000 tonnes, unchanged from arrivals in December, the agency said in a report.

The agency estimates mustard output in 2024-25 (Apr-Mar) marketing season to be 12.0 million tonnes from 12.8 million tonnes earlier. "Mustard sowing was estimated to be higher in the previous months estimates as per the survey in February, however, when the arrivals began in March, the production number became clearer, and it is pegged lowered. During the current rabi season due to unfavourable weather and warmer-than-normal temperature conditions in October and November also led to lower output," a trader from the agency said.

Government agencies like National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India and Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd. have disposed of around 1.8 million tonnes of mustard in the market so far this season, according to the report. The agencies procured 2.0 million tonnes of mustard seed between March and January, data from Marudhar Trading Agency showed.

Mustard prices rose due to the arrival of a millers-preferred-seed variety with 42% oil content. Seeds containing a higher percentage of oil increase millers' yield. Currently, mustard prices are in the range of INR 6,125-INR 6,150 per 100 kg in major spot markets, higher than the minimum support price of INR 5,950 per 100 kg. 

Mustard prices are likely to be supported amid lower production. As of Jan. 31, mustard acreage was 8.93 million hectares, down 2.8% from a year ago, according to data from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. Mustard is a rabi crop sown from October to early December in north, east and northeast India. The crop matures in 108–147 days and is harvested from mid-February to May.

The total stock across the country at the end of January is estimated at 1.5 million tonnes, including 350,000 tonnes with farmers. Inventories with stockists and processors are seen at 200,000 tn and those with agencies like National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India were at 950,000 tonnes, according to Marudhar Trading Agency.

Mustard seed production in the country was 13.26 million tonnes in 2023-24, up 4.9% from 12.64 mln tonnes a year ago, according to the agriculture ministry.  End

Edited by Deepshikha Bhardwaj

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