JAIPUR (Commoditiescontrol) - Mr. Deviprasad Khandelia, Chairman of Sri Ganganagar-based Khandeliya Group Of Companies, said that mustard production in the country this year is expected between 58-60 lakh tonnes from around 61.90 lakh hectares. Last year, mustard production was estimated at 62 lakh tonnes from 70.55 lakh hectares, while government’s estimation was 68.44 lakh tonnes.
Mr. Khandelia told commoditiescontrol.com that Punjab had witnessed hailstorm and cold weather conditions over the last few days, but production may not be impacted as the state does not have large mustard acreage.
Arrival may be delayed in Haryana but crop is developing well, said Mr. Khandelia. Similarly, crop condition in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh is normal. Recent rains proved helpful for crop in Sri Ganganagar of Rajasthan. He strongly expects mustard production in the country between 58-60 lakh tonnes in the current season. However, accurate production figures will be known at the seminar on domestic mustard industry to be held on 15 March. The seminar is organized by the Mustard Oil Producers Association of India (MOPA) at Jaipur.
As per his estimates, opening stock of mustard is expected between 4-5 lakh tonnes. Therefore, total availability of mustard will be sufficient to meet the domestic industry’s requirement.
Mr. Khandelia added that the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) is set to send one of its teams to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh to assess the losses caused by the recent rains on mustard crop.
The assessment teams will submit and present their reports at the mustard industry seminar in Jaipur. The teams are learnt to mainly focus on losses in Rajasthan crop, which contribute about 45-47% to country’s total mustard production. Initial reports have suggested loss of around 15-20%. But the crop is ready for harvesting in Punjab, Haryana and north Rajasthan, he informed.
Mr. Khandelia feels that mustard oil prices are highly unlikely to see a surge given the price difference between mustard and other oils of Rs 10-20/kg. In such a scenario, other oils will not let mustard to go up. Weak trend in mustard meal (DOC) will also affect mustard oil prices. Blending of cheaper imported oil is very common in domestic markets. Hence, it will be difficult to sell pure mustard oil at higher prices. Mr.Khandelia suggested that the government should double import duty on cheaper imported oils and also restrict the blending of edible oils.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-61391533)
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