Post Harvest Market Price of Mustard

Rapeseed-mustard (Brassica species) group of crops is the third most important oilseed crop after soybean and groundnut, contributing nearly 20-25% of the total oilseed production in the country. The crop is grown both in subtropical and tropical countries. The major rapeseed-mustard-producing countries in the world are Canada, China, Germany and France. There are three oilseed crops grown in Rajasthan viz., Mustard, Groundnut and Soybean. Generally price of Groundnut oil is higher as compared to Mustard and Soybean. Mustard production is expected to rise by 10-15% compared to last year due to higher acreage and a favourable weather condition. India grows 55 lakh tonne to 70 lakh tonne of mustard seed annually. According to the latest sowing data available, Indias acreage is 71 lakh hectares against 64 lakh hectares last year. India exported 14676.89 tonnes of mustard seed during 2009-10 but this year (April- Dec.) so far there was no export of mustard seed. Weather conditions across Rajasthan are improving and favouring good plant growth. In India, Rajasthan produces 50 % of mustard seed, followed by Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat. The Commissionerate of agriculture, Rajasthan report shows that mustard seed has been sown on 26.24 lakh hectare in Rajasthan as against 22.12 lakh hectare last year. The estimated production of mustard seed in Rajasthan is likely to be 35.55 lakh tonne as against 29.12 lakh tonne in the previous year. The key mustard seed growing districts of Rajasthan have received good rainfall and farmers have opted to increase mustard seed acreage during 2010-11. In Rajasthan, the major mustard producing districts are Alwar, Bharatpur, Kota, Jaipur, Sri Ganganagar and Bikaner. The primary use of mustard seed is for extracting oil while the seeds are also used as condiment in pickles, meat and salad dressings. Mustard seed can also be milled into mustard flour and used as an ingredient in processed foods, such as salad dressings and soups. The seeds when crushed yields around 27-33% of oil. The oilcake is mostly used as cattle feed. Mustard is a rabi crop in India and its sowing commences from October and continues till December end. Harvesting of the crop starts from mid February and market arrivals will start from February end. To help the farmers in taking a selling decision on Mustard, the prices that could prevail during March, April 2011 have been forecasted. The Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre (AMIC)

functioning in Department of Agriculture Economics and Management, MPUAT, Udaipur collected and analysed the modal prices of Mustard that prevailed in Bharatpur Market during last twenty years. Also an opinion survey of Mustard traders was conducted. Based on the analysis and Market survey it is forecasted that Mustard seed (42% oil content) prices hover around Rs. 2450-2600 per quintal in the month of March-April 2011 subject to the existing import-export policy of the Govt. Therefore, farmers may take decision of selling their produce accordingly.

( S.S. Burark) CCPI (NAIP)