The mustard crop in India has seen significant arrivals in the markets from March to November 2024, totaling 98.50 lakh tonnes. This data comes from Anil Chatar, the Managing Director of Marudhar Trading Agency in Jaipur.

The arrival of mustard in wholesale markets and government procurement centers has steadily decreased from March through November, reflecting the off-season supply decline.

For instance, mustard arrivals in March were 15.50 lakh tonnes, but by November, they had dropped to 3.50 lakh tonnes.

On December 1, 2024, farmers were left with 9.50 lakh tonnes of mustard stock, while government agencies, including NAFED and HAFED, held a combined stock of 14.50 lakh tonnes, after selling 13 lakh tonnes.

The stock with millers and stockists was about 4 lakh tonnes. Together, these stocks sum up to 28 lakh tonnes of mustard available in the country.

The domestic mustard supply is expected to be low in the coming months as the sowing of the Rabi season crop is underway.

The next fresh crop will begin arriving in February, with a significant increase in supply expected from March 2025. Meanwhile, mustard prices are likely to remain strong due to the lower arrival in markets.

However, government stocks should ensure that crushers and processors will not face a raw material shortage.

The revised mustard production for the 2023-24 season is estimated at 115 lakh tonnes, which may help replenish stocks once the new crop begins to be harvested and marketed.