New Delhi. For the last few days, there was an atmosphere of ups and downs in the wholesale market price of mustard and in most of the markets, its price had increased and reached above the minimum support price. The decision of the Central Government to increase the import duty on edible oils was also expected to have a positive effect on the oilseeds-oil market. But despite all this, during the week from 27 September to 3 October, prices softened by Rs 100-150 per quintal. It is believed that the price came down due to weak demand from crushers-processors at high prices.

Mustard prices weakened by Rs 100 each in Dhanera Mandi of Gujarat and Sirsa Mandi of Haryana. Its price fell by Rs 150 per quintal in Morena and Porsa of Madhya Pradesh, while the price of mustard fell by Rs 100 to Rs 150 per quintal in various mandis of the most prominent producing state- Rajasthan. The price of mustard fell by Rs 50 each in Hapur and Agra of Uttar Pradesh to Rs 6950 and Rs 7100/7650 per quintal respectively.

Due to the fall in the price of mustard, the price of mustard oil also softened. During the week under review, the price of expeller declined by Rs 10 to Rs 1395 per 10 kg in Delhi, Rs 30 to Rs 1420 in Morena, Rs 70 to Rs 1320 in Ganganagar, Rs 30 to Rs 1420 in Bharatpur and Rs 26 to Rs 1425/1426 per 10 kg in Kota.

Due to weakening of mustard prices, its khal and DOC also declined. Mustard DOC prices fell by Rs 500 to Rs 800 per tonne while oilcake prices fell by Rs 30 to Rs 100 per quintal. Mustard sowing is likely to pick up soon. Attractive market prices may encourage farmers to increase acreage.