New Delhi. Demand for mustard from buyers was somewhat weak during the week of December 20-26, resulting in a soft or stable price environment. Sowing is in its final stages, and the crop condition is reported to be satisfactory. Supplies in the markets are adequate, but there is a lack of robust trading in mustard oil and oilcake. Trading may pick up somewhat next month, while the arrival of new mustard crops will begin in February.

During the week of December 20-26, the price of 42 percent condition mustard remained stable at Rs. 6950 per quintal in Delhi, but fell by Rs. 100 to Rs. 7100 per quintal in Jaipur. Prices of average quality mustard declined in the markets of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Gujarat. It also softened by Rs. 75 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, while a mixed trend was observed in Rajasthan. Importantly, the price of mustard in all markets is running above the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Due to weak demand for expeller and kachi ghani (cold-pressed) mustard oil, prices declined by Rs. 1 to 4 per kg. In Delhi, the price of expeller oil fell by Rs. 25 to Rs. 1410 per 10 kg. It also declined by Rs. 20 in Charkhi Dadri. In Bharatpur, Rajasthan, the price of expeller oil dropped by Rs. 40 to Rs. 1400 per kg, and kachi ghani to Rs. 1420 per kg. In Agra, Kolkata, and Hapur, the price of kachi ghani mustard oil softened by Rs. 20 per 10 kg. In Kota, expeller oil was Rs. 15 lower.

Amidst normal trading, the price of mustard DOC showed a mixed trend. Prices ranged from an increase of Rs. 200 to a decrease of Rs. 500 per ton. The activity of Chinese buyers remained somewhat weak. Until the new crop arrives, the mustard market will continue to experience limited fluctuations.