New Delhi. Due to the off-season for supply, the arrival of mustard seeds is decreasing in the major markets of the key producing states, while the demand for oil and oilcake remains strong. Consumption of mustard oil typically increases during the winter months. Producers, stockists, and government agencies all have low stocks of mustard seeds remaining. Sporadic arrivals of new mustard seeds are expected to begin next month, with a significant increase in supply expected in March.

Due to limited arrivals and strong demand, the price of 42 percent condition mustard increased by Rs. 50 each in Delhi and Jaipur during the week of January 3-9, reaching Rs. 6950 and Rs. 7150 per quintal respectively.

Prices of average quality mustard also increased in most markets. Prices softened by Rs. 20-25 in Gujarat and decreased by Rs. 200 to Rs. 6500 per quintal in Sirsa mandi of Haryana. On the other hand, mustard prices increased by Rs. 50-100 per quintal in Madhya Pradesh, up to Rs. 225 per quintal in Rajasthan, and by Rs. 50-75 per quintal in Uttar Pradesh. In Kota, Rajasthan, the price of mustard increased by Rs. 225 to Rs. 6200/6700 per quintal. A rise of Rs. 165 was also seen in Ganganagar.

Mustard oil (expeller and kachi ghani) saw good trading activity, resulting in a price increase of Rs. 2 to 5 per kg. In Delhi, the price of expeller oil increased by Rs. 20 and in Ganganagar by Rs. 50, reaching Rs. 1430 per 10 kg. In Bikaner, the price of expeller oil increased by Rs. 40 to Rs. 1460. Similarly, the price of kachi ghani mustard oil in Hapur increased by Rs. 10 to Rs. 1550/1570 per 10 kg.

Mustard cake prices witnessed some softening, but improved trading in DOC led to a price increase of up to ₹800 per ton.

Mustard sowing is almost complete. The area under cultivation has increased compared to last year, and the weather conditions are also satisfactory. The Central Ministry of Agriculture has set a production target of 139 lakh tonnes of mustard for the current Rabi season of 2025-26.