New Delhi:  Influenced by the bullish trend in the oilseed and edible oil market and strong demand from traders and millers, mustard prices increased by Rs. 100-200 per quintal during the week of January 24-30. Harvesting of the early-sown new mustard crop is expected to begin soon. The sowing area for this major Rabi season oilseed crop has increased, and the overall crop condition is reported to be good. The government has set a high production target for it.

During the week under review, the price of 42 percent condition mustard increased by Rs. 150 to Rs. 7150 per quintal in Delhi and by Rs. 125 to Rs. 7450 per quintal in Jaipur. Prices of average quality mustard also rose by Rs. 130-150 per quintal in Gujarat markets. In Sirsa, Haryana, the price increased by Rs. 200 to Rs. 7100 per quintal, and in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, it improved by Rs. 50 to Rs. 7600 per quintal.

Sporadic arrivals of new mustard have started in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and Kota, Rajasthan. In the Agra market, the price of new mustard was recorded at Rs. 7650 per quintal, while the price of old stock ranged from Rs. 7650 to Rs. 8000 per quintal.  New mustard arrivals are expected to increase gradually in the coming days, but a significant decline in prices is unlikely.

Prices of mustard oil (expeller and kachi ghani) also increased by Rs. 1 to 4 per kg. In Delhi, the price of expeller oil increased by Rs. 25 to Rs. 1485 per 10 kg. Mustard oil prices were also higher in several other centers including Bikaner, Kota, Ganganagar, Jaipur, Alwar, and Kolkata, but remained Rs. 10 per 10 kg lower in Morena. In Agra too, the price of raw mustard oil declined by Rs. 10 per 10 kg.

Due to weak demand at higher prices, mustard cake prices fell by Rs. 10-20 per quintal in some places, while the price of mustard DOC remained firm.