We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry. current time
Mustard Seed Stays Firm as Tight Farmer Selling Counters Softer Oil Demand
Indian mustard seed prices are maintaining a firm undertone as restricted farmer selling and steady crusher demand offset weakness across parts of the edible oil market. While mustard oil has come under mild pressure because of sluggish retail buying, strong demand for mustard seed and cake continues to lend support to the complex.
In New Delhi, mustard seed prices rose by around INR 50 to INR 8,550–8,600 per quintal, extending the positive trend seen last week. Mustard cake also strengthened on improved feed-sector demand, indicating that crushers continue to find sufficient incentive to maintain procurement despite softer oil realizations.
The firmness comes despite sizeable arrivals. Daily mustard inflows are estimated at around 250,000 bags, equivalent to roughly 10,000 tonnes, from major producing regions. However, the pace of arrivals has not been sufficient to create significant selling pressure, with farmers showing limited interest in releasing stocks at prevailing prices.
Mustard oil, meanwhile, moved in the opposite direction. Prices declined by around INR 50 to nearly INR 17,000 per quintal as consumer demand remained subdued at elevated price levels. Competition from relatively cheaper imported palm and soy oils is also limiting the upside for domestic mustard oil.
Other edible oils have shown mixed trends. Rice bran oil slipped about INR 50 to around INR 12,900 per quintal, while sesame oil declined by approximately INR 100 to INR 17,800 per quintal. Cottonseed oil bucked the broader weakness, gaining around INR 100 to INR 14,550 per quintal. Crude palm oil at Kandla was quoted near INR 12,100 per quintal, supported by firm Malaysian futures.
The divergence between seed and oil prices is becoming increasingly important for the mustard market. Although softer oil prices are putting some pressure on crushing margins, demand for seed remains resilient because of tight spot availability and firm offtake of mustard cake from the feed sector.
National mandi data show modal mustard prices in the mid-INR 7,000-per-quintal range, with Rajasthan and Haryana recording relatively stronger levels. Prices in several major mandis have gained around INR 100–400 per quintal over the past week, reflecting reduced selling pressure and firm procurement interest.
Market participants are also turning their attention toward the next Rabi crop. Weather conditions across northern and western India remain broadly favourable for field preparation ahead of the 2026–27 mustard sowing season. Agricultural advisories issued in early October have emphasized timely sowing and proper seedbed preparation.
Current mustard prices remain attractive relative to government support levels and could encourage farmers to maintain or modestly increase acreage. However, the eventual production outlook will depend heavily on weather during the sowing and crop-development periods. Any delay in winter conditions or localized moisture shortages could quickly revive supply concerns.
For now, the mustard complex remains relatively well supported. Limited farmer-held stocks, active crusher buying and firm mustard cake demand are cushioning the market against weaker oil realizations. The key question is whether this tight supply structure can persist as the new Rabi crop approaches the planting stage.
