Government estimates mustard production to exceed 13.3 million tons

12-Mar-2026 03:55 PM

New Delhi. Although trade production data for mustard, the most important oilseed crop of the Rabi season, will be revealed at the Oilseeds and Oil Seminar to be held in Bharatpur on March 14-15, the second advance estimate released by the Union Agriculture Ministry indicates that mustard production could increase by more than 700,000 tons. Harvesting of the new crop has already begun.

According to the Ministry, domestic mustard production in the current Rabi season of 2025-26 is expected to reach 13.331 million tons, which is higher than the 2024-25 season's production of 12.667 million tons but lower than the target of 13.9 million tons.

According to the Ministry, previous domestic mustard production was estimated at 13.259 million tonnes in the 2023-24 season, 12.643 million tonnes in 2022-23, and 11.963 million tonnes in the 2021-22 season. It is noteworthy that mustard production figures from the industrial and trade sectors are lower than government estimates.

The minimum support price (MSP) for mustard has been increased from last year's ₹5,950 per quintal to ₹6,200 per quintal this time. New mustard is receiving a strong inflow into important markets in major producing states,

and the lack of government procurement is putting pressure on prices. This is increasing farmers' concerns. More than 1 million tonnes of mustard is expected to arrive in markets across the country during March.