February 22, 2008

India 07/08 oilseed output to reach 33 million tonnes

India's oilseed production for 2007-08 is estimated to reach 33 million tonnes, according to a US Agriculture Department attach¨¦ report on Wednesday.

India's oilseed crop is forecast to yield about 6.8 million tonnes of oil and 15.3 million tonnes of meal.

Rapeseed production forecast has been lowered to 5.5 million tonnes from 5.8 million tonnes due to lack of winter rains and cold conditions, said the report.

However, India's trade body official had estimated the oilseed output to be around 25.5 million to 26 million tonnes. Ashok Sethia, president of the Solvent Extractors' Association, had said the decrease is due to a shortfall in acreage.