March 3, 2008

India's rapeseed output likely to fall 15 percent this year

India's rapeseed production in 2008 is expected to fall to 5.09 million tonnes, down 15.4 percent from 6.02 million tonnes in 2007, because of less area being cultivated and unfavorable weather, a trade body said Sunday (05 March 2008).

"Total oil seed production during the winter sowing season is now projected to fall to 8.6 million tonnes from 9.52 million tonnes a year earlier, mainly because of rapeseed," the Central Organization of Oil Industry and Trade said after its annual meeting.

However, total oil seed output in the whole crop marketing year ending October 2008 is expected to rise 11 percent to 25.49 million tonnes from 22.97 million tonnes a year earlier, because of a good summer harvest, the Cooit said.

In India, oil seeds are grown through the summer and winter seasons.

Summer oilseed output is expected to be 16.89 million tonnes, up 25.5 percent from 13.45 million tonnes a year earlier, because of a record soy harvest, Cooit said.