April 20, 2011
 

Pakistan to have record oilseeds production

Pakistani output of oilseeds in 2011/12 is estimated at hit a record 5.8 million tonnes, an increase of 24% from 4.7 million tonnes harvested in 2010/11.

Total supply of oilseed available for crushing is forecasted to grow 10% to 6.13 million tonnes.

Cottonseed forms roughly 82% of Pakistan's total oilseeds production. Its production is estimated at 4.8 million tonnes, a 25% surge over last year when the crop was badly hit by the flash floods in the country. The USDA report said that the increase in production was also attributed to higher cotton prices both in the domestic and international markets.
 

The oilseed import forecast includes 1.2 million tonnes of rapeseed, mainly from Canada, Australia and the Ukraine.

The USDA report commented that Pakistan's agriculture policy was largely focused on increasing wheat output to ensure food security.

"Oilseed production typically receives less attention as compared to crops like wheat, rice, cotton and sugarcane," said the report.

There is no support-price mechanism for oilseeds and the government does not procure oilseeds, it added. The lack of availability of quality seed, poor coordination among research organisations, lack of suitable machinery for planting, harvesting and thrashing operations, improper dissemination of site-specific production technologies, and lack of research-based crop management are some of the major constraints being faced by the oilseed sector, it said.

USDA said given the poor quality of local oilseeds and logistical hurdles of transporting oilseeds to crushing facilities, the domestic crushing industry had focused more on importing quality oilseeds rather than providing incentives to local growers for increased domestic production.