Oilseeds Production Down By 1.3 Mn Tn: Trade Body

New Delhi: Oilseeds production for the crop year ending June is projected at 22.67 million tonne, down from 23.97 million tonne a year ago, according to latest industry estimate released by Central Organisation for Oil Industry and Trade. Rabi output is projected at 9.52 million tonne, against 10.27 million tonne while Kharif output is estimated at 13.15 million tonne, against 13.70 million tonne. Kharif oilseeds crops are sown in June-July and harvested in October. Rabi oilseeds crops are sown in October-November and harvested in February. The latest advance estimate has revised the kharif oilseeds estimate upwards from an earlier estimate of 12.84 million tonne. Soybean June-July output is estimated at 7.66 million tonne, against 7.05 million tonne. The soybean estimate has been revised up by 400,000 tonne from the previous estimate, as the crop benefited from the rains in September.Mustard output is at 6.02 million tonne, against 6.77 million tonne. COOIT had earlier projected mustard output at 5.80 million tonne. Industry officials admitted there had been diversion of mustard acreage to wheat in Rajasthan. Groundnut estimate has been pegged at 5.4 million tonne, against 6.25 million tonne.