The wholesale prices of mustard oil and oilseeds dropped on Saturday in the country’s oil-oilseeds market ahead of the new mustard crop arrival. Soybean oilseed prices also fell due to a lack of demand for de-oiled cake (DOC) caused by high prices. Meanwhile, cottonseed oil prices saw an improvement due to a decrease in cotton arrivals in the market. On the other hand, the prices of groundnut oil and oilseeds remained unchanged due to sluggish business, soybean oil prices dropped as they were sold below the import cost due to a cash crunch, and crude palm oil (CPO) and palmolein prices fell due to weak demand.

When Will the New Crop Arrive?

According to market sources, the new mustard crop is expected to arrive in markets by mid-February. Before this arrival, mustard prices had already started falling. Soybean oilseed prices also dropped due to weak demand for de-oiled cake (DOC), which remained costly.

Meanwhile, cottonseed oil prices improved slightly due to a sharp drop in cotton arrivals. As per reports, cotton arrivals have fallen from around 2.4 lakh bales in December to just 1.1 lakh bales now. Less cotton means less crushing, which has pushed up cottonseed oil prices.

Government Needs to Step In

Sources said that peanut (groundnut) trading usually remains slow on Saturdays, so the real price trend will be seen on Monday. For now, groundnut oil and oilseed prices remained unchanged due to weak business.

Soybean oil prices stayed at the same level because sellers are forced to sell below import cost due to a cash shortage. At the same time, CPO (crude palm oil) and palmolein prices remained stable due to low demand.

Market experts also added that the government must pay attention to the condition of crops like cotton and soybeans. If the market for these crops is not improved, they might end up like sunflowers, where India now depends mostly on imports. Mustard, groundnut, cotton, and soybeans are important crops for India, and the government should consider changes in import-export policy to support their market.

Oilseed Prices in the Market

Here are the latest wholesale prices of oilseeds and oils:

  1. Mustard Oilseeds: ₹6,225–6,325 per quintal
  2. Groundnut (Peanut): ₹5,675–6,000 per quintal
  3. Groundnut Oil (Mill Delivery, Gujarat): ₹14,100 per quintal
  4. Groundnut Refined Oil: ₹2,140–2,440 per tin
  5. Mustard Oil (Dadri): ₹13,150 per quintal
  6. Mustard Oil (Pakki Ghani): ₹2,250–2,350 per tin
  7. Mustard Oil (Kachi Ghani): ₹2,250–2,375 per tin
  8. Sesame Oil (Mill Delivery): ₹18,900–21,000 per quintal
  9. Soybean Oil (Mill Delivery, Delhi): ₹13,250 per quintal
  10. Soybean Oil (Mill Delivery, Indore): ₹13,050 per quintal
  11. Soybean Oil (Degum, Kandla): ₹9,350 per quintal
  12. CPO (ex-Kandla): ₹12,250 per quintal
  13. Cottonseed Oil (Haryana): ₹12,400 per quintal
  14. Palmolein (RBD, Delhi): ₹13,800 per quintal
  15. Palmolein (ex-Kandla, without GST): ₹12,800 per quintal
  16. Soybean Grain: ₹4,275–4,325 per quintal
  17. Soybean (Loose): ₹3,975–4,075 per quintal