Mustard and rapeseed sowing in India lags last year’s pace by 46%
India’s mustard and rapeseed sowing fell 46.16% year over year to 2.05 million hectares by October 30, 2026, despite firm prices and a higher MSP. Rajasthan recorded the steepest decline at 59.61%, while recent rainfall may accelerate planting and narrow the gap.
Mustard and rapeseed sowing in India is significantly behind last year’s pace in the current rabi season. As of October 30, 2026, the area planted with these oilseed crops reached 2.05 mln ha, compared with 3.807 mln ha on the same date last year, representing a decline of 46.16%. According to India’s Ministry of Agriculture, the slowdown comes despite high domestic mustard prices and an increase in the government’s minimum support price.
The largest decline in sowing progress was recorded in Rajasthan, India’s leading mustard-producing state. Only 891 thsd ha had been planted, compared with 2.206 mln ha a year earlier, a decrease of 59.61%. In Uttar Pradesh, the planted area reached 1.038 mln ha against 1.333 mln ha last year, down 22.19%. An even sharper decline was observed in Haryana, where sowing fell by 72.09% to 60 thsd ha, compared with 215 thsd ha a year earlier.
Meanwhile, mustard prices in Rajasthan’s markets remain high, ranging from Rs 7,600 to Rs 9,300 per quintal (100 kg). The Indian government has set the minimum support price (MSP) for mustard at Rs 6,613 per quintal for the current season, up from Rs 6,200 last year. Despite favorable prices, farmers have been slow to proceed with sowing. However, recent rainfall is expected to accelerate fieldwork and could help narrow the gap with last year’s sowing pace.
Overall, the area planted with all oilseed crops during the rabi season reached 2.097 mln ha as of October 30, compared with 3.862 mln ha a year earlier, a decline of 45.7%. Mustard and rapeseed remain the main winter oilseed crops, accounting for the majority of the planted area. Groundnut was an exception, with its acreage increasing by more than 62% to 25 thsd ha, compared with 15 thsd ha last year.
Sowing is also lagging for other agricultural crops in India. The total area planted with rabi crops is currently 43.5% below last year’s level. In particular, wheat sowing has covered only 19 thsd ha, compared with 334 thsd ha a year earlier, representing a decline of 94.22%. Pulse crop acreage is down 51.7% at 945 thsd ha, while the area under coarse cereals has decreased by 10.4% to 378 thsd ha. Further sowing progress will depend on weather conditions and the pace of fieldwork in the coming weeks.
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Source : Ukr Agro Consult
