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India’s rapeseed plantings are poised to reach record highs this year, driven by favorable weather and robust Chinese demand for rapeseed meal. Above-average rainfall has improved soil moisture, encouraging higher sowing across major producing states. Farmers have already planted 4.17 million hectares, up 13.5% year-on-year, and total acreage is expected to rise 7–8%. Strong domestic demand for rapeseed oil and record exports to China have further supported the crop’s outlook. China’s shift from Canada to India for rapeseed meal has significantly boosted exports. Additionally, India’s government increased the minimum support price (MSP) by 4.2% to Rs.6,200 per quintal.

Key Highlights

*  Rapeseed acreage expected to hit a new record this season.

*  Sowing up 13.5% so far amid favorable rainfall and soil conditions.

*  China’s record imports from India after imposing tariffs on Canada.

*  Domestic demand and strong Chinese buying supporting rapeseed prices.

*  Government hikes MSP by 4.2% to Rs.6,200 per quintal

Rapeseed prices in India are likely to stay firm as the country gears up for a record-high planting season. Favorable monsoon rainfall and improved soil moisture have encouraged farmers to expand acreage, supported by strong demand both domestically and internationally.

So far, farmers have sown rapeseed across 4.17 million hectares, marking a 13.5% increase compared to last year’s pace. Overall, the combined planting area for rapeseed and mustard is projected to rise by 7–8% this season, surpassing last year’s 8.93 million hectares — already above the five-year average of 7.9 million hectares.

Price sentiment has also been buoyed by robust export demand from China, which has emerged as a key buyer of Indian rapeseed meal. After Beijing imposed a 100% retaliatory tariff on Canadian rapeseed products earlier this year, Chinese importers turned aggressively to India. Between April and September, China imported a record 488,168 metric tons of rapeseed meal from India — nearly eight times last year’s total exports.

Domestically, rapeseed oil consumption remains steady, and the government’s move to raise the minimum support price (MSP) for the new season by 4.2% to Rs.6,200 per quintal further supports farmer sentiment and production outlook.

Overall, favorable weather, record export demand, and supportive policy measures are expected to keep India’s rapeseed sector vibrant and well-positioned for growth in the coming season.

Finally, Strong Chinese demand, favorable rainfall, and a higher MSP are driving record rapeseed acreage in India, supporting both farmer incomes and the nation’s edible oil balance.

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