Mustard output to fall 9% on year to 6.4 mln tn in 2017-18 (Oct-Sep) because of lower acreage. Acreage was hit due to low soil moisture in Rajasthan, the top grower, and shift to other crops for better realisation. However, the USDA arm expects India’s mustard meal exports to double to 500,000 tn in 2017-18. Imports of mustard oil are seen rising to 500,000 tn from 325,000 tn a year ago. Mustard accounts for 25% of the country’s total oilseed production and comprises about 80% of rabi oilseed basket. The US agency estimated India’s 2017-18 soybean production at 9.0 mln tn, down 0.5 mln tn from the preceding year due to lower-than-expected yields. The Foreign Agriculture Services expects kharif oilmeal exports to rise to 810,717 tn in 2017-18, from 600,499 tn a year ago. The agency has projected India’s 2017-18 edible oil imports at an all-time high of 16.6 mln tn