USDA arm pegs India 2017-18 mustard crop at 6.4 mln tn

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

NAFED procures 128,297 tn of chana at MSP in five states

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India had procured 128,297 tn of chana under the price support scheme across Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. The federation bought 8,762 tn in Rajasthan, 5,785 tn in Maharashtra, 18,505 tn in Andhra Pradesh, 63,901 tn in Karnataka, and 31,344 tn in Telangana as market prices in these states have slipped below the minimum support price of 4,400 rupees per 100 kg, inclusive of a 150-rupee bonus.Prices of chana have plunged due to poor demand from dal millers and rise in supply of the new crop in key markets.

Malaysia palm oil up on demand ahead of Ramzan

Futures contracts of crude palm oil on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose on expectations of a rise in demand ahead of Ramzan in May. The prices of crude palm oil and soyoil typically move in tandem as the commodities are used as substitutes for each other. The decline in palm oil inventories in Malaysia by 12% on-month to 2.18 mln tn in March.