Crushing of mustard by oil mills across the country fell 10.5% on month to 425,000 tn in December. After a three-month consecutive rise, crushing declined in December as arrivals in key markets fell. A crucial rabi oilseed crop, mustard is sown during Sep-Oct and harvested from late January. Supply of the new mustard crop began in February and gathered pace in March. Arrivals were in full swing until May, but began shrinking from June onwards, heralding the lean period. Since the beginning of crushing season in February, oil mills have crushed about 5.7 mln tn mustard seed against the total supply of 5.8 mln tn. Production of mustard in 2016-17 (Jul-Jun) was estimated at 6.7 mln tn, higher than 5.8 mln tn in the previous year, owing to improved yields and conducive weather.