Kharif oilseed output seen 25% up in '08

The country's kharif oilseed production in 2007-08 (Nov-Oct) is seen at 16.8 million tonnes (MT), up 25 per cent year-on-year, according to the Central Organisation of Oil Industry and Trade (COOIT).

A much higher soybean and groundnut crop have boosted prospects for kharif oilseed production, Davish Jain, chairman, COOIT, said at a two-day convention on oilseeds industry here. The kharif oilseed output projection at 16.8 MT is also higher than the earlier estimated 15.2 MT.

Late rains in the soybean and groundnut growing areas have improved crop prospects, industry officials said. Soybean output is expected to touch a record high of 9.46 MT, up 19 per cent y-o-y.

Groundnut crop is seen rising 50 per cent y-o-y to 5.27 MT in 2007-08, while groundnut oil output is expected to rise 20,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes.

COOIT has pegged the 2007-08 cotton crop output at 30 million bales, up 11 per cent y-o-y, and cotton oil output at 980,000 tonnes, up 9 per cent.

Coconut oil output is seen at 420,000 tonnes from 400,000 tonnes a year ago. Castor seed crop output in 2007-08 is likely to rise 9 per cent to 850,000 tonnes.

Sunflower seed crop output is expected to dip 530,000 tonnes down 10,000 tonnes. Sesame seeds output is expected to increase to 450,000 tonnes from 400,000 tonnes.