Oilseed output may dip 9% on low yield

Oilseed output is estimated to decline 9 per cent during the current kharif harvesting season due to a decline in acreage and low yield. Drought in the kharif sowing season followed by floods during the flowering period led to a 5 per cent fall in the acreage.

Data compiled by the Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA), from the discussions at the 47th All India Convention on oilseeds in Indore on Sunday, showed that the country’s seed output would decline to 13.65 million tonnes (MT) during the ongoing kharif harvesting season as compared with 15.03 MT in the corresponding season last year. The convention was hosted by Central Organisation for Oil Industry & Trade (COOIT), the apex body for oil and oilseeds in the country.

The overall yield is estimated to decline 4 per cent to 815 kg per hectare (ha) compared with 780 kg during the kharif season last year. Kharif season represents nearly 62 per cent of the total crop in the oil year (November-October).

Experts at the convention projected a decline of 50,000 tonnes in rice bran oil production to 800,000 tonnes during the year due to low paddy output. However, a 6 per cent rise in the cotton output may raise cotton seed availability to the similar tune.
 

TRICKLING DOWN
Particulars	2009-10			2008-09
	Acreage	Output	Yield	Acreage	Output	Yield
Groundnut	44.47	32.90	740.00	53.33	42.20	791.00
Soybean	96.12	85.00	884.00	96.35	89.00	924.00
Sunflower	6.05	3.20	529.00	6.79	4.00	589.00
Sesame	17.82	4.30	241.00	15.65	3.00	192.00
Castor	7.51	8.80	1,172.00	8.40	9.80	1,167.00
Niger	2.95	0.80	271.00	3.91	0.80	205.00
Toria	NA	1.50	--	NA	1.50	--
Total	174.92	136.50	780.00	184.43	150.30	815.00
Note: Acreage in Lakh ha, Output in lakh tn, Yield in kg/ha Source: SEA

According to the recent estimate by the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB), cotton output is estimated at 305 lakh bales compared to 288 lakh bales during 2008-09. Area under Bt cotton has reached nearly 87 per cent from 65 per cent last year. Similarly, cottonseed production is estimated at 9.46 MT against 8.93 MT last year.

Local palm oil production is estimated at 60,000 tonnes for the current year while vegetable oil availability from local (kharif oilseed crushing and secondary) route is estimated to decline 6 per cent at 5.02 MT compared with 5.36 MT last year.