Rabi oilseed output to decline 16%

India’s rabi oilseed output is estimated to decline 16 per cent this year on lower area under acreage and crop damage by unseasonal rainfalls and hailstorms. Apex trade body the Central Organisation for Oil Industry & Trade forecast total oilseed production at 8.40 million tonnes for the season 2014-15 as compared to 9.14 million tonnes in the previous rabi season.

Lower seed production may raise India’s dependence on veg oil imports.