India: Oilseeds and Products Update
For (marketing year) MY 2014/15, total oilseed production is expected to decrease by 3.4 percent to 36.5 million metric tons (MMT) on lower kharif (fall and early harvested) area due to poor weather. Below-normal rains, high temperatures, and less water availability from major reservoirs reportedly slowed kharif (fall and early harvested) crop planting progress; this is expected to affect negatively both rainfed and irrigated crop production. MY 2014/15 total edible oil imports are estimated at 12.3 MMT, up 12 percent on competitive international prices, growing demand from middle class consumers, and lower domestic oilseed supplies.
