India’s rapeseed acreage is set to reach a record high thanks to favourable weather conditions and demand from China

This year, rapeseed acreage in India is forecast to reach a new high due to record purchases of rapeseed meal by China and above-average rainfall, which has resulted in favorable soil moisture conditions for growing the crop, Reuters reports.

According to traders, rapeseed and mustard acreage will increase by 7-8% in 2025. Domestic demand is high, with China purchasing record volumes of rapeseed meal, and stable production will allow India to reduce its vegetable oil imports.

As rapeseed is the country’s primary winter oilseed crop, increased production will also help India, the world’s largest importer of edible oil, reduce costly oil purchases abroad.

“Farmers made a big profit from last year’s rapeseed crop, so they will sow even more acreage this year,” said leading traders in Jaipur, located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan.

Tags: rapeseed, sown area, India