INTERNATIONAL MARKET SCENARIO OF MUSTARD SEED

International market of Mustard seed

The origin of mustard is not known to the world but it is said that it grew wild in the northern hemisphere. It is also said that this plant got spread through birds, winds and biological dispersals. The ancient Greeks first started using mustard to add flavor to their food and also as drugs. Mustard was not extensively used until it was brought to Gaul by the Romans and after that it started gaining importance. French monasteries started the trading of mustard preparations.

With time, many regulations were made regarding the production of mustard and it started gaining popularity between the masses too. It became the primary spice of the early Europeans. When the spices started coming from America and Far East, mustard’s popularity registered a downfall. The house of Maille observed this downfall and the market for mustard was revived again. Mustard started gaining back its importance in Europe and especially in France. The city of Dijon is known as the mustard power of the world since then.

Mustard seed and rapeseed have great importance in many countries as spices. But, these seeds have important by-products too. Rapeseeds and mustard seeds are sources of rapeseed/mustard seed oil and oilcake. In the production process, around 37% oil is yielded and the rest is oil cake.

Mustard and rapeseed production is on a rising. World’s total production of rapeseed hovers around 40 million tones. Mustard seed production reached at a figure of 36.54 million tones in 2001-2002. European Union leads the list of rapeseed producing countries with around 13 million tons of production. The production of rapeseed oil is around 14 million tons.

As the leading producing countries rapeseed oil usually produce it to meet their own domestic demand, that’s why the world trade in this oil is very low as compared to the other edible oils. Canada is the largest exporter of the mustard and rapeseed seeds and seed oil. Australia follows Canada in the production of seeds. The major seed importing countries are Japan and Mexico and US leads the list of mustard and rapeseed oil importing countries.

Like production, consumption too has been increasing rapidly. There are countries like China, India, Canada, Japan, Mexico, US and European Union that consume mustard and rapeseed oil cake extensively.

Producing country:

• China
• Canada
• India
• Germany
• France
• Australia
• Pakistan
• Poland
• Japan
• Australia
• Bangladesh
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Mexico
• Austria
• Nepal
• Russia
• Bhutan
• Finland
• Myanmar
• United Kingdom

European Union tops the production chart with around 13 million tons of production every year. The maximum area covered under mustard/rape cultivation is by China, which is also the second largest producer. Third position is held by India. Regarding the production of rape/mustard oil, China holds the first place followed by Germany, Canada and India.

Major trading centre

• Winnipeg commodity exchange (Canada)
• Marche A Terme International de France (Paris Futures Exchange) (France)
• China
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• Netherland