Where Does India Get Mustard Oil From?

India is the largest producer of mustard oil in the world, with production capacity crossing approximately 12 million tonnes in 2023-24. Mustard oil is a staple cooking medium in Indian kitchens. India is also the largest consumer of mustard oil. India's 15 per cent of total edible oil demand is dominated by mustard oil. Popular for its high smoking point, mustard oil is suitable for cooking and also Ayurveda therapeutic use. 

Did you know? Mustard is a Rabi (winter) crop sown between October and November. It is harvested between March and May. For mustard cultivation, cool weather is required with temperatures between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius. Mustard seeds grow well in well-drained, fertile, sandy to heavy loam soil in India's northern and central plains, particularly Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Where does India get Mustard Oil From?

Rajasthan is the largest producer of mustard oil in India. With favourable climatic conditions for mustard cultivation, Rajasthan is known as the 'Mustard State of India'. It contributes about 40 to 50 per cent of India's total mustard oil production. Key regions include Bharatpur, Hanumangarh, and Sriganganagar.

Apart from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Assam, Bihar, and Punjab are among the top 10 mustard-oil-producing states in India.

India is mostly self-sufficient in mustard oil production, with over 90 per cent produced domestically. India imports mustard oil nominally from the UAE, Australia, Germany, Ukraine, and Nepal.

How is mustard oil produced in India?

Mustard oil is extracted from rapeseed and mustard seeds. Rapeseed-mustard is India's second largest edible oilseed crop. Key mustard oil production methods inclide Kachchi Ghani (cold pressed), oil expeller, and solvent extraction. The extracted raw oil is then filtered to remove impurities.

Which country imports mustard oil from India?

Australia is the largest importer of mustard oil from India, with over 134,000 metric tonnes in export volume. Other key export destinations of Indian mustard oil include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the US, Nepal, Bhutan, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Singapore, and Kuwait.

Also read: Which Country Is The Largest Importer of Indian Seafood?