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Increase in oilseeds imports seen this year

AMER SIAL

ISLAMABAD: The import of edible oilseeds may increase in wake of the expected fall in domestic oilseeds production because of a sharp decline in acreage during the current rabi season.

The sharp decline in oilseeds acreage is being attributed to the suitable increase in the support price of wheat from Rs 240 to Rs 320 per 40 kg. But at Rs 500 per 40 kg for oilseeds, the support price was not proving to be attractive to farmers because of the lethargic attitude of agriculture extension staff.

According to the data presented to the Federal Committee on Agriculture, the target acreage for sunflower, this rabi was set at 500,000 acres, but the actual acreage gained is 290,000 acres. Last year, the acreage target for sunflower was set at 400,000 acres which increased to 427,000 acres.

This fiscal the expected sunflower oilseeds production stands at 202,916 tonnes with an estimated oil production of 77,109 tonnes with meal production of 91,312 tonnes. The value of oil and meal has been estimated at Rs 3.429 million. The oilseeds production last year was 299,000 tonnes with oil production of 113,620 tonnes. The value of oil and meal was Rs 5.053 million.

The target acreage for canola this rabi was set at 300,000 acres, but the gained acreage is 163,500 acres. During last rabi the target was same, but the achieved acreage was 175,000 acres.

This rabi, the expected canola oilseed production is estimated at 98,100 tonnes with an oil extraction estimate of 37,278 tonnes, and an estimated meal production of 98,100 tonnes. The value of oil and meal is being estimated at Rs 2.089 million. Last year, canola production of 87,500 tonnes, gave oil production of 33,250 tonnes with meal production of 52,500 tonnes, while value of oil and meal was Rs 1,584 million.