Mustard seeds: EU reduces imports by more than a third
July 3, 2025 at 12:53 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Market players expect updated cultivation figures
In Canada, the official cultivation forecasts from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) remain unchanged for the time being. Compared to last year, only half of the acreage is said to have been sown, amounting to 117,000 hectares. Market players do not yet consider these estimates to be definitively confirmed, but it is undisputed that far less mustard seeds were grown than in 2024, according to the latest report from Rayglen Commodities. Local rain showers are having a positive effect on crop development, but further rainfall would be very welcome in the coming weeks. AAFC currently expects a yield decline of 6.3% to 0.74 mt/ha. Prices for yellow mustard seeds remain stable for the time being and are currently at a level of CAD 0.44-0.45/lb ex farm.
|
Mustard seeds, Canada |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Area sown (ha) |
258,000 |
245,000 |
-5.0% |
245,000 |
117,000 |
-52.2% |
|
Area harvested (ha) |
251,000 |
243,000 |
-3.2% |
243,000 |
115,000 |
-52.7% |
|
Yield (mt/ha) |
0.68 |
0.79 |
16.2% |
0.79 |
0.74 |
-6.3% |
|
Production (mt) |
171,000 |
192,000 |
12.3% |
192,000 |
85,000 |
-55.7% |
|
Imports (mt) |
16,000 |
9,000 |
-43.8% |
9,000 |
9,000 |
0.0% |
|
Total supplies (mt) |
227,000 |
290,000 |
27.8% |
290,000 |
244,000 |
-15.9% |
|
Exports (mt) |
96,000 |
95,000 |
-1.0% |
95,000 |
95,000 |
0.0% |
|
Domestic consumption (mt) |
42,000 |
45,000 |
7.1% |
45,000 |
44,000 |
-2.2% |
|
Carry-over stocks (mt) |
88,000 |
150,000 |
70.5% |
150,000 |
105,000 |
-30.0% |
|
Avg price in CAD/mt |
1,280 |
850 |
-33.6% |
850 |
870 |
2.4% |
|
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
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Canada is hardly competitive despite tariffs
Despite import tariffs of 50% on Russian mustard seed shipments to the EU, trade did not come to a complete standstill. However, Canadian exporters were hardly able to compete on price, which is reflected in the decline in EU shipments.
In the 2024/2025 season (1 July 2024 to 29 June 2025), a total of 78,054 mt of mustard seeds worth EUR 55.617 million were imported into the EU from third countries. This represents a year-on-year decline in import volume of 35.6%, which is partly attributable to the fact that imports rose significantly again at the end of last season before import duties on Russian shipments came into force. Meanwhile, the value of imports fell by as much as 43.6%.
Year-on-year, imports from Russia fell by 75.8% to 16,458 mt, but shipments from Canada were also down by 11.1% to 22,930 mt. In contrast, however, imports from countries such as Ukraine (+15.6% to 25,655 mt), Kazakhstan (+148.3% to 10,161 mt) and Moldova (+724.9% to 2,252 mt) rose significantly.
Important customer countries within the EU, such as Germany (-41.5% to 26,340 mt), Poland (-52.9% to 19,610 mt) and Belgium (-33.0% to 12,950 mt), have all significantly reduced their imports. In contrast, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic increased their imports by 54.2% to 6,970 mt and 67.1% to 3,710 mt respectively.
|
EU mustard seed imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
|
Ukraine |
22,189 |
25,655 |
15.6% |
|
Canada |
25,785 |
22,930 |
-11.1% |
|
Russia |
67,995 |
16,458 |
-75.8% |
|
Kazakhstan |
4,093 |
10,161 |
148.3% |
|
Moldova |
273 |
2,252 |
724.9% |
|
Others |
927 |
598 |
-35.5% |
|
Total |
121,262 |
78,054 |
-35.6% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/07-29/06 12075090 Mustard seeds, whether or not broken (excl. for sowing) |
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