Mustard seeds: poor quality
November 26, 2025 at 12:44 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Yields higher than expected
Canadian mustard seed production experienced a significant increase this year. According to experts at Rayglen Commodities, Saskatchewan Agriculture (SaskAg) recently raised its yield estimates once again, putting them well above StatsCan's forecasts. Overall, this is said to have ensured that mustard seed production was only 4% lower than in 2024, despite a decline in cultivation to around 146,000 ha (-40% compared to last year). This would put this year's crop at 184,320 mt.
However, market players are concerned about reports of poor quality of the 2025 crop. A report by SaskAg states that only 55% of the crop meets grade 1 standards, which is well below the 10-year average of 74%. A further 20% would be grade 2, 6% grade 3 and a considerable 13% grade 4. Rayglen Commodities recommends that growers have their crop graded as soon as possible, as the market for goods outside this classification is very limited. However, there are still sufficient good quality mustard seeds available from the 2024 crop to offset the deficit and thus ensure stable prices for the current season. Canadian mustard seeds are currently being offered for prompt shipments at a level of CAD 0.41/kg FOB, while later shipment dates are at CAD 0.44-0.46/kg.
EU imports remain at a high level
Mustard seed imports into the EU started the new season at record levels. In the past four weeks, however, imports have declined slightly, but remain at a high level. According to data from the European Commission, a total of 33,214 mt of mustard seeds were imported from third countries between 1 July and 16 November 2025, which is 31.6% more than at this time last year and the highest import figure in the last five years. The import value for the above-mentioned period amounted to EUR 22.293 million (-6.4%), while the average import price fell by 29.3% to EUR 0.58/kg compared to the same period last year.
This is partly due to imports from Brazil, which were recorded in the first month of the new season but have since stagnated. In addition, shipments from Canada rose by 3.3% compared to last year, reaching a five-year high. Although imports from Russia also rose by 329.4% year-on-year to 8,211 mt, the country was the most important supplier until import duties were imposed on Russian agricultural products entering the EU. Meanwhile, shipments from Ukraine fell by 45.2% to 7,027 mt.
The most important customer within the EU is currently Belgium, which has increased its imports by a whopping 221.2% year-on-year to 14,550 mt. Poland's imports also increased by 50.9% to 9,220 mt, while Germany imported almost 17% less mustard seeds, at 7,860 mt.
|
EU mustard seed imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Canada |
9,904 |
10,235 |
3.3% |
|
Russia |
1,912 |
8,211 |
329.4% |
|
Ukraine |
12,828 |
7,027 |
-45.2% |
|
Brazil |
- |
6,695 |
n/a |
|
Kazakhstan |
3,664 |
5,177 |
41.3% |
|
Others |
732 |
869 |
18.7% |
|
Total |
29,040 |
38,214 |
31.6% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/07-16/11 12075090 Mustard seeds, whether or not broken (excl. for sowing) |
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