Mustard seeds: quality suffers due to weather conditions
January 28, 2026 at 12:19 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Increase in demand in the second half of January
After the turn of the year, the Canadian mustard seed market remained relatively quiet and prices remained stable in the first few weeks. However, according to the experts at Rayglen Commodities, trading activity picked up again in the second half of the month as traders received an increasing number of spot enquiries. While prices for brown and golden flaxseed remain stable for the time being, prices for high-quality Oriental mustard seeds rose to CAD 0.46-0.48/lb.
The latest report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada shows that Canada's mustard seed production in 2025/2026 is estimated to reach 140,000 mt, which is 27.1% less than last year. Although yields were significantly higher at 0.97 mt/ha (2024/2025: 0.79 mt/ha), this only partially offset the 40% reduction in acreage to 145,000 ha. Thanks to carry-over stocks from the previous year, however, a total of 292,000 mt should still be available on the Canadian market, which is more than in previous years. However, the proportion of goods that do not meet the quality standard was comparatively high due to unfavourable weather conditions this season.
|
Senfsaat, Kanada |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Area sown (ha) |
258,000 |
245,000 |
-5.0% |
245,000 |
146,000 |
-40.4% |
|
Area harvested (ha) |
251,000 |
243,000 |
-3.2% |
243,000 |
145,000 |
-40.3% |
|
Yield (mt/ha) |
0.68 |
0.79 |
16.2% |
0.79 |
0.97 |
22.8% |
|
Production (mt) |
171,000 |
192,000 |
12.3% |
192,000 |
140,000 |
-27.1% |
|
Imports (mt) |
16,000 |
8,000 |
-50.0% |
8,000 |
9,000 |
12.5% |
|
Total supplies (mt) |
227,000 |
288,000 |
26.9% |
288,000 |
292,000 |
1.4% |
|
Exports (mt) |
96,000 |
91,000 |
-5.2% |
91,000 |
95,000 |
4.4% |
|
Domestic consumption (mt) |
42,000 |
54,000 |
28.6% |
54,000 |
52,000 |
-3.7% |
|
Carry-over stocks (mt) |
88,000 |
143,000 |
62.5% |
143,000 |
145,000 |
1.4% |
|
Avg price in CAD/mt |
1,280 |
860 |
-32.8% |
860 |
880 |
2.3% |
|
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
||||||
EU imports: Ukraine overtakes Russia
Mustard seed imports into the EU remain at a high level. According to data from the European Commission, a total of 48,137 mt of mustard seeds was imported from third countries between 1 July 2025 and 25 January 2026, which is 11.4% more than at this time last year. The import value for the above-mentioned period amounted to EUR 29.172 million (-12.9%), while the average import price fell by 21.8% to EUR 0.61/kg compared to the same period last year.
This is partly due to imports from Brazil of 6,695 mt, which were recorded in the first month of the new season but have since stagnated. In addition, shipments from both Canada and Kazakhstan have increased by 7.7% to 14,463 mt and 14.2% to 6,825 mt respectively compared to the previous year. Although imports from Russia are also up 61.9% year-on-year to 9,421 mt, the country was the most important supplier until import duties were imposed on Russian agricultural products entering the EU. Meanwhile, shipments from Ukraine have fallen by 41.7% to 9,668 mt.
The most important customer within the EU is currently Belgium, which increased its imports by a whopping 172.6% year-on-year to 16,410 mt. In contrast, both Germany (-24.5% to 11,120 mt) and Poland (-3.4% to 10,050 mt) reduced their imports during the above-mentioned period.
|
EU mustard seed imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Canada |
13,433 |
14,463 |
7.7% |
|
Ukraine |
16,569 |
9,668 |
-41.7% |
|
Russia |
5,818 |
9,421 |
61.9% |
|
Kazakhstan |
5,975 |
6,825 |
14.2% |
|
Brazil |
0 |
6,695 |
n/a |
|
Moldova |
1,046 |
856 |
-18.2% |
|
India |
197 |
118 |
-40.1% |
|
Others |
191 |
91 |
-52.4% |
|
Total |
43,229 |
48,137 |
11.4% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/07-25/01 12075090 Mustard seeds, whether or not broken (excl. for sowing) |
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