Fifteen days ago, mustard prices were at their lowest in 7 months. In Jaipur, the price of mustard reached ₹6350 and in Bharatpur, it was ₹5950 per quintal. At that time, the price of palm oil in Malaysia was ₹4512 ringgit per ton. By December 30, mustard prices surged by ₹300, although there was no significant rise in palm oil prices, which only increased by ₹100 ringgit. After December 30, mustard prices fell by ₹150-200 from their peak, while palm oil prices in Malaysia are now around ₹4350 ringgit per ton. This indicates that the Indian market is not fully following the foreign markets. It did not follow the rise in palm oil prices during the uptrend nor the decline during the downtrend. The market is currently driven by domestic fundamentals. Mustard Stock Situation: Currently, the total available mustard stock is less than 22 lakh tons. Assuming an average consumption of 10 lakh tons, this stock will be exhausted before the new crop arrives. Out of the 22 lakh tons, only 6.5 lakh tons of mustard remain with the farmers, while 11.5 lakh tons are with NAFED and approximately 4 lakh tons with stockists. Based on this data, it can be said that this year, mustard will not be carried forward. This could be a positive signal for the market. Outlook for the Coming Period: From January 15 onwards, the wedding season will begin, which may lead to an increase in demand for mustard oil. Due to the winter season, the demand is still somewhat stable, but the situation may change in the future. As with every year, the market might head towards a downturn, but considering the current circumstances, a significant decline in mustard prices is unlikely. The reason for this is the reduced area under mustard cultivation and the limited old stock. Government Data and MSP Impact: According to government data, mustard sowing has decreased from 93.73 lakh hectares to 88.5 lakh hectares this year, and the old stock is only 22 lakh tons. Additionally, the increased Minimum Support Price (MSP) will also support mustard prices this year. Considering all these factors, there doesn't seem to be a major weakness in mustard prices. However, since the new season is approaching, a significant rise in prices is not expected. Recommendation: For traders who currently have mustard stock, it is advisable to sell it now and buy new stock during the upcoming season, which can be stored and sold at better prices in the future.