Prices of parboiled rice exported from India held steady this week as strong demand from Africa offset pressure from new crop yields, while Vietnamese rates decreased due to strong supplies and Thai rates edged up on baht appreciation.

In a significant boost to Assam's agricultural export sector, state minister of education and welfare of plain tribe and backward classes, Ranoj Pegu, flagged off the first consignment of fresh produce to Dubai from Sivasagar district on Thursday. The shipment, consisting of 1,000 kg of lemons and 1,500 kg of pumpkins, marks a milestone in the state's efforts to establish itself in the international market.

India and Britain will resume their talks on a free trade agreement by the end of January, an Indian government source told Reuters on Thursday.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been incentivizing food processing entrepreneurs, including small and medium, for setting up/expansion of related industries through its Central Sector Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Scheme, Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Centrally Sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme across the country. These schemes are not region or state specific but demand driven.

With the global demand for Indian spirits growing at a healthy rate, the government is planning to promote both Indian alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the international markets and is eyeing USD one billion (about Rs 8,000 crore) exports in the next few years. The commerce ministry’s arm APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) said that India currently ranks 40th in the world for alcoholic beverage exports. As per estimates, the country has huge unrealised export potential.

India should not be overly concerned about imports as long as exports' share continues to grow, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on Thursday. He also said the world needs to avoid protectionism which creates more trade barriers and hinders movement of goods.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal reaffirmed India's commitment to forging a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) during an interaction with Ambassadors from the European Commission delegation and member states.

India's maritime sector is poised to play a transformative role in the country's vision of becoming world's third-largest economy, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said Wednesday.