• India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in December 2023* is estimated to be USD 66.33 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 4.25 per cent over December 2022. Overall imports in December 2023* is estimated to be USD 71.50 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of  (-) 7.18 per cent over December 2022.

Table 1: Trade during December 2023*

* Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for November 2023. The data for December 2023 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release. (ii) Data for April-December 2022 and April-September 2023 has been revised on pro-rata basis using quarterly balance of payments data.

Fig 1: Overall Trade during December 2023*

• India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-December 2023* are estimated to be USD 565.04 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 1.87 per cent over April-December 2022. Overall imports in April-December 2023* are estimated to be USD 634.39 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 7.24 per cent over April-December 2022.

Table 2: Trade during April-December 2023*

		April-December 2023 (USD Billion)	April-December 2022  (USD Billion)
Merchandise	Exports	317.12	336.30
	Imports	505.15	548.64
pib.gov.in
	16 Jan, 2024 India set to become largest lentil producer in 2023-24 crop yr: Official. India is on track to become the world’s largest producer of lentil (masoor) in the 2023-24 crop year owing to a surge in its production projected to be around 1.6 million tonnes, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said here on Friday. Speaking at an event held ahead of India’s hosting of the Global Pulse Conference (GPC) in February, Singh said the government is aiming to make India self-sufficient in pulses by December 2027 but the country will have to depend on imports for a while.   'Our lentil production this year, we believe, would be the highest in the world,' he said. 'In chana (chickpea), we produce more than we consume but in the case of urad, tur and moong, we produce less and consume more. We also need to keep an eye on the global production trends to fill the gaps,' he added. If the projections come true, India’s lentil production in 2023-24 would be the highest since 2017-18, when the domestic output was around 1.62 million tonnes. The agricultural crop year in India is from July to June. Officials said a sharp increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) from Rs 5,100 per quintal in 2020-21 to almost Rs 6,425 per quintal in 2024-25 (marketing year), a rise of almost 26 per cent, was one of the prime reasons for the renewed interest of farmers towards lentil. The market price of lentils at present is around Rs 6,100-6,125 per quintal which is below the MSP. Only a few months ago, the market rate was around Rs 7,500-8,000 per quintal, which might have also prompted farmers to cultivate more. Lentil was planted in about 1.94 million hectares till January 12, which was 6.01 per cent more than the same period last year. Trade sources said lentil production in Canada was initially projected at around 1.67 million tonnes which is more than India’s estimated output but was later scaled down by almost 30 per cent, pushing India to the forefront.   Lentil production in Australia, another major global market player, is projected at around 1.4 million tonnes in 2023-24. Lentil has emerged as an important pulse crop for India in the wake of the recent diplomatic row with Canada where it is grown mainly. India is a big importer of the crop. India, Australia and Canada are the top three lentil producers in the world. With domestic production expected to rise this year, imports might slightly decrease.   Earlier this month, Cooperation and Home Minister Amit Shah said the government was committed to making India self-sufficient in pulses by December 2027 and will ensure that not a single kilogram of pulses is imported into the country from January 2028. 'We are on the path to self-sufficiency and as the Home Minister has said if a farmer grows pulses he will have a full fertiliser factory in his field due to inherent benefits of the crop and we firmly believe in the same,' Managing Director of Nafed Ritesh Chauhan who was also present in the programme said.  Source:  business-standard.com
16 Jan, 2024 Nashik exports over 1,000 tonnes of grapes. Over 1,000 tonnes of grapes have been exported to the European countries from the district in the past few days, the district agriculture department said on Tuesday. According to an official from the agriculture department, this was the first consignment of grapes exported from the district this season. 'Around 76 containers, with 1,050 tonnes of grapes, have been exported to the Netherlands and Romania,' the official said, while talking to TOI. Kailas Bhosle, vice-president of Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagayatdar Sangh (MRDB), said export of grapes have begun from the district and the process will gather pace after January 15. 'Currently, the weather condition in the district is not favourable and delaying the grape harvest. Harvest will gain momentum in the second-half of January and exports will increase thereafter. Maximum grape export will happen in the month of February,' Bhosle said. During the 2022-23 grape season (December-April), the district had exported 1.27 lakh tonne of grapes, out of which 92,000 tonne were sent to European nations and remaining 35,000 tonne to non-European countries. In the 2021-22 season, the district had exported 1.29 lakh tonne of grapes. According to grape exporters, this year the export figure will be around 1.20 lakh tonne. As per norms, it is mandatory for the farmers to register their vineyards with the state agriculture department to exporting grapes. Over 28,000 farmers have registered around 18,600 hectares of vineyards for grape export in Nashik district for the 2023-24 grape season.   The area under grape plantation in Nashik district is estimated to be around 58,367 hectare, including 22,000 hectare in Niphad, 15,758 hectare in Dindori, 11,671 hectare in Nashik and 5,148 hectare in Chandwad. The remaining vineyards are located in Bagalan and Kalwan talukas of the district. Out of the 58,367 hectare in Nashik, early harvest takes place between September and November on 2,400 hectare — around 4% of the total plantation. The regular grape harvest, which begins in January, is taken on the remaining 96% of the plantation in the district. We also published the following articles recently Exporter cheated out of 25L A man from Gandhinagar, Suman Patel, was cheated out of Rs 25 lakh by a group of people who promised to deliver the money to his business partner Mitesh Patel in Dubai. Suman sought help from his friend Anand Patel, who referred him to Thakore, a resident of Naroda. Thakore connected Suman with Dhanak in Rajkot through Mahendra Patel's angadia company to deliver the money. However, Mitesh never received the money.  Source:  timesofindia.indiatimes.com
16 Jan, 2024 Organic revolution has gathered movement, grown across markets worldwide. The term 'organic revolution' denotes the shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. This movement gained momentum as consumers became more conscious of their health, the environment, and the quality of the food they consume.   The roots of the organic movement can be traced back to the early 20th century. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that the movement gained significant traction. Pioneers such as Rachel Carson, author of 'Silent Spring,' brought attention to the environmental impacts of pesticides, sparking a renewed interest in organic farming.   Global trends According to the latest data from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the global organic agricultural area has expanded by 50 per cent in the past decade. More than 76.4 million hectares were organically managed at the end of 2021. This represents a growth of 1.7 per cent compared to 2020. With 35.7 million hectares, Australia had the largest area under organic agriculture, followed by Argentina and France.   Over the years, organic farmland area has increased in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania highlighting the growing status of the organic food sector as a lucrative market. Slightly less than half of the global organic agricultural land was in Oceania with 35.9 million hectares followed by Europe and Latin America.   Consumer awareness, demand The surge in consumer demand for organic products is a driving force behind the organic revolution. 3.7 million organic producers were reported in 2021, an increase of 4.9 per cent from 2020. At 1.6 million, India remained the country with the most organic producers.   Organic farming practices prioritise soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable land management. Organic agriculture has the potential to contribute significantly to mitigating climate change, preserving water resources, and maintaining soil fertility.   In 2021, global organic food sales amounted to about $132.74 billion, whereas it was just $18 billion in 2000. In 2021, In India alone there were nearly 1.6 million organic food producers, more than any other country.   North America holds a substantial share, representing nearly half of global organic food retail sales. This region stands as the second-largest market for organic food globally, following Europe. The United States predominantly contributes to this share. Since 2008, organic food has consistently claimed an increasing proportion of total food sales in the United States. Notably, in 2020, organic food accounted for approximately six per cent of the overall food sales in the United States.   Way forward While the organic revolution has gained substantial ground, it faces its share of challenges. The cost of organic certification and the scalability of organic farming operations are persistent concerns.   Governmental support and regulations Governments worldwide are recognising the importance of supporting organic agriculture. In the European Union, the Common Agricultural Policy allocates funds to promote organic farming practices. In the United States, the National Organic Program (NOP) sets the standards for organic certification, ensuring that products labeled as 'organic' meet specific criteria.   Indian organic market India’s organic food market has experienced remarkable growth post-pandemic. According to a survey conducted in 2022 across 187 countries practicing organic agriculture, as reported by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), India boasts the cultivation of organic food across 2.6 million hectares, ranking it as the fifth-largest globally. The data further indicates that the proportion of land dedicated to organic farming in the overall agricultural landscape is 1.5 per cent. Over the past decade, India has witnessed a substantial increase of 145.1 per cent in the land allocated to organic agriculture.   In alignment with this growth, the Economic Survey for the fiscal year 2022-2023 highlighted that India is home to 4.43 million organic farmers, establishing the country as a global leader in terms of organic farming practitioners.   As per APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, India produced around 2.9 million tonnes (2022-23) of certified organic products, including oilseeds, fibre, sugarcane, cereals and millets, cotton, pulses, aromatic and medicinal plants, tea, coffee, fruits, spices, dry fruits, vegetables, and processed foods. This sector’s production extends beyond edible goods to include organic cotton fibre and functional food products.   Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the leading state in organic production, with significant contributions from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Odisha. When considering specific commodities, fibre crops stand out as the largest category, succeeded by oilseeds, sugar crops, cereals and millets, medicinal/herbal and aromatic plants, spices and condiments, fresh fruits and vegetables, pulses, and tea and coffee. This broad spectrum highlights the diverse and expansive nature of organic agriculture in these regions.   Opportunities Emerging economies present significant opportunities for the organic market. According to a market research report by Grand View Research, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth in the organic food market over the next five years. While the organic market growth appeared to slow down in 2022, the momentum for the organic sector has continued to build around the world. Numerous nations have sustained or introduced supportive measures for organic agriculture, unveiling new strategies or policies to stimulate its development. This is reflected in the rise in globally implemented national regulatory frameworks for organics, now totalling 74.   As we look ahead, the future of the organic revolution appears promising. Advancements in technology, such as precision agriculture and agro-ecology, are expected to enhance the efficiency and productivity of organic farming. In addition to this, ongoing research into organic farming methods aims to address scalability challenges, making organic agriculture a viable option for meeting global food demands sustainably.  Source:  thehindubusinessline.com
16 Jan, 2024 Kachchhi Kharek, indigenous dates of Kutch, become Gujarat s 2nd fruit to get GI tag. Kachchhi Kharek, the indigenous variety of dates of Kutch, has become the second fruit of Gujarat to get a geographical indication (GI) tag from the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDT) of India. Jubilant farmers of the semi-arid district have hailed the decision.   The office of the CGPDT awarded a certificate of GI to Kuchchhi Kharek or Kutchi dates earlier this month on January 2 after granting an application filed by the Unidates Farmer Producer Company Limited (UFPCL), a farmer producer organisation of Kutch.   The application was initiated in June 2021 by Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agriculture University (SDAU) through CM Muralidharan, the then-research scientist at SDAU’s Date Palm Research Station in Mundra, Kutch. Later, however, the SDAU became a facilitator and made the UFPCL the applicant.   'This is great news for date palm growers of Kutch as a GI tag for their kharek will give their produce a unique identity. That, in turn, will open new avenues of marketing and processing of these tasty fruits,' Muralidharan, who is now director of research and dean of postgraduate studies at SDAU, told The Indian Express.   With this, fresh dates of Kutch become the second fruit from Gujarat to get a GI tag. In 2011, Gir kesar mango — grown in present-day Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Amreli districts of Saurashtra — was given the GI tag. The same year, Bhalia wheat grown in Bhal region abutting central Gujarat and Saurashtra regions of Gujarat was also awarded the tag.   'The presence of dates in Kachchh (Kutch) is believed to be around 400-500 years old. It is believed that date palm groves along the north-western border of India have developed from the seeds thrown by the settlers, who used to visit Middle-East countries for Haj and also for trade from where they brought a lot of plant material. It is also probable that the Arab gardeners working in the palaces of the former rulers of Kachchh might also have contributed to the import of the date seeds and offshoots from Arab countries,' GI Journal published by CGPTD in August last year recorded while quoting from UFPCL application.   Muralidharan said that there are around two million date palms in Kutch today and around 1.7 million of them are seedling-origin palms of deshi (indigenous) varieties. 'Because they are seedling propagated palms, each of them is a unique palm in itself, representing a vast range of diversity in characteristics. Dates borne by these palms have diverse colours, size, shape, and taste, making the fruits grown in Kutch unique and hence eligible for a GI tag,' the Dean said.   Dates grown in Kutch are harvested at the khalal stage, the stage when fruits have matured, accumulated sucrose, and have turned red or yellow but are still crisp. In other countries, they are allowed to ripen further till they become soft and dark brown or black in colour.   'Probably, Kachchh is the only place around the globe where fresh dates are economically cultivated, marketed, and consumed. The area is accounting for more than 85 % of total dates palm cultivation in India,' the GI Journal further notes.   Date palms flower in January-February and kharek or fresh dates are harvested in June-July in Kutch where the southwest monsoon reaches later than other parts of Gujarat. 'These dates in Kutch have to be harvested at khalal stage as they can’t withstand moist weather,' Muralidharan said. According to the Gujarat government, 19,251 ha (hectares) in Kutch is under date palm cultivation, which is 94 per cent of the state’s total date palm cultivation area of 20,446 ha.   Hailing the development, Vikramsinh Jadeja, General Secretary of Kutch Date Palm Growers Association (KDPGA), an organisation of farmers in Kutch, said, 'We will be able to do branding of our fresh dates on the lines of Gir Kesar mango. The GI tag will increase consumer confidence in our fruits and that in turn will help farmers realise better prices.'  Source:  indianexpress.com
Back to First Prev … 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 … Next Go to Last