India and Russia will review energy and trade ties and also finalise the agenda for cooperation under multilateral frameworks including G-20, SCO and BRICS during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow on Tuesday.

 

Economic cooperation between the two countries is set to figure prominently during the visit, which is taking place amid the conflict in Ukraine.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs said that Jaishankar will visit Russia on Tuesday and Wednesday and he will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Prime and Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov.

 

'The external affairs minister will meet his counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia. Discussions are expected to cover the entire range of bilateral issues as well as exchange of views on various regional and international developments,' MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

 

'The external affairs minister will also meet Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov, his counterpart for the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC),' Bagchi said.

 

To a question on the Ukraine conflict, Bagchi said India has always emphasized on the need to return to diplomacy and dialogue to resolve it, adding, 'I am sure that the external affairs minister would certainly be reiterating it.' 'I cannot pre-judge what will be the discussions,' he said, noting that India is 'looking at the economic elements' and also an exchange of views and discussions on 'political developments'.

 

Bagchi said the visit will be in continuation of the regular high-level dialogue between the two sides.

 

Asked about Russia agreeing to rejoin a UN-backed agreement to allow the export of grain from Ukraine via a Black Sea corridor, Bagchi did not give a direct reply but said any effort to address the global food security challenge is a welcome move. 'We have been talking about the impact of the high prices of fertilisers, food and energy affecting countries around the world particularly the developing world and anything that helps that process in increasing the availability and reducing the cost of food etc is a welcome development,' he said.

 

'I do not have a specific comment on the grain deal as such because we are not directly involved in it. But we have seen reports that the resumption has happened,' Bagchi added.

 

In response to another question on some reports about nexus between Pakistan and Ukraine on nuclear proliferation, Bagchi chose not to make specific comment on it but noted that New Delhi expressed concerns over proliferation of nuclear technology from Pakistan in the past.

 

Of course, if there is any nexus or proliferation, it is not a cause for worry not only for India but for the international community, he said.

 

Jaishankar had last visited Russia in July last year which was followed by a visit to India by Lavrov in April.

 

In the last few months, India has increased the import of discounted crude oil from Russia notwithstanding increasing disquiet over it by several Western powers.

 

Jaishankar and Lavrov have already met four times after the Ukraine conflict began in February.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India in December last year to attend the India-Russia annual summit.

 

Both countries have a mechanism under which India’s prime minister and the Russian president hold a summit meeting annually to review the entire gamut of ties.

 

It is the turn of Prime Minister Modi to travel to Russia for this year’s summit. However, there is no clarity yet on the summit this year.

 

India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

 

Russia has been a time-tested partner for India and the country has been a key pillar of New Delhi’s foreign policy.

The 9th round of India-Republic of Korea (ROK) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) up-gradation negotiation was held in Seoul from November 3-4, 2022.

 

The two sides underlined the need to have negotiations, which are based on win-win approach, are forward looking and outcome oriented. Both sides shared the hope that the CEPA upgradation negotiations would play an important role in strengthening and deepening economic cooperation between both countries. Sub Groups on Trade in Goods, Services, Rules of Origin, Investment, SPS/TBT issues held in-depth discussions.

 

India raised serious concerns on the growing trade deficit between the two countries and discussed market access issues. Both sides agreed to work closely to address tariff and non-tariff barriers and deepen the relationship in the services sector. They also shared a common view that both sides should make utmost efforts to expedite negotiations in order to reach a mutually beneficial and satisfactory outcome during 2023, while taking note of the importance of the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

 

The Chief Negotiators also shared the view that both sides should promote conducive trade environment to enable both sides to fully utilize benefits under the CEPA. It was agreed that the 10th round of CEPA upgradation negotiations will be hosted by India in early 2023.

 

The Indian delegation was led by Chief Negotiator Mr. Anant Swarup, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India, while the Korean side was led by their Chief Negotiator Mr. Yang Ghi-Wuk, Director General, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), Government of the Republic of Korea.

Deputy Chief Minister K. Narayana Swamy underscored the need to extend more support to the mango farmers and mango-based industries in Chittoor district.

 

Addressing the representatives of mango pulp industries after inaugurating modern laboratories for the benefit of mango farmers and mango pulp industry at Chittoor on Saturday, Narayana Swamy recalled the service of Kattamanchi Balakrishna Reddy for the development of mango crop and pulp industry in Chittoor district.

 

Referring to many national highways passing through the district, he said the accessibility would bring more industries to the region.

 

Speaking on the occasion, energy minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy said the government has earmarked Rs 3,000 crore to handle the natural calamities and implementing e-crop booking and EKYC to address the crop damages.

 

He appreciated the fruit industry representatives for establishing a building in a peaceful atmosphere for all stakeholders.

 

Nandyal MP and member of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Pocha Brahmananda Reddy said Mango is an important crop among horticulture crops.

 

He expressed happiness over development of the mango-based industries in Chittoor because of the favourable climatic conditions.

 

He assured his cooperation for improving the export potential of mango pulp and other fruit products.

 

Chittoor legislator Arani Srinivasulu and secretary of Fruit Industry Association Govardhan Babi took part in the programme among others.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) may soon notify norms for permitting exporters to avail incentives under the foreign trade policy, even on realisation in rupee, an official said. The DGFT, under the commerce ministry, has already allowed invoicing, payment and settlement of exports and imports in Indian rupee, a move aimed at facilitating trade in the domestic currency.

 

In July, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had asked banks to put in place additional arrangements for export and import transactions in Indian rupees in view of increasing interest of the global trading community in the domestic currency.

 

'To permit exporters avail incentives under the foreign trade policy, norms will have to be notified for that,' the official said.

 

The DGFT has stated that settlement of trade transactions in INR may also take place through special rupee vostro accounts opened by authorised dealer banks in India.

As another measure to balance the price stability of sugar in the country and the financial positions of sugar mills in the country, based on initial estimates of sugarcane production, Government of India has allowed export of sugar upto 60 LMT during the sugar season 2022-23. DGFT has already notified to extend the inclusion of sugar exports under ‘Restricted’ category up to 31st October, 2023.

 

The Central Government has prioritized availability of about 275 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) sugar for domestic consumption, about 50 LMT sugar for diversion to ethanol production and to have closing balance of about 60 LMT as on 30.09.2023. Balance quantity of sugar produced by sugar mills in the country would be allowed for exports. Since at the beginning of sugar season 2022-23, initial estimates of sugarcane production are available, it has been decided to allow export of 60 LMT sugar. The sugarcane production in the country will be reviewed periodically and based on the latest available estimates, quantity of sugar exports to be allowed could be reconsidered.

 

During SS 2021-22, India exported 110 LMT sugar and became second largest exporter of sugar in the world and earned about Rs. 40,000 crore worth of foreign exchange for the country. Timely payment and low carrying cost of stocks for sugar mills also resulted in early clearance of cane arrears of farmers. As on 31.10.2022, more than 96% of cane dues of farmers for SS 2021-22 were already cleared despite record procurement of sugarcane of more than 1.18 lakh crore rupees.

 

In the sugar export policy for SS 2022-23, Government has announced sugar mill wise export quota for all sugar mills in the country with an objective system based on average production of sugar mills in last three years and average sugar production of the country in last 3 years. Further, to expedite the sugar exports and to ensure flexibility to sugar mills in execution of the export quota, mills may decide to surrender the quota partially or fully within 60 days of the date of issue of order OR they can swap the export quota with domestic quota within 60 days. This system would ensure lesser burden on logistics system of the country as swapping system would reduce the need to transport the sugar from distant locations to the ports for exports and movement of sugar across the length and breadth of the country for domestic consumption. Further, swapping would also ensure liquidation of sugar stocks of all mills as mills which are not able to export could swap their export quota with domestic quota of sugar mills which are able to export more, mainly due to their vicinity to ports. At the end of Sugar Season 2022-23, it is expected that most of sugar mills will be able to sell their production either in domestic market or in international market through exports and will clear the cane dues of farmers in time. Thus, the policy has created a WIN WIN situation for sugar mills in the country.

 

The sugar export policy is an indication of focus of Government on ensuring price stability in sugar sector in interest of domestic consumers. By restricting the sugar exports, domestic prices will remain under control and no major inflationary trends will arise in domestic market. Indian sugar market has already seen very nominal price increase which is in tune with increase in FRP of sugarcane for farmers.

 

Another focus area is production of ethanol in the country which is a priority area for the country to reduce dependence on fuel imports and to move towards green energy. Higher ethanol prices for producers have already encouraged distilleries to divert more sugar towards ethanol. The sugar export policy is another mechanism to ensure availability of sufficient sugarcane/sugar/molasses for ethanol production. Diversion of sugar towards ethanol production during ESY 2022-23 is expected to be 45-50 LMT.

 

By allowing sugar exports, Government has also protected the interest of cane farmers and sugar mills as mills will be able to take benefits of favourable international sugar price scenario and achieve better prices of sugar so that cane dues of farmers in current sugar season 2022-23 may also be paid timely and working capital costs of mills may reduce due to optimum level of sugar stocks with them.

 

In last 6 years, Government has taken multiple and timely initiatives in sugar sector enabling sugar mills to stand on their own and become a self-sufficient sector. During SS 2022-23, sugar mills were not given any subsidy for sugar production/marketing and even in current season, sugar sector of the country is expected to perform well with no financial support from Government of India. Facilitating diversion of sugar to ethanol production and export of surplus sugar as per availability, Government of India has taken care of interest of about 5 crore sugarcane farmer families as well as 5 lakh sugar mills workers along with a whole ecosystem of sugar sector including ethanol distilleries taking them on growth trajectory.

The West Bengal government is exporting meat from its Haringhata livestock unit in Nadia district to Qatar, where football enthusiasts from across the world are set to assemble for FIFA World Cup later this month, state minister Swapan Debnath said on Thursday.

 

Besides Qatar, the state will also be sending meat of goat and sheep from the processing centre in Haringhata -- owned by West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation - to countries such as Kuwait, Hong Kong and Maldives, the animal resource development minister said.

 

'We will be exporting meat to multiple countries, having received an approval from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA),' he stated.

 

Debnath said that the department would urge its 'agents' to push for a deal with the authorities responsible for food supply during the tournament.

 

'We have received a contract for exporting 1.2 metric tonne of meat. Around seven tonne will be sent in six batches in a month,' the minister added.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) organized a daylong capacity-building program on the development of Organic Food in Guwahati today.

 

Export Commissioner of Assam Himanga Dip Das said that value addition in food products is the most essential thing required for the development of organic food exports from Assam. He said that recently the State Government has taken several strong initiatives to promote exports. The government has a dedicated export development cell to facilitate exports. The cell has a tie-up with many reputed and professional organizations like the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

 

The Assam government has also formed an export cell at the district level with the deputy commissioner of the district as the head of the cell.

 

earlier Bhattacharjee, co-chairman of ICC Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing Committee highlighted various aspects of organic food products like certification, market linkages, new technological inputs and various infrastructure needs like cold storage, transportation etc.

 

Ashraf Kamal of APEDA highlighted various aspects of certification like PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) from APEDA which can be used by entrepreneurs. He also said about the potential markets like UAE, and USA and products that have the maximum potential from the state.

 

Dhruba Roy Choudhury of HDFC Bank has given a detailed presentation on the various crucial documentation required for doing export business, a press release said.

 

The Plant-Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) will represent the country at the three-day The Speciality Foods Festival to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre during November 8-10. It has registered itself as an associate partner of the event. 

 

The event is all set to be a leading one for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s gourmet and food industry.  

 

 A PBIFA statement said, 'The Speciality Food Festival is a platform to network with plant-based food and beverage companies from around the world. The 3-day exhibition will offer engagement opportunities to connect with the global industry to develop, source and distribute plant-based products.' 

 

The festival is a go-to destination for the industry to discover what’s new, source 20,000-plus products, learn about emerging trends, and build relationships with other food and drink professionals. 

 

Firm backed by Virat Kohli, Anushka

Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director, PBFIA, said, 'The Speciality Food Festival in particular is a great platform for startups to meet global leaders, develop good international partnerships, and learn about the latest industry trends in this sector.'

 

A PBFIA member, The Blue Tribe Foods, a leading company in this space in the country and backed by  popular cricketer Virat Kohli and his wife, Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, will be showcasing its products at the exhibition, Sethi said.

 

Those visiting the festival will get access to Gulfood Manufacturing, GulfHost, The Speciality Food Festival, ISM Middle East (previously Yummex ME) and Private Label Licensing ME.  

 

The demand for plant protein is increasing globally. A report by Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) and The Insight Partners said the Indian plant-based foods market is set to exceed the $5 billion (Rs.40,000 crores) mark by 2032. 

 

Of this, a significant share is expected to be occupied by the export market as well, which makes events like this even more important, so the plant-based industry can leverage this export potential.

Basmati exporters are optimistic about overseas demand and have purchased paddy at prices that are 12-24% higher than a year ago, boosted by an increase of 11% in exports of the fragrant rice during the first half of the current fiscal.

 

The buying frenzy that has led to the price increase has been observed at agricultural produce marketing committee (APMC) yards, despite the crop arriving 20% earlier last month.

 

Arrivals of basmati paddy at APMC yards in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, which account for 97 percent of the country's basmati production, increased by 20.3% to 13.51 lakh tonnes (lt) in October from 11.23 lakh tonnes (lt) the previous year, according to Agmarknet, an Agriculture Ministry unit. While Haryana has seen a more than threefold increase in arrivals to 2.65 lakh tonnes (lt), Punjab has seen a 43% decrease to 2.13 lakh tonnes (lt). In October, arrivals in Uttar Pradesh increased by 31% to 8.72 lakh tonnes (lt).

 

Normally, higher supplies cause price drops, but in the case of basmati, paddy prices increased in October, rising as much as 18.6 percent to Rs 3,322/quintal in Haryana and 11.5 percent to Rs 3,045/quintal in Uttar Pradesh. The average mandi rate in Punjab has risen to Rs 2,724/quintal, a 23.5 percent increase over the previous year.

 

According to an exporter, basmati exports are no longer limited to the old big players because many new people have entered the trade and are exporting small quantities. 'Fortunately, as a result of previous experience, these new players have become wiser and are not willing to supply on full credit, nor are they lowering the contract price excessively,' he said. Buyers in some countries were reported to have defaulted on payments in 2022.

 

According to the most recent report from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), shipments of basmati rice increased to 21.57 lakh tonnes from 19.46 lakh tonnes a year ago. However, the value increased by 37% to $2.28 billion from $ 1.66 billion. Due to the depreciation of the rupee, the growth in Indian currency is even higher- 46%- at Rs 17,897 crore versus Rs 12,268 crore. In fact, basmati rice export realisation has risen to $1,057/tonne this fiscal year from $853/tonne the previous year.

 

'The commodity and inflation cycle has greatly benefited basmati rice export prices. Oil-producing countries are major basmati rice importers, and their economies are performing well. Until there are any unexpected geopolitical disturbances or the imposition of non-tariff barriers (NTBs),' trade policy analyst S Chandrasekaran predicted. The impact of unusual events will be mitigated if the government is prepared with appropriate plans, he said.

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday stated that with 70 per cent of agricultural practice in Nagaland still traditional and organic, the Northeast region has the potential to become an organic food basket of the country. 

 

'Nagaland has much to offer in agriculture and farm produce. Indeed, the whole of Northeast has the potential to become the organic food basket of the country. The good quality agro and horticultural produce of Nagaland has great demand in the markets. I am happy to know that Naga tree tomato, Naga cucumber, and Naga Mircha are GI tagged,' Murmu said in her speech at a civic reception function at Nagaland capital Kohima.

 

She said that the opening of the 'Naturally Nagaland' outlets by the state government has provided a new platform for local entrepreneurs, farmers, and weavers to sell traditional handicrafts and handloom items, the Naga shawl, and other varieties of organic products. 

 

Murmu is on a visit to Nagaland, Mizoram, and Sikkim. On the first day of her visit to Nagaland, the President virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projects such as schools, roads and bridges, and bank buildings.

 

Murmu stated that there is immense potential for tourism in Nagaland.

 

'With a literacy rate of over 80 per cent, the skilled young men and women of Nagaland, well-versed in the English language, are working in the IT, hospitality, and other sectors across India. Providing the youth a holistic education remains the key to helping them achieve their true potential.'

 

Praising the high literacy rate among women in Nagaland, which is higher than the national average, the President said that Nagaland is the safest place for women in the country.

 

'This demonstrates the high respect given to the women in the Naga society,' she said and urged women of Nagaland to come forward and get more involved in public life. 

 

Governor Jagdish Mukhi, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, and representatives of various tribes attended the function.