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May 13, 2025 News Image The rising global demand for premium Basmati rice: Opportunities for Indian exporters.
Basmati rice, known for its long grains, delicate fragrance, and distinctive flavour, is experiencing a surge in global demand, especially in its premium forms. According to industry reports, the Basmati rice market size is estimated to reach $31.6 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9.1 per cent over the forecast period of 2022-2027. This growth is being fueled by increasing global interest in healthy, high-quality grains and a rising preference for traditional and specialty rice varieties in Western markets. For Indian exporters, this upward trajectory presents a golden opportunity to tap into evolving consumer preferences and reaffirm India’s position as the world’s leading supplier of basmati rice.
 Source:  thehindubusinessline.com
May 13, 2025 News Image First Round of India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement negotiation Concludes in New Delhi.
In a major step towards expanding bilateral trade and investment engagement, the first round of negotiations for the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully today in New Delhi. The negotiations were held from 5-9 May, 2025. This development builds on the shared commitment to deepen economic ties and guidance given by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi during the visit of the Right Hon’ble Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand in March 2025. The FTA was launched during the meeting between Hon’ble Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and Hon’ble Mr. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, Government of New Zealand on March 16, 2025.
 Source:  pib.gov.in
May 13, 2025 News Image Basmati price rise due to demand surge, unrelated to India-Pakistan tensions: Exporters body.
The All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) reports that recent Basmati rice price increases stem from heightened international demand, particularly from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. AIREA clarifies that these price fluctuations are unrelated to geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, with export operations proceeding smoothly. Increased demand has nudged prices upward, though they remain below previous highs.
 Source:  timesofindia.indiatimes.com
May 09, 2025 News Image Nuts and Dry Fruits Council begins importing high-yielding walnut, cashew seedlings to increase domestic output.
The Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFC-I) has begun getting high-yield walnut and cashew seedlings from other nations to grow them in the country and become self-reliant in these products’ production, council president Gunjan Jain said. 'Last year, we started these small projects of getting the plantation done in India. We got the government to agree to let us import high-quality planting material with quarantine norms, because India doesn’t have high-quality planting material. So we’re looking at increasing walnut plantations in India (along with cashew),' he told businessline in an online interaction.
 Source:  thehindubusinessline.com
May 09, 2025 News Image India's exports to US hit record high in March amid 90-day tariff pause.
India’s exports to the United States surged to a record $11.2 billion in March, crossing the $10 billion mark for the first time and marking a nearly 50 per cent increase over the 12-month average. The rise pushed total bilateral goods trade to an unprecedented $15 billion for the month, data from the United States Census Bureau showed.
 Source:  business-standard.com
May 09, 2025 News Image GI tag for Mahabubnagar’s Balanagar custard apple sought.
A process to seek Geographical Indication (GI) for the world-famous Balanagar custard apples variety in Mahabubnagar district is on. Towards this, a team of experts visited the fields in Pomal, Kollur, Kesharavalpalli Kothapalli villages of Nawabpeta mandal in Mahabubnagar district where they examined Balanagar custard apples. Later, they examined the Balanagar custard apple varieties growing naturally in the forest areas adjacent to Kothapalli and Kalman Kalva villages in Chaudapur mandal of Vikarabad district and learned about their characteristics. The team also studied the custard apple processing plant being run by the farmers producer company in Pomal village.
 Source:  telanganatoday.com
May 09, 2025 News Image Cheaper chocolates, cosmetics, soft drinks from UK no threat to India’s local industry.
India’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK will allow imports of cosmetics, soft drinks and chocolates at concessional duties but officials ruled out any surge in their shipments that could impact domestic industry. However, Scotch whisky imports are expected to grow as India has halved the tariffs to 75% immediately and 40% after ten years of the agreement.
 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
May 09, 2025 News Image Govt sets record 169 million tonnes foodgrain production target for kharif 2025.
The government has set foodgrain production target of 168.88 million tonnes (mt) for the kharif 2025 cropping season. This is up 1.5 per cent from the corresponding previous season’s output. Setting a higher production target, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday announced a fortnight long 'Vikshit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (developed agriculture resolve campaign) to commence from May 29, which aims to cover about 2 crore farmers and help them improve their linkage with agriculture research.
 Source:  thehindubusinessline.com
May 09, 2025 News Image FSSAI proposes stricter rules for dairy analogues to protect consumer transparency.
This move follows media reports alleging that dairy analogues – which include plant-based or synthetic alternatives that mimic dairy products – are being sold as dairy products in India. 'Several media reports have been surfaced wherein it is claimed that products like ‘analogue in dairy context’ are being sold as ‘dairy products’, thus misleading consumers,' said Rakesh Kumar, FSSAI Director of the Regulatory Compliance Division.
 Source:  foodnavigator-asia.com
May 09, 2025 News Image Agriculture exports showing strong growth, up 30% on a 3-month average (YoY): Report.
India's agriculture exports are showing strong growth, increasing by 30 per cent year-on-year on a 3-month moving average (3mma) basis in volume terms, according to a report by SBI Mutual Funds. The report data tracks the yearly growth rate in agricultural exports since April 2019. Over the past few months, the export volume has picked up pace sharply.
 Source:  tribuneindia.com