1.   

India and Pakistan must formulate joint strategy on basmati exports

Pakistan, on Wednesday, called on India to formulate a joint strategy on marketing and export of premium basmati rice to counter the non-tariff barriers imposed by other countries. “I think time has come now and we have to work collectively to formulate a new strategy for marketing the much sought-after basmati rice to other parts of the world. We need to fulfil each other's needs and then take on the other countries,” Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Chief Executive Tariq Puri said here.

2.   

Grape exports up by 20% this year

The export of table-grapes from Nashik district has increased by 20% to 18,000 tonnes this year, as compared to that of last year and it is expected to reach 24,000 tonnes by the end of April. "Around 1,500 containers (18,000 tonnes) from Nashik district have been exported so far by April 7 and it is expected to reach upto 2,000 containers by April end. In the last grape season 2011 (Jan-April), around 1,250 containers (15,000 tonnes) were exported from the district," a senior agriculture offi-cer said.

3.   

India starts exporting basmati rice to Iran directly

India has started exporting the premium aromatic rice, basmati, to Iran directly following the new payment mechanism, which allows importers from Iran to make payment in Indian rupee, an industry body said today. "We have started exporting basmati to Iran directly from April 1 this fiscal as the Iranian traders have agreed to make payments in Indian rupee," All India Rice Exporters Association President Vijay Setia told PTI.

4.   

Onion rises on quality arrivals

Onion prices have improved in the last few days on quality arrivals of the rabi crop and export demand. “Prices are now ruling above Rs 400 a quintal since the quality of rabi onion is good. Farmers, too, are restricting the release of the produce in the market,” said Mr Rupesh Jaju, Director of Nashik-based United Pacific Agro Pvt Ltd. Mr Jaju's firm exports onions. Rabi onion generally commands a higher price than the ones produced in kharif due to its longer shelf life. Onion produced in the rabi season can be stored for 5-6 months.