23 May, 2025 News Image India-US trade talks enter final stretch as agriculture, dairy remain key hurdles.
As Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal continues high-level talks in Washington to finalise a much-anticipated India-US trade agreement, former Indian Ambassador to the WTO, Jayant Dasgupta, has shed light on the sensitive issues holding back a breakthrough — with agriculture and dairy at the forefront.
 Source:  financialexpress.com
23 May, 2025 News Image Processed food products exports surge 15% in April.
India’s export of agricultural and processed food products have commenced on a brisk note in the current fiscal with the shipments rising by over 15% to $2.13 billion in April, 2025 on year. The rise in farm-sector shipments were driven primarily by a sharp increase in exports of rice, meat and fruits and vegetables last month.
 Source:  financialexpress.com
22 May, 2025 News Image South African citrus exports to India triple to 30,000 tons.
South African seedless citrus is making inroads into the Indian market, largely due to increasing demand for easy-peel varieties such as oranges and mandarins. Exporters and logistics providers are adopting innovative strategies to navigate regulatory and logistical challenges, ensuring the availability of citrus during India's off-season.
 Source:  freshplaza.com
22 May, 2025 News Image India and Singapore Strengthened Trade Ties with AEO Agreement.
The agreement was formalised between Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of India, and Mr. Tan Hung Hooi, Director-General of Singapore Customs. The AEO MRA aims to recognise the compatibility of both countries’ Authorised Economic Operator programmes. This arrangement is expected to facilitate faster and more secure customs procedures for certified companies, thereby promoting trusted trade and improving the efficiency of regional supply chains. It also underscores the commitment of both nations to improving cross-border trade facilitation and enhancing economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
 Source:  indiplomacy.com
22 May, 2025 News Image Tea Board looking at tea tasting certification course to skill youth: Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal.
The Tea Board of India will explore the possibility of launching certification courses in tea tasting to skill the youth and promote tea literacy and tourism in the sector, commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal said Wednesday on the International Tea Day. 'The Tea Board is trying to take steps to establish a centre for tea tasting certification courses in the country,' Barthwal said, adding that this will also contribute to promoting tea tourism.
 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
22 May, 2025 News Image European buyers insist on EUDR compliant coffee from July 1.
European buyers have started insisting that the coffee shipped by Indian exporters from July 1 to be compliant with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) norms. The buyers’ stance to import EUDR compliant coffees at least six months ahead of the enforcement of proposed EUDR norms, which are set to come into effect from Dec 30, 2025, may pose challenges to the Indian coffee shipments especially the robustas as a major section of the growers and exporters are yet to gear up to comply to the proposed norms.
 Source:  thehindubusinessline.com
22 May, 2025 News Image Trading with India will be 'quicker, cheaper, easier' post-FTA, says UK.
It will be 'quicker, cheaper and easier' for British companies to trade with India as a result of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) struck earlier this month, the UK government said on Wednesday. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the FTA as the 'best deal India has ever agreed to' as he convened a revamped advisory board for its first meeting, tasked with boosting exports to grow the UK economy.
 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
22 May, 2025 News Image India Assumes Chairmanship of Asian Productivity Organization at 67th Governing Body Meeting in Jakarta.
India has formally assumed the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025–26 term during the ongoing 67th Session of the Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of the APO, being held from 20–22 May 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Indian delegation is led by Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and APO Director for India, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, IAS.
 Source:  pib.gov.in
22 May, 2025 News Image Bears continue to dominate global rice market.
The global rice market continues to be in the grips of bears, with prices ruling almost unchanged or undergoing minor changes over the past 3-4 weeks. Industry sources say the demand has been slack in Africa and South-East Asia. Buyers and sellers are exercising caution in trade.
 Source:  thehindubusinessline.com
22 May, 2025 News Image India unveils SPICED scheme to promote sustainable, value-added spice exports.
The Spices Board has announced the launch of the 'Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED)' scheme for the financial year 2025–26. The scheme offers financial assistance across various components, aiming to enhance sustainability, foster innovation, and promote export development in the Indian spices sector. Online applications will open on May 26.
 Source:  thehindubusinessline.com