APEDA Facilitates First-Ever Export of 20 Metric Tons of ODOP Honey from Assam’s Aspirational District Baksa to USA.
In a major boost to the diversification of India’s agricultural exports and furthering the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, the first-ever export consignment of ODOP honey from Baksa, an Aspirational District in Assam, to the USA was flagged off on 09 May 2026 through the initiative of APEDA. The consignment, comprising 20 Metric Tons of honey, was exported by APEDA-registered exporter from the North Eastern Region, M/s Salt Range Foods Pvt. Ltd., Assam.
Source: pib.gov.in
Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agarwal Visits Switzerland to Advance India–EFTA TEPA Implementation and Boost Trade & Investment Cooperation.
Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agarwal undertook an official visit to Switzerland from 06–07 May 2026 to advance the implementation of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) and strengthen India–Switzerland trade and investment engagement. The visit focused on translating TEPA’s market-access outcomes into concrete business partnerships, investment commitments and greater industry utilization. The visit built upon the high-level engagement held in February 2026, when Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal met H.E. Mr. Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, in New Delhi and reviewed the roadmap for taking the agreement from policy framework to commercial delivery.
Source: pib.gov.in
India–Canada Joint Statement on the Conclusion of the Second Round of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Negotiations.
India and Canada successfully concluded the second round of negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), held from 4–8 May 2026 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, and hosted by the Department of Commerce, Government of India. The discussions were held in accordance with the Terms of Reference signed by the Trade Ministers of both countries on 2 March 2026. The negotiations witnessed constructive and productive engagement between the two sides. India and Canada reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties.
Source: pib.gov.in
India set to bolster trade and strategic ties with Africa at 4th summit meet.
India hopes to intensify its trade and investment ties with Africa and focus on cooperation across sectors including agriculture, defence, education, green energy, health and digital partnership at the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi this month-end. 'India has been consistently among Africa’s top five trade and investment partners. The thrust of the summit will be on how to strengthen trade and investment ties further,' an official tracking the matter said.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
India negotiates EU market access for seafood exports: Piyush Goyal.
India actively negotiated with the European Union to open its market for seafood exports, helping the country overcome challenges arising from steep US tariffs, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said Sunday. Addressing reporters here, he said the government anticipated disruptions and acted swiftly to secure alternative markets for Indian exporters.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Piyush Goyal leads meetings to enhance India’s role in global agriculture and boost exports.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal chaired meetings on January 31, 2026, focused on initiatives to improve farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen India’s position in the global agriculture sector, and expand agricultural cooperation with African nations. In a post on X, Goyal stated that during discussions with Dr MJ Khan, Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Food & Agriculture, they addressed measures to enhance farmers’ welfare, increase India’s global agricultural presence, and identify new avenues for long-term food security and collaboration.
Source: thenewsmill.com
APEDA relaxes Organic Import Norms for select USDA-NOP certified ingredients meant for re-export to US.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has introduced a limited derogation framework under India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), allowing select USDA-NOP-certified imported organic ingredients to be used for value addition and re-export to the United States under tightly controlled conditions. The move comes as part of a partial modification to APEDA’s earlier advisories issued in 2014 and February 2025, which had permitted the use of imported USDA-NOP-certified organic ingredients only for manufacturing multi-ingredient products for re-export to the US.
Source: agrospectrumindia.com
India’s fresh green chilli season kicks off with G4 Gauri heading to the Gulf.
India's fresh green chilli export season kicks off this month, with the first shipments of G4 Gauri variety expected from Maharashtra's Aurangabad and Gujarat's Jafrabad belts, says Prasad Chavan of exporter Acres EXIM. 'From May onward, that's where most of the export‑bound G4 volumes will be coming from. The crop is moving mainly to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, with a separate, larger‑volume channel feeding Bangladesh once its government opens imports around June–July.
Source: hortidaily.com
India prepares digitised apple procurement system for new season.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) to complete preparations for apple procurement under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) ahead of the upcoming season. During a review meeting of HPMC schemes, Sukhu said the state government remained focused on protecting the interests of apple growers, particularly small and marginal farmers. He instructed officials to notify procurement centres in advance and ensure all arrangements are completed before procurement begins.
Source: freshplaza.com
Indian wheat purchase gathers pace as M.P. mops up 2.5 million tonnes.
The Indian government’s wheat procurement jumped 51 per cent in the past week to 44.14 lakh tonnes (lt) from 29.22 lt purchased in the corresponding period last year, helping the government to narrow the deficit gap. This was possible due to half of the quantity (out of 52 lt total grain purchased in the State so far) procured during May 1-7 in Madhya Pradesh. This has created hope for the Union government to achieve the target of 345 lt in 2026-27 season even as overall purchase still trails.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com