Mozambique centralizes rice and wheat imports to curb under-invoicing.
The Mozambican government has granted the Mozambique Grain Institute (ICM) a mandate to manage imports of rice and wheat in an effort to combat under-invoicing and tax losses. According to authorities, such practices cost the state around €85.2 million annually, ICM Director Luís Jobe Fazenda said.
Source: ukragroconsult.com
Bangladesh: Govt issues fresh permits to import 2 lakh tonnes of rice.
The food ministry has issued fresh permits allowing private traders to import 2 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice, amid comfortable public food stocks, an above average Aman harvest forecast and no sharp spike in the food staple prices. Besides, around 6 lakh tonnes of rice approved earlier in the current fiscal year has already entered the country.
Source: thedailystar.net
Indian millers welcome Bangladesh’s fresh 2 lakh tonne rice import move.
Indian rice exporters and millers have welcomed Bangladesh’s decision to allow private sector imports of 2 lakh metric tonnes of parboiled rice by March 10, 2026, describing it as a boost for trade and a chance to expand exports from eastern and southern India. The move comes amid rising domestic prices in Bangladesh, particularly for steam rice, and follows flood-related losses that affected local production. The fresh import allocation is in addition to Bangladesh’s earlier plan to import around 9 lakh tonnes of rice in the 2025-26 fiscal year to rebuild stocks and stabilise domestic prices.
Source: tmv.in
India's sugar output jumps 22% to 15.9 million tonnes by mid January: ISMA.
India's sugar production rose 22 per cent to 15.9 million tonnes by January 15 in the 2025-26 season from a year earlier, supported by higher cane supplies and better yields, industry body ISMA said on Tuesday. Output stood at 13 million tonnes in the same period last year, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said in a statement.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Rabi sowing gains momentum, crop coverage up by over 20 lakh hectares.
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released the latest data on Rabi crop sowing progress for the 2025-26 season, showing strong growth compared to the same period last year. As of 16 January 2026, the total area under Rabi crop coverage has reached 652.33 lakh hectares, marking an increase of 20.88 lakh hectares over the previous year.
Source: fnbnews.com
MoFPI Chintan Shivir Charts Strategic Roadmap for a Competitive, Inclusive and Globally Integrated Food Processing Sector.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, organised a two-day Chintan Shivir at Udaipur, Rajasthan, under the chairmanship of the Minister for Food Processing Industries. The Shivir brought together senior representatives from 22 Central Ministries, 27 State Governments and Union Territories, over 30 industry members, academic institutions, NIFTEMs and Invest India, reflecting a whole-of-government and whole-of-industry approach to deliberating on strengthening India’s food processing ecosystem through policy reforms, innovation, value-chain integration and collaborative action.
Source: pib.gov.in
APEDA Organizes Organic Conclave-cum-Buyer Seller Meet to Strengthen Agri-Exports from Assam.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, organised an Organic Conclave-cum-Buyer Seller Meet at Guwahati, in collaboration with the Government of Assam. The event was aimed at strengthening agri-export linkages and improving market access for Assam’s agricultural and processed food products.
Source: pib.gov.in
US Senator Daines visits India to advocate for Montana pulse farmers.
US Senator Steve Daines said his visit to India was to advocate for Montana’s pulse farmers, who faced high duties in India, and that he would continue to work with US President Donald Trump to push the matter. Daines, who represents the US State of Montana, and Kevin Cramer, US Senator from North Dakota, recently wrote to Trump asking him to push for 'favorable pulse crop provisions' in any agreement the United States signs with India.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
'Mother of all trade deals' with India coming soon: EU’s Ursula von der Leyen at WEF.
India and the European Union are closing in on a long-pending free trade agreement as negotiations enter a decisive phase. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it the 'mother of all deals,' ahead of high-level visits, Republic Day participation and the India-EU Summit.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India FTA to create market of 2 billion people: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.
The European Union is close to finalising a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, although some steps are still pending to complete the deal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. 'There is still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the 'mother of all deals', one that would create a market of two billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP,' she said, addressing a gathering at the World Economic Forum (WEF) here.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com