Basmati exporters forum seeks measure of reasonableness from shipping companies
The Basmati Rice Farmers and Exporters Development Forum (BFEDF) has criticised the role of shipping lines in dealing with shipments of basmati rice stranded at inland container depots (ICDs), transhipment hubs such as Jebel Ali in the UAE, and mid-sea. The situation is a fallout of the Iran war that has resulted in the Strait of Hormuz being blocked. BFEDF Chairperson Priyanka Mittal, told businessline in an interview that shipping lines have behaved hypocritically in the whole issue. Shipping lines are taking a very asymmetrical position concerning force majeure. They are saying we cant deliver the product because its force majeure we invoke it because of war she said.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
J&K fruit trade needs modernisation, direct market access: NITI Aayog report
The report called for strengthening farmer collectivisation through farmer producer organisations (FPOs), self-help groups (SHGs) and primary agricultural credit societies (PACS), in addition to investments in storage facilities and cold chain networks The marketing of fruits in Jammu and Kashmir remains largely traditional, dominated by contractors and commission agents, limiting returns for growers, according to a NITI Aayog report outlining a roadmap for horticulture development in the Union Territory by 2047.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Farmers interests protected in all FTAs, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Addressing concerns over apple imports, Chouhan said imports are regulated on Indias terms, including pricing and duties, while efforts are underway to boost domestic production. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said the interests of the farmers and the country have been kept paramount in all the free trade agreements (FTAs) between India and other nations.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri likely to visit Nepal next month: sources
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is likely to travel to Nepal next month, the first high-level visit from India after the formation of the Balendra Shah-led government in March, official sources said on Monday. The visit is expected to take place in the first half of May, the official sources at Nepal's Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, Russia-led EAEU may hold next round talks for trade pact in June
India and the Russia-led EAEU group are expected to hold next round talks for a proposed free trade agreement in June in Moscow, an official said. India and the five-nation grouping, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), on August 20 last year inked the terms of reference for the agreement. The first round of negotiations was held in November 2025 here.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India–New Zealand sign once-in-a-generation FTA
India gained duty-free entry in a free trade deal with New Zealand, signed Monday, on 100% of tariff lines, in a move set to boost exports from labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather and processed foods. New Delhi, meanwhile, opted for a calibrated liberalisation schedule cutting tariffs immediately.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India never offers any duty concessions in dairy sector under FTAs: Piyush Goyal
He said India's dairy sector is driven by very small and marginal farmers with limited landholdings who own only a few cattle. These farmers has a "very" low production and needs to be protected against large farms that Europe, America, Australia, or New Zealand have.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Leverage FTAs to widen market access: Piyush Goyal
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday met exporters and industry bodies to discuss measures to increase the country's shipments and better leverage free trade pacts.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Trade deals with US, EU soon: Piyush Goyal
Officials also said that India and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are expected to hold the next round of talks for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in June in Moscow, where New Delhi will raise issues related to non-tariff barriers in sectors such as agriculture, marine products, automotive and electronics. Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are the five member countries of the EAEU.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India's wheat production resilient despite setbacks: Agri ministry.
The agriculture ministry on Sunday asserted that India's wheat production for 2025-26 crop year remains 'stable and resilient despite localised damage' caused by unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms, even as an industry body pegged output significantly below the government's earlier forecast. The Roller Flour Millers' Federation of India (RFFI) on April 24 projected wheat output at 110.65 million tonnes for the 2025-26 crop year (July-June), marginally higher than 109.63 million tonnes produced in 2024-25, after factoring in recent weather damage.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com