India's castor seed production surges 11% to 17.6 lakh tonnes for 2025-26.
Castor seed production in the country is up by 11% to 17.6 lakh tonnes for 2025–26, according to a report released by the Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) on Monday. India produces around 18 to 20 Lakh tonnes of castor seed and meets over 90% of global castor oil demand. Exports of castor oil and its derivatives are estimated at over Rs 15,000 crore, or USD 1.8 billion annually which puts India in a globally responsible position, encouraging us to continuously improve productivity, quality, value addition, and global credibility.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, US continue to work on agreement for enhanced market access: USTR.
The US and India continue to work towards an agreement that will enhance market access, reduce long-standing tariff and non-tariff barriers to American exports, even though gaps remain on sensitive issues, the United States Trade Representative said in its 2025 Annual Report Monday.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, Canada relaunch free trade talks after 2023 diplomatic chill.
India and Canada on Monday launched formal negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signalling a fresh start in trade ties after a period of strain during the previous Canadian administration led by Justin Trudeau. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the agreement in New Delhi. The documents were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Hyderabad House.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Government reviews trade risks from West Asia tensions, vows steps to keep cargo flowing.
The government on Monday held inter-ministerial deliberations with exporters and logistics players to assess the impact of escalating tensions in the West Asian region on India's trade and assured all measures to mitigate any disruptions. The US and Israel jointly launched military strikes on Iran on Saturday. Iran responded by firing drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf, and also at the global business hub of Dubai.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Iran war may help India manage sugar availability as exports will likely drop.
If the notional stock of sugar kept by mills and as informed to the government is correct, there may be trouble for India to manage supplies this year. This is because production is projected to drop from initial estimates, leaving little quantity to meet demand for the first two months of next season. However, due to the US-Israel’s joint attack against Iran and its retaliation, sugar exports to India’s main market in the Gulf may be substantially low and help improve domestic availability.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Meghalaya showcases its organic spice economy in Mumbai.
Meghalaya government organised a Meghalaya Spice Festival in Mumbai recently to showcase its organic spice economy. A 140-member delegation from Meghalaya comprising farmers, entrepreneurs, cooperative leaders and senior officials participated in this event. A media statement by the Meghalaya Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare said that the Meghalaya Spice Festival was an effort to amplify the national and global market outreach of Meghalaya’s premium organic spices, and the Inaugural edition itself, has started attracting buyers from Mumbai and beyond.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Indian buyers may find pistachios, figs and raisins pricey following Gulf crisis.
Indian consumers may have to pay more for their pistachios, raisins and figs, while walnuts will likely remain stable for another couple of months on ample stocks in view of the current Gulf crisis. 'India gets pistachios from Iran and California (US). With Iranian supplies cut off, prices have gone up by Rs. 100 a kg,' said Gunjan Jain, president, Nuts and Dried Fruits Council of India (NDFC-I).
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Terms of Reference Signed for India–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
India and Canada launched negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) today in New Delhi and decided to finalise it soon. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) were signed by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry and Mr. Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade of Canada on 2nd March 2026 and were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi & Prime Minister Mr. Mark Carney of Canada at Hyderabad House, New Delhi.
Source: pib.gov.in
Department of Commerce convenes Stakeholder Consultation to ensure trade continuity amid evolving geopolitical developments.
The Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, held a stakeholder consultation with all stakeholder ministries, key logistics and trade facilitation partners to review the emerging geo-political situation and its potential impact on India’s export-import (EXIM) cargo flows, including the export ecosystem.
Source: pib.gov.in
Chouhan unveils roadmap for major reforms at Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela.
The three-day National Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela was formally inaugurated by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI) campus in Pusa, Delhi, with a renewed focus on transforming Indian farming towards ‘Viksit Krishi (Developed Agriculture) – Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India)’.
Source: fnbnews.com