Indian govt prepares market intelligence studies to boost coffee export.
Indian coffee industry is poised for a major international boost, with the ministry of external affairs focusing on value-added products and driving record exports to Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, North America, North Africa, Russia, and China. The Union govt, following the request from Indian Coffee Board, led by chairman MJ Dinesh, is preparing market intelligence studies for coffee promotion, and the study report would be out by Feb or March 2026.According to PS Gangadhar, the ministry's joint secretary, it commissioned 6 market studies or intelligence reports through Indian Missions and Posts in key coffee markets spread across regions.Studies are expected to be completed by Feb 2026, and it would be shared with the coffee board for the benefit of the board and other stakeholders in the Indian coffee industry.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
From Jan, FSSAI to ascertain claims by cos based on scientific evidence.
The national food regulator, FSSAI, has decided to ascertain the claims made by the food businesses with respect to safety of a food product as per Indian food habits and based on scientific evidence. This move will not affect the existing food products already given licences but is for the review request made by any manufacturer with respect to any existing product or a new product introduction.
Source: fnbnews.com
USDA details $12 billion farm aid package favouring rice, cotton; soy farmers warn of strain.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released details on Wednesday about how much row crop farmers will receive next year from a $12 billion aid program, but soybean growers say such payments fall short of helping those hurt by low crop prices and trade disputes. The Farmer Bridge Assistance program is expected to distribute $11 billion in one-time payments to farmers, who will be paid on a per-acre rate if they planted one of the 19 commodity crops identified as being eligible for the program, USDA said in a statement on Wednesday.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Strong Russian buying lifts Indian coffee exports to record over $2 billion.
India’s coffee exports for calendar year 2025 have crossed record $2 billion mark, registering a 22 per cent growth over the previous year on high prices and strong buying from the Russian Federation. Per the Coffee Board’s latest data, shipments, based on the permits issued, touched $2.058 billion during 2025 over previous year’s $1.679 billion. Overall volumes saw a decline around 4.5 per cent at 3.48 lakh tonnes (lt) over previous year’s 4.02 lt, despite an increase in shipments of Arabicas and instant coffees.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Rice procurement up 7% in Oct-Dec as 72% of kharif target is completed.
India’s rice procurement is up 7 per cent in the first three months of the current kharif marketing season with 72 per cent of the target being met till now. However, the official purchase in three major contributing states Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Odisha has dropped. But there has been an unexpected rise in procurement of the cereal in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, besides a substantial jump in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This has helped the Centre to procure more rice.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
India, Israel teams may meet next month on proposed trade pact: Official.
India and Israeli teams are expected to meet next month on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), an official said on Wednesday. In November, the two countries inked terms of reference to formally start negotiations for the agreement, which aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investments.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India's exports may reach $950 billion in FY27 on West Asia trade pacts.
India's goods and services exports could reach $840-850 billion in FY26 and rise to about $950 billion in 2026-27, driven by free trade agreements particularly with West Asian countries and strength in services and technology-led sectors such as electronics, exporters said. Rising tariff barriers and climate-linked trade restrictions, however, are expected to pose significant challenges to sustaining export growth, they added.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
150 Northeast products identified for GI tagging over next two years.
At least 150 unique products from the North Eastern region have been identified for Geographical Indication (GI) tagging over the next two years, the government said on Monday, in a move aimed at protecting and promoting the region’s indigenous heritage and traditional industries. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) is leading efforts to secure GI tags for distinctive agri-horticultural produce, handloom and handicraft items from across the region.
Source: nenews.in
State agri dept provides land to APEDA to set up Basmati facility.
The state agriculture department in UP extended a final nod for the allotment of 7 acres of land out of the 66.7-acre area of Pilibhit’s Tanda Bijesi village-based govt agriculture farm to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to set up a basmati seed processing facility-cum-training centre and demonstration farm.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India Fast-Tracks FTA Talks with Russia-led EAEU and Israel to Counter High US Tariffs.
India is expected to expedite its negotiations on the free trade agreement or FTA with key nations like Russia and Israel soon, starting from January in the new year. The move of the government aims at diversifying its export markets due to high tariffs imposed by the United States.
Source: deccanchronicle.com