Canada, India officials express optimism over trade pact talks
Canadian and Indian officials have expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement during a business summit in Regina, amid renewed engagement between the two countries after trade talks stalled in 2023, according to media reports. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Canada's High Commissioner to India Chris Cooter and India's High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik, on Friday, participated in the Western Canada-India Leaders Summit in Regina, capital city of the Saskatchewan province, where they discussed bilateral ties and negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and spoke with delegations.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India-US trade negotiators to begin four-day talks on June 1
India and the United States will begin a fresh round of negotiations on Monday aimed at finalising the contours of an interim bilateral trade agreement, as both sides seek to recalibrate the proposed pact following significant changes in the US tariff regime. The four-day discussions, scheduled from June 1 to June 4 in New Delhi, will be led by US chief negotiator Brendan Lynch and India's chief negotiator Darpan Jain, additional secretary in the Department of Commerce.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India-Oman CEPA kicks in June 1: What gets cheaper, which sectors gain, and key benefits explained
The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will come into force on June 1. It grants New Delhi 100% duty-free access across 98.08% of tariff lines, covering 99.38% of export value, with the benefits available from Day 1.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India becomes world's largest rice producer
India has become the world's largest rice producer, surpassing China, agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Thursday, as the government unveiled a nationwide contingency plan ahead of the crucial kharif sowing season amid fears of a weak monsoon and increasing climate risks. Rice production is estimated at a record 154.02 mt in the 2025-26 crop year, up from 150.18 mt a year earlier, according to the third advance estimates released by the agriculture ministry.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Onion farmers seek Rs 10,000 crore revival package, stable export policy from Centre
Maharashtra onion farmers have urged the Centre to announce a special Rs 10,000 crore revival package, claiming that repeated export curbs, natural calamities and price crashes have pushed them into a severe financial crisis. Bharat Dighole, founder-president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Farmers Association, said that farmers have suffered huge losses over the years due to what he termed flawed export policies, spurious seeds, storage losses and other factors.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
'Dragon fruit imports pick up in India despite heat‑wave and logistics challenges'.
Vietnamese dragon fruit imports into India are picking up steadily, with most shipments arriving in a seasonal window from March- April through August- September rather than year‑round, says Mr. Shubham Patel of Patel Impex based in Gujarat. 'Right now, arrivals are coming in a healthy and regular flow, and not just random one‑off lots. The Jan‑May period is typically tighter, as Vietnam is in its off‑season, but the strengthened flow now reflects the start of peak harvest, with more simultaneous containers reaching Indian ports.'
Source: freshplaza.com
Tripura growers expand exotic mango production.
The Gandatwisa area in Tripura's Dhalai district in India is seeing increased investment in commercial mango production as growers shift away from traditional farming systems due to higher returns and favourable growing conditions. Growers in the Gumti region of Gandatwisa have expanded mango cultivation in recent years after identifying the area's soil and climate as suitable for both indigenous and imported mango varieties. Large areas are now planted with mango orchards ahead of the mid-June harvest period.
Source: freshplaza.com
India launches US$27.6 million Mission Queen Pineapple program.
India's Ministry for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), together with the Government of Tripura, has launched the 'Mission Queen Pineapple' program, a Rs.236 crore (US$27.6 million) initiative focused on pineapple cultivation and value chain development in Tripura. The program will run from the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 through the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2028 and is centred on the GI-tagged Queen Pineapple variety grown in the state.
Source: freshplaza.com
APEDA Holds Export Training Programme for Kashmir Fruit Growers.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with Fruit Master Agro Fresh Pvt. Ltd., organised a Farmers Capacity Development Programme in Kashmir aimed at strengthening the export potential of fresh fruits from Jammu and Kashmir and preparing growers for access to international markets. The programme witnessed participation from several Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) from across Jammu and Kashmir as well as progressive individual farmers. The initiative focused on creating awareness about export opportunities, international quality standards, sustainable cultivation practices and the challenges faced by growers in entering global markets.
Source: kashmirlife.net
India’s mango exports transition from southern to northern crop.
India's mango exports will gradually shift from southern varieties to northern producing states like Uttar Pradesh as the Alphonso crop winds down. 'Mangoes from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra have driven around USD 160 million in exports to the US, UAE, UK, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Singapore so far, but as the southern crop winds down through June, exporters will turn their attention to Uttar Pradesh, where harvesting in Amroha and Lucknow begins next week,' says Ishant Saini of Aamiya Farm Fresh, a mango exporter.
Source: freshplaza.com