The green strategic partnership: India and Norway chart a sustainable future.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway on May 18–19, 2026 — the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over four decades — marks a significant turning point in bilateral ties. The visit elevated relations into a Green Strategic Partnership, signalling a convergence between India’s scale, talent, and expanding market and Norway’s world-class capabilities in high-tech areas.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Mixed trend in mandi prices of Rabi crops.
The average mandi (agriculture market yard) prices of two of main five Rabi crops – wheat, chana (gram), mustard, masur (lentil) and barley -- during the current main harvesting season that started in April and will continue until end of June, were ruling 4-5 per cent below their respective minimum support prices (MSPs) while three other crops reported up to 14 per cent higher than the benchmark government-set rates.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
India’s coffee output for 2026-27 may dip 4% on weather concerns.
India’s coffee output for the 2026-27 crop year starting October is likely to see a decline of about 4 per cent at around 6.14 million bags of 60 kg each or 3.68 lakh tonnes on drop in yields due to unfavourable weather, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s local office in Mumbai. FAS Mumbai in a recent report said the projected output of 6.14 million bags comprising 1.56 million bags of Arabica (93,600 tonne) and 4.58 million bags of Robusta (2.74 lakh tonne). For 2025-26, the USDA Post has maintained the production at around 6.4 million bags or 3.84 lakh tonnes, comprising of 1.73 million bags of Arabica and 4.7 million bags of Robusta.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
India’s official wheat procurement near target, up 13% from a year ago.
The Indian government’s wheat procurement in the ongoing season has reached 33.39 million tonnes (mt) as on May 21. This is about 1 million tonnes less than the target, up by 13 per cent from 29.64 mt in the corresponding period last year. Last year, the government procured 30 mt of wheat, but with a higher production of 120.21 mt, the target for this year's purchase has been fixed at 34.5 mt.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
IIRR’s direct seeded rice initiative increases yields by 8-13%.
A Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) initiative by the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), an Indian Council of Agricultural Research agency, in partnership with the SBI Foundation, has shown that rice yields can rise 8-13 per cent over conventional transplanted cultivation across seasons. The project also demonstrated a 21-23 per cent reduction in cultivation costs per acre, leading to higher net returns for farmers.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
PM Modi’s mantra of ‘Reform, Perform, Transform and Inform’ will bring happiness and prosperity to the lives of farmers- Union Agriculture Minister.
A day after Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi issued key governance directives during the Union Council of Ministers meeting today evening, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday convened a high-level review meeting with senior officials of both his ministries and delivered a clear message that governance must be visible in people’s lives, not confined to files.
Source: pib.gov.in
India and Ethiopia Sign Bilateral Accession Protocol for Ethiopia’s WTO Membership in Geneva.
India and Ethiopia signed the bilateral accession protocol in the context of Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 22 May 2026 in Geneva, where the signing ceremony took place. The protocol was signed by Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of India to the WTO, Dr. Senthil Pandian C., on behalf of India, and Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Tsegab Kebebew Daka, on behalf of Ethiopia. Following the signing, the Protocol and its annexes were formally handed over and deposited with the WTO Secretariat.
Source: pib.gov.in
APEDA invites feedback on procedures to regulate import of NOP certified ingredients.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has invited public feedback on proposed draft procedures to regulate the import of USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certified ingredients. The new guidelines target organic goods brought into India for processing and value addition that are strictly destined for re-export to the United States.
Source: fnbnews.com
Frozen bakery market size to reach $109.7 bn by 2035.
Worldwide frozen bakery market was valued USD 55 billion in 2025 and will surpass a revenue collection of USD 109.7 billion by 2035 with an annual growth rate of 7.2% over 2026 to 2035, according to Global Market Insights, Inc. The market is undergoing a notable evolution as traditional baking practices are increasingly combined with modern food processing technologies. What was once considered a purely convenience-oriented category is now becoming an essential component of foodservice operations, retail distribution, and institutional supply systems. Industry participants are increasingly prioritising automation and advanced production technologies to improve operational efficiency and manage workforce challenges. Sustainability considerations are also gaining importance, prompting companies to focus on waste reduction, energy optimisation, and improved packaging strategies that align with environmental expectations.
Source: fnbnews.com
India is a ‘country of countries’ – NZ business needs a regional strategy to make the trade deal work.
The recently signed free trade agreement between New Zealand and India has so far been discussed and debated in very broad terms: the size of the Indian market, opportunities for exporters, implications for immigration. Much of this is understandable. Preferential access to a market larger than the European Union and ASEAN countries combined, with purchasing power forecast to grow exponentially by 2050, is indeed an opportunity.
Source: theconversation.com