Nepal: Tomato imports from eastern border surge by 932%.
The import of tomatoes through the Mechi Customs Office in Kakarbhitta, Nepal’s eastern border, has surged by 932 percent in the first five months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. From August to December, tomatoes worth Rs 68.47 crore were imported from India. According to Ishwor Kumar Humagain, Information Officer at the customs office, a total of 2,676,520 kg of tomatoes were imported during this period, generating Rs 8.273 million in customs revenue.
Source: english.khabarhub.com
'Newer grape varieties suit India’s shifting climate far better'.
Indian grape exports are holding steady despite a 50% drop in India's major grape-growing belt of Nashik, says Aditya More of Aditya Agro & Marketing, an Indian table grape grower. 'Volumes are slightly lower than last season due to climate challenges, but demand for good-quality fruit remains strong.'
Source: freshplaza.com
Trump’s tariff warning on Iran trade raises concerns for Indian rice exporters: IREF
US President Donald Trump's announcement imposing a 25 per cent tariff on any country continuing business ties with Iran is expected to intensify uncertainty across global trade channels, with India's agri-export sector, particularly rice exports, likely to face indirect but tangible pressure. Iran remains one of the largest destinations for Indian Basmati rice, accounting for a significant share of export volumes. However, the proposed tariff, which penalises third countries for trade engagement with Iran, could complicate payment mechanisms, raise transaction risks, and dampen buyer confidence at a time when the market is already under strain.
Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com
Ministry of Agriculture Notifies Four New Potato Varieties of ICAR-CPRI for Nationwide Cultivation and Processing
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, has officially notified four new potato varieties developed by ICAR–Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, for seed production and multiplication across the country. Based on the recommendations of the Central Seed Committee, the newly released varieties Kufri Ratan, Kufri Chipbharat-1, Kufri Chipbharat-2, and Kufri Tejas have been approved for nationwide use as quality seed, opening new opportunities for enhancing potato productivity and processing efficiency.
Source: https://icar.org.in/
FAO Food Price Index dips in December despite higher world cereal quotations
The benchmark for world food commodity prices fell in December compared to the previous month, as declines in dairy product, meat and vegetable oil quotations more than offset increases in those for cereals and sugar, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), reported. For the whole of 2025, the index averaged 127.2 points, 4.3 percent higher than its average in 2024, as higher world prices for vegetable oils and dairy products outweighed declines in cereal and sugar quotations.
Source: https://www.fnbnews.com/
India shipped pomegranates worth $53 million in first 9 months of 2025-26 season
Viraj highlights how FOB prices for the Bhagwa variety have held firm in the USD 800-900 per tonne range, with larger fruit sizes seeing sharper weekly gains driven by packer and exporter demand. "Wholesale benchmarks in early 2026 show stronger year-on-year support versus 2025, particularly for export-eligible lots. Middle East buyers maintain steady off-take through established channels, favoring India's proximity over longer-haul origins, while Bangladesh benefits from fast land routes that deliver fresher fruit in 2-3 days in comparison to sea shipments to distant markets."
Source: https://www.freshplaza.com/
APEDA Inaugurates Regional Office in Raipur to Boost Agri and Processed Food Exports from Chhattisgarh
In a significant step towards positioning Chhattisgarh as a major hub for agricultural and processed food exports, the Regional Office of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was inaugurated at Raipur during the 2nd India International Rice Summit held in Chhattisgarh. The inauguration was attended by Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Medical Education, Government of Chhattisgarh, Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, along with other dignitaries. Chhattisgarh, with its rich and diverse agri-ecosystem, offers significant export potential across a wide range of products. These include premium non-basmati rice varieties and Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products such as Jeeraphool Rice and Nagri Dubraj Rice.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh met Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi today. In recent weeks, Shri Chouhan has visited various states across the country and, apart from the states, has also held wide-ranging interactions in Delhi with progressive farmers, agricultural experts, Self-Help Groups, cooperative institutions, rural industries, and senior representatives of national-level institutions related to both the ministries. The ideas and suggestions emerging from these discussions were compiled into a comprehensive set of recommendations on agriculture and rural development, which he submitted to the Finance Minister.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/
'Protectionism hurts us both': Merz pushes for deeper India-Germany security ties as trade tops $50 billion
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday warned of a “renaissance of protectionism,” saying it damages both Germany and India, and emphasised the need for closer security cooperation so India is less reliant on Russia. Merz’s remarks came during his first official visit to India, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar to further deepen bilateral ties. The visit also marked a milestone in trade, with Modi announcing that commerce between the two nations has surpassed $50 billion. Several MoUs were signed in the presence of both leaders, paving the way for cooperation across multiple sectors, including technology, defense, renewable energy, and education. Notably, India and Germany will establish an India-Germany Centre of Excellence, focusing on innovation and joint development.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
India-EU trade deal in ‘final stages’; talks with US underway, says Piyush Goyal
Negotiations on a trade agreement between India and the European Union are in the final stage, while talks are ongoing with the United States for a bilateral trade deal, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. Goyal made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the Regional MSME Conclave in Rajkot, Gujarat. The comments come days after India and the EU reported “good progress” in their trade negotiations following Goyal’s meetings with EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Brussels earlier this month. Both sides said outstanding issues had narrowed and reaffirmed their intent to conclude a fair and balanced agreement at the earliest.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/