India invokes WTO peace clause for FY25 rice subsidies for farmers.
India has invoked the peace clause for the seventh time for exceeding the 10% ceiling on subsidies offered to rice farmers under the World Trade Organisation rules. The country informed the WTO on Wednesday that it gave subsidies worth $7.6 billion to rice farmers in 2024-25, which was about 11.85% of the value of production at $64.13 billion.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India's first Banana Field Gene Bank launched in Tiruchy, farmers to get up to Rs 15 lakh for conservation
In an effort to support the banana genetic conservation and prevent the loss of valuable genetic resources, the National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchy, launched the 'Banana Field Gene Bank' project on Monday. Farmers who grow rare banana varieties can register with the NRCB, where scientists will preserve and develop it for multiplication. 'This is the first field gene bank for banana in the country,' said Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, chairman of the protection of plant varieties and farmers’ rights authority (PPV&FRA) and farmers welfare, Government of India, after launching the project.
Source: newindianexpress.com
India expands digital mandis for Himachal apple sector
More than 500 stakeholders, including growers, market participants, and scientists, attended the 7th Annual Apple Conclave in Theog, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry. Discussions focused on climate variability, declining productivity, and technology gaps in Himachal Pradesh's apple sector, valued at Rs.6,000 crore (US$720 million). Adani Agri Fresh announced plans to expand its digital mandi model following a pilot that traded nearly 1,000 tons last year. The system will be introduced across its controlled atmosphere storage facilities in Rampur, Rohru, and Sainj.
Source: freshplaza.com
APEDA alerts exporters to Philippines’ strict entry protocols
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has underscored the continued enforcement of a highly structured and tightly regulated certification framework governing agricultural imports into the Philippines, reinforcing the importance of strict compliance for exporters targeting the market. The Philippine Department of Agriculture mandates that a wide range of agricultural imports—including meat, poultry, dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, live animals, animal feed, and animal by-products—be accompanied by validated export certificates issued by competent authorities in the country of origin. These certifications are critical to ensuring compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards designed to safeguard plant and animal health, prevent the entry of pests and diseases, and protect consumer safety.
Source: agrospectrumindia.com
APEDA to set up basmati, organic training centre in Pilibhit.
The transfer of 7 acres of land to the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) at govt agriculture farm in Tanda Bijesi village has cleared the way for a basmati and organic training centre and demonstration farm in the district. The project, estimated around Rs 15 crore, aims to train farmers in premium basmati cultivation, seed production, exports and organic farming. Construction, to be carried out by the Public Works Department, is expected to be completed within a year.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Citrus exports to India surge
South African citrus exports to India continue to show strong growth, rising nearly 85% in 2025 as the industry steps up efforts to expand its footprint in one of Asia’s most promising markets. Southern African Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) chief executive, Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, writing his latest weekly newsletter from India, said a business delegation visited New Delhi as part of FruitSA's annual market access mission last week.
Source: freightnews.co.za
SCI may run vessels to West Asia to help exporters
Govt has indicated to exporters that Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) may run container ships to West Asia to help them tide over the problem of high freight costs. Responding to complaints over high input and freight costs, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal is said to have conveyed SCI's plan during a meeting with export promotion councils on Monday evening, an industry representative present in the meeting told TOI.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal Chairs Meeting with Export Promotion Councils and Industry to Strengthen Export Ecosystem Post India–New Zealand FTA Signing
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, chaired a meeting with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and industry associations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 27th April 2026, to deliberate on strategies for strengthening India's export ecosystem in the context of evolving global trade dynamics. The meeting was held in continuation of the India–New Zealand FTA signing ceremony in Bharat Mandapam and was attended by representatives of 30 EPCs and apex industry chambers, along with senior officials from the Department of Commerce and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Addressing the gathering, Shri Goyal highlighted that India's total merchandise and services exports reached a record USD 860.09 billion in FY 2025–26, registering a 4.22% year-on-year growth. He noted that sectors such as engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gems & jewellery and agri-based products have sustained export momentum despite global disruptions.
Source: pib.gov.in
Centre for Trade and Investment Law and South Asia International Economic Law Network Organise Virtual Trade Talk on Future of Multilateral Trade Governance and Role of World Trade Organization
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, in partnership with the South Asia International Economic Law Network (SAIELN), organised a Virtual Trade Talk on 'The Future of Multilateral Trade Governance and the Role of the WTO' on 27 April 2026. The Trade Talk featured Shri Amitabh Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, as the Guest of Honour and Prof. Mark Wu, Henry L. Stimson Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, as the Keynote Speaker. The discussion focused on the evolving role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in governing multilateral trade, particularly in light of emerging geopolitical, technological, and economic challenges. The discussion examined the WTO's core functions-monitoring, negotiation and dispute settlement—and assessed their effectiveness in addressing current trade dynamics.
Source: pib.gov.in
Indonesia introduces new quota system for peanut imports
Aimed at encouraging domestic production, the new regulation with tight quality norms is likely to affect Indian exports Indonesia has come up with a quota system for peanut (groundnut) imports that could impact Indian exports as it has tightened quality norms. Jakarta came up with a Ministerial Regulation during the weekend, which permits loading of non-quota peanuts until May 7.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com