Basmati exporters urge govt to suspend Rs.83/tonne levy amid delayed payment, shrinking margin.
Basmati exporters have urged Apeda to immediately suspend or withdraw the levy of Rs. 70 per tonne plus GST being charged on contract registration and collected for the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) as the industry is passing through an exceptionally difficult period after US-Iran war. Pointing out that exporters are already under severe financial and operational stress due to war-related disruptions, delayed realisations, higher freight, higher insurance, blocked funds, and shrinking margins, it said annual collection itself would be extraordinarily high.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
China resumes buying broken rice from India.
China has resumed buying broken rice from India despite rejecting several shipments, citing the alleged presence of genetically modified organisms. However, shipment costs have surged after prices of bunker fuel, used to power ships, surged by 50 per cent due to the Iran war.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Indian envoy to US meets US Trade Representative amid talks on finalising trade deal.
Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and former National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien here. The meeting on Wednesday comes as India and the US are negotiating the finer elements of a bilateral trade agreement (BTA).
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India achieves record exports of USD 860 billion in 2025-26: Piyush Goyal.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said India has achieved a record in exports of goods and services, with total shipments crossing USD 860 billion in 2025- 26. Total merchandise and services exports were worth USD 825 billion in 2024-25.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India-UK trade agreement may come into force next month: Commerce Secy.
India and the UK Free Trade agreement (FTA), signed in July last year, is likely to come into force from May, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Wednesday. India and the UK signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), under which 99 per cent of Indian exports will enter the British market at zero duty, while tariffs on British products, such as cars and whisky, will be reduced in India.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India’s sugar output rises 8% to 27.39 mt as of April 15 in current season.
India’s sugar production has reached 27.39 million tonnes (mt) so far in the 2025-26 season from 25.43 mt in the year-ago period, up by 8 per cent mainly on higher output in Maharashtra and Karnataka, according to cooperative industry body NFCSF. The sugar output was 26.2 mt in the entire 2024-25 season (October-September).
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
India aims for cocoa self-sufficiency by 2040 under new roadmap.
A knowledge paper on the cocoa sector, developed by Grant Thornton Bharat in collaboration with FICCI and released at the Cocoa Roundtable, has outlined a long-term vision to transform India into a self-sufficient, globally competitive cocoa economy by 2040-41. The 2026-2040 roadmap towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in cocoa has recommended the establishment of a ‘National Mission on Cocoa’ and the need for research and development (R&D) and innovation in the sector. It also suggested policy and financial support measures, as well as trade and market reforms, in addition to digital transformation in the sector.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Madhya Pradesh CM says basmati rice from the State is exported to 47 nations.
At a recent gather of thousands of farmers at Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, State Chief Minister Mohan Yadav proudly said that the district exported Basmati rice to 47 countries. This is despite the State not being recognised as Basmati growing State under the Geographical Indications (GI) definition. Even as the matter is yet to be settled legally, Yadav’s mention of export happening from Raisen may weaken India’s case globally as no major importing country is yet to recognise its Basmati GI despite APEDA spending huge sum in past many years.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Ministry of Commerce Launches New Integrated Website for Department of Commerce.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched today, i.e., 15th April 2026, a modern, accessible, and integrated website for the Department of Commerce (DoC), fully compliant with the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) 3.0 and the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW). The new platform is designed to enhance service delivery for exporters, importers, and other stakeholders by providing seamless access to trade-related information and resources.
Source: pib.gov.in
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to visit India next week to boost trade and shipbuilding ties.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to visit India next week, with the main day of engagements on 20 April, in a trip expected to deepen the two countries' Special Strategic Partnership through fresh commitments on trade, investment and shipbuilding. The visit comes amid growing momentum in bilateral ties. Bilateral trade between India and South Korea stood at $21.5 billion from January to October 2025, with South Korea ranking among India's top foreign investors. Major Korean firms such as Samsung, Hyundai and POSCO have significant operations in India, particularly in automobiles, electronics and manufacturing. A CEOs' roundtable during the visit is likely to explore new business opportunities.
Source: wionews.com