'Gujarat watermelons lead India’s strong 2026 export start'.
India's watermelon exports are enjoying strong momentum right now, with Gujarat's Mahuva region taking the lead in production, alongside key districts like Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Mehsana, and Sabarkantha, says Arvind Jethva of fresh produce exporter Krupali Traders. 'The season kicked off in January from these regions, with exports going strong, especially to Middle Eastern countries where Ramadan fasting is driving added melon demand. Local markets are picking up, too, right on time for summer.'
Source: freshplaza.com
Govt of Meghalaya to host Strawberry Festival 2026 across key farming clusters.
The Department of Tourism, Meghalaya has announced the Meghalaya Strawberry Festival 2026, set to take place across three major strawberry-growing clusters — Smit, Sohliya and Tura — to celebrate the State’s expanding cultivation and strengthen direct market access for farmers during the peak harvest season. The festival will begin at Smit Village (Wah-Iing-Syiem Meadows, East Khasi Hills District). It will then move to Sohliya at the Football Ground, Umsning (Ri-Bhoi District), and conclude at Darechikgre in Tura (West Garo Hills District) from March 4–7, 2026.
Source: fnbnews.com
Food Processing to Play a Decisive Role in Realising the Vision of Viksit Bharat : Union Minister Shri Chirag Paswan.
The 'International Conference on Advanced Next Generation Vision for Emerging and Sustainable Healthy Foods (ANVESH–2026)' was inaugurated today at National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM–Kundli). The three-day international conference is witnessing participation from experts, researchers, industry representatives, exporters, entrepreneurs and policymakers from more than 25 countries.
Source: pib.gov.in
Slack demand, competition weigh on Indian onion exports.
India’s onion exports have come under further pressure this financial year, reflecting a sustained decline driven by changing global market dynamics. Shipments have slowed primarily due to reduced offtake from key buyers such as Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, as these countries increasingly rely on their own domestic production, exporters said.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
From freeze to thaw: India-Canada relations hit reset button with Carney's visit.
A diplomatic freeze that once shaped India-Canada ties now appears to be giving way to a carefully calibrated thaw, as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in India this week with Ottawa leaning into what diplomats are calling a 'major reset' — one that moves past tensions and opens the door to fresh conversations on trade, technology, energy, and education.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, Israel FTA: Next round of talks in May.
India and Israel will hold the next round of negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries in May, the commerce and industry ministry said Thursday, after the 'successful conclusion' of the first round here.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
To deliver speed to exporters customs rules must be recast: Revenue secretary Arvind Shrivastava.
Customs procedures must be reoriented to deliver speed and certainty to Indian exporters, as the country re-engages with the global markets, said revenue secretary Arvind Shrivastava. Addressing the National Symposium on Customs Reforms on Thursday, he said India stood at an important juncture in its economic journey, with expanding trade volume, deeper integration in global value chains and a rapidly growing digital commerce ecosystem.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Saudi Arabia bans poultry, egg imports from 40 countries, including India; partial curbs on 16 nations.
Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed a full ban on poultry and table egg imports from 40 countries, including India and introduced partial restrictions on specific regions in 16 others as part of precautionary measures to protect public health and ensure food safety in the domestic market. According to Gulf News, the revised import list marks one of the most extensive updates in recent years. The changes, examined by Okaz newspaper, confirm that imports from 40 countries are now completely prohibited, while additional regional restrictions have been imposed amid ongoing global disease concerns.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Commerce minister Piyush Goyal says India has concluded nine free trade agreements covering 38 nations.
India has concluded nine free trade agreements (FTAs), covering 38 nations, enabling the country's shipments to get preferential access to nearly two-thirds of global markets, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday. Addressing the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards ceremony here, Goyal said that these pacts will help Indian goods, services, agricultural and fisheries products, and labour-intensive sectors reach new markets, integrate into global value chains and enhance talent mobility.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Nepal's soyoil exports to India jump tenfold on duty free access.
Nepal's soybean oil exports to India jumped more than tenfold in 2025 to a record high, boosted by duty-free access that helped the Himalayan nation double total exports to its neighbour, industry officials told Reuters. The surge narrowed Nepal's trade deficit with India but pressured edible oil prices in border regions, making it harder for Indian refiners paying import duties to compete with cheaper supplies.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com