India-Oman CEPA kicks in June 1: What gets cheaper, which sectors gain, and key benefits explained
The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will come into force on June 1. It grants New Delhi 100% duty-free access across 98.08% of tariff lines, covering 99.38% of export value, with the benefits available from Day 1.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India becomes world's largest rice producer
India has become the world's largest rice producer, surpassing China, agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Thursday, as the government unveiled a nationwide contingency plan ahead of the crucial kharif sowing season amid fears of a weak monsoon and increasing climate risks. Rice production is estimated at a record 154.02 mt in the 2025-26 crop year, up from 150.18 mt a year earlier, according to the third advance estimates released by the agriculture ministry.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Onion farmers seek Rs 10,000 crore revival package, stable export policy from Centre
Maharashtra onion farmers have urged the Centre to announce a special Rs 10,000 crore revival package, claiming that repeated export curbs, natural calamities and price crashes have pushed them into a severe financial crisis. Bharat Dighole, founder-president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Farmers Association, said that farmers have suffered huge losses over the years due to what he termed flawed export policies, spurious seeds, storage losses and other factors.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
'Dragon fruit imports pick up in India despite heat‑wave and logistics challenges'.
Vietnamese dragon fruit imports into India are picking up steadily, with most shipments arriving in a seasonal window from March- April through August- September rather than year‑round, says Mr. Shubham Patel of Patel Impex based in Gujarat. 'Right now, arrivals are coming in a healthy and regular flow, and not just random one‑off lots. The Jan‑May period is typically tighter, as Vietnam is in its off‑season, but the strengthened flow now reflects the start of peak harvest, with more simultaneous containers reaching Indian ports.'
Source: freshplaza.com
Tripura growers expand exotic mango production.
The Gandatwisa area in Tripura's Dhalai district in India is seeing increased investment in commercial mango production as growers shift away from traditional farming systems due to higher returns and favourable growing conditions. Growers in the Gumti region of Gandatwisa have expanded mango cultivation in recent years after identifying the area's soil and climate as suitable for both indigenous and imported mango varieties. Large areas are now planted with mango orchards ahead of the mid-June harvest period.
Source: freshplaza.com
India launches US$27.6 million Mission Queen Pineapple program.
India's Ministry for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), together with the Government of Tripura, has launched the 'Mission Queen Pineapple' program, a Rs.236 crore (US$27.6 million) initiative focused on pineapple cultivation and value chain development in Tripura. The program will run from the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 through the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2028 and is centred on the GI-tagged Queen Pineapple variety grown in the state.
Source: freshplaza.com
APEDA Holds Export Training Programme for Kashmir Fruit Growers.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with Fruit Master Agro Fresh Pvt. Ltd., organised a Farmers Capacity Development Programme in Kashmir aimed at strengthening the export potential of fresh fruits from Jammu and Kashmir and preparing growers for access to international markets. The programme witnessed participation from several Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) from across Jammu and Kashmir as well as progressive individual farmers. The initiative focused on creating awareness about export opportunities, international quality standards, sustainable cultivation practices and the challenges faced by growers in entering global markets.
Source: kashmirlife.net
India’s mango exports transition from southern to northern crop.
India's mango exports will gradually shift from southern varieties to northern producing states like Uttar Pradesh as the Alphonso crop winds down. 'Mangoes from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra have driven around USD 160 million in exports to the US, UAE, UK, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Singapore so far, but as the southern crop winds down through June, exporters will turn their attention to Uttar Pradesh, where harvesting in Amroha and Lucknow begins next week,' says Ishant Saini of Aamiya Farm Fresh, a mango exporter.
Source: freshplaza.com
Lipulekh India-Tibet border trade route set to reopen after nearly seven years.
The ancient trade route between Tibet and India through the latter’s Lipulekh in Uttarakhand state’s Pithoragarh district is set to reopen after being closed, most recently, since 2020 in the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic and then the Galwan Valley conflict. The border trade may begin in first week of June, reported bhaskarenglish.in May 28. It noted that a list of 300 traders from Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district has been sent to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Source: tibetanreview.net
12th Round Of India-Korea CEPA Upgrade Negotiations Held In New Delhi.
Pursuant to the Joint Declaration signed on 20 April 2026 by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal and Korean Trade Minister , Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources Mr. Yeo Han-koo during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to India, wherein both sides committed to accelerating the India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK CEPA) upgrade negotiations, the 12th round of IK CEPA upgrade negotiations was held in New Delhi from 25–27 May 2026.
Source: pib.gov.in