eznews.inJanuary 2026 has been recorded as the fifth warmest January globally, with average temperatures 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels, according to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts’ Copernicus Climate Change Service. Despite experiencing severe cold waves in the Northern Hemisphere, which led to Europe’s coldest January since 2010 at -2.34°C, much of the world, including the Arctic and western North America, saw above-average temperatures. Concurrently, the Southern Hemisphere faced extreme heat, resulting in devastating wildfires in Australia, Chile, and Patagonia, while heavy rains caused severe flooding in Mozambique. The average sea surface temperature for January was 20.68°C, the fourth highest on record, with notable warmth in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Samantha Burgess from ECMWF emphasized the need for resilience and adaptation to cope with increasing climate extremes, highlighting the stark contrasts in weather patterns across the globe. 
Published: Feb 10 2026, 8 ameznews.inUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined the key priorities of the Union Budget 2026-27 during a meeting with the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in New Delhi. Emphasizing policy stability, manufacturing growth, and long-term investment, she highlighted the government's commitment to creating a predictable environment for businesses. Sitharaman noted significant reforms aimed at bolstering sectors such as semiconductors, biopharma, and rare earth manufacturing, while also focusing on enhancing the capabilities of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The minister's address underscored the government's strategy to foster strong manufacturing champions to drive innovation and employment. Participants at the meeting praised the government's fiscal discipline amid global uncertainties, recognizing that clear policies and fiscal prudence are essential for reinforcing investor confidence and deepening economic ties between India and the United States.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 9 ameznews.inRecent earnings calls from major FMCG players, including Marico, Tata Consumer Products, and Godrej Consumer Products, indicate a significant shift in consumer demand towards affordability, despite ongoing discussions around premium products. While premiumisation remains a long-term strategy for margin enhancement, companies are increasingly focusing on entry-level packs and price promotions to drive volume growth. Marico emphasized the importance of maintaining affordable price points, while Tata Consumer highlighted that its growth has been volume-driven rather than price-led. Godrej reported a 7% increase in underlying volume, attributing this to improved affordability rather than premium upgrades. Analysts suggest that the current market environment limits the effectiveness of premiumisation, with a growing emphasis on smaller, more affordable packs. Experts argue that FMCG companies must cater to a broader market to sustain growth, as consumer spending shifts towards experiences rather than higher-priced products.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 11 pmeznews.inPrivate equity firms are intensifying their investments in India's food and beverage sector, driven by evolving consumer habits, rapid scalability through quick commerce, and increased discretionary spending among younger generations. Recent high-profile deals, such as Temasek's investment in Haldiram Snacks, which valued the company at $10 billion, and ChrysCapital's acquisition of Theobroma Foods, underscore this trend. Investors highlight that structural changes in distribution have made the sector more appealing, with brands now able to launch and scale quickly. The shift in consumer behavior, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize premium and convenient food options, is also pivotal. As platforms like Swiggy and Zomato become integral to dining habits, private equity is poised to focus on scalable, branded platforms with strong unit economics, marking a significant phase of growth and consolidation in India's F&B landscape.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 11 pmeznews.inIndia's soybean oil imports surged to 505,000 tonnes in December, up from 371,000 tonnes a year earlier, according to the Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA). This increase comes amid a broader optimism in the agricultural sector following the recent India-US trade deal, which has granted duty-free access to Indian coffee and zero-duty access for tea, potentially boosting exports. However, concerns persist among apple growers about the impact of a proposed 100,000-tonne apple import quota from the US at a 25% tariff. Additionally, the import of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) may pressure domestic corn and soybean prices, although traders believe the impact will be limited. While seafood and spices exporters anticipate growth, they seek to eliminate non-tariff barriers. Overall, the trade deal presents both opportunities and challenges for various sectors within India's agricultural landscape.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 10 pmeznews.inIndia's exporters are optimistic following a new framework agreement with the US, which has led to a significant reduction in tariffs on labour-intensive sectors from 50% to 25%, with expectations of a further drop to 18%. This shift provides Indian exporters, particularly in textiles, gems, jewellery, and leather goods, a competitive edge over countries like China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. Sanjay Jain, a textile exporter, highlighted that the new tariff levels are crucial in an industry with tight margins. The gems and jewellery sector, heavily reliant on the US market, anticipates a surge in demand as tariffs on diamonds are set to drop to zero. Leather goods exporters, previously forced to offer steep discounts, can now restore pricing and margins. The engineering sector, which faced reciprocal tariffs, is also relieved, as the new rates allow for improved profitability. Overall, the agreement signals a potential recovery for various export sectors.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 10 pmeznews.inIndiGo is set to fully re-implement the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms starting February 10, which includes stricter regulations on night operations, such as limiting night landings to four and defining night duty hours from midnight to 6 am. Despite industry concerns about potential disruptions, government officials have assured that the aviation regulator is closely monitoring IndiGo's operational readiness, with measures in place to ensure a smooth transition. The airline plans to hire around 50 pilots monthly and has updated its rostering software to align with the new requirements. To maintain schedule reliability, IndiGo has capped its domestic operations at approximately 1,850 flights per day until March 31. Following previous disruptions that led to over 2,500 flight cancellations in December 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) continues to oversee the airline's compliance and operational stability.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's recent decision to permit imports of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) as part of the India-US trade deal is expected to influence the prices of key agricultural commodities, including maize, soybean, and rapeseed meal. DDGS, a by-product of ethanol production from maize and rice, serves as a near substitute for soybean meal, a staple in poultry feed. While the market is currently oversupplied with corn-based DDGS, experts suggest that imports should be limited to 1-2 lakh tonnes to avoid significant price impacts. Following the announcement, prices for soybean and rapeseed have already begun to decline, with soybean prices dropping to ₹5,488 per quintal. Despite the potential for lower prices, traders believe that the current market conditions will not threaten Indian soymeal or domestically-produced DDGS, as the latter has limited use in dairy feed formulations.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe India International Coffee Festival (IICF) 2026 is set to take place in Bengaluru from February 12, bringing together the entire Indian coffee ecosystem, including growers, processors, exporters, and consumers. Organised by the Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI) with support from the Coffee Board of India and Nestle India, the three-day event is expected to attract around 100 enterprises and over 20,000 visitors. The festival will focus on collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation, reflecting a shift in the Indian coffee sector towards quality-led growth. Hamsini Appadurai, President of SCAI, noted that the festival will feature curated tastings, workshops, and cupping sessions, aimed at enhancing appreciation for quality and traceability. Kurma Rao M, CEO of the Coffee Board, emphasized the importance of such platforms in connecting producers with markets and supporting the long-term growth of both domestic consumption and exports.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has accepted a ₹9,500 crore offer from Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (InvIT) for the monetisation of five national highway sections, covering over 260 kilometres across four states. Established to tap into the monetisation potential of national highway assets, Raajmarg InvIT aims to attract retail and domestic investors. The assets include key highway segments such as the 80.52-kilometre Gorhar–Barwa Adda in Jharkhand and the 69.4-kilometre Chilakaluripet–Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav highlighted that this initiative will offer retail investors stable returns while fostering a sense of ownership in national infrastructure development. This move aligns with the Centre’s National Monetisation Pipeline, which seeks to enhance private sector involvement in infrastructure management. Additionally, NHAI plans to offer around 1,500 kilometres of further assets to Raajmarg InvIT in the coming three to five years.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 9 pm
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