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Chilly weather conditions in Munnar and the Nilgiris since December are raising concerns among tea producers, who fear that prolonged cold spells could adversely affect output. Anil George, Vice President of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd-SBUA, reported a sudden temperature drop to 2–3°C on February 11, leading to frost in several tea estates, an unusual occurrence for this time of year. The frost has damaged tender tea leaves, impacting production, particularly in the Nilgiris district, where green leaf arrivals have plummeted. Dhananjayan Krishnamurthy, president of the Nilgiris Bought Tea Leaf Manufacturers Association, noted that many factories are operating only once a week due to a severe leaf shortage, affecting small growers and factory workers. The sharp temperature variations and low humidity are creating unfavourable conditions for tea growth, with crop losses in Munnar estimated at around 100 hectares. Kerala's tea production, primarily from Munnar, is projected at 64 million kg, with 25% from this region. 
Published: Feb 13 2026, 1 pmeznews.inIn January 2026, the Indian automobile sector achieved record domestic wholesales, with significant year-on-year growth across all vehicle categories, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Passenger vehicle dispatches rose by 12.6% to 449,616 units, while two-wheeler sales surged by 26.2% to 1,925,603 units. Three-wheeler wholesales also saw a robust increase of 30.2%, reaching 75,725 units. The total number of vehicles sold domestically climbed 23.5% to 2,450,944 units. SIAM's Director General, Rajesh Menon, attributed this positive trend to sustained demand following a GST rate reduction and supportive measures in the Union Budget 2026 aimed at bolstering India's manufacturing sector. Exports mirrored this growth, with passenger vehicle exports up 33.4% to 76,822 units, two-wheeler exports increasing by 20% to 456,435 units, and three-wheeler exports soaring by 54.6% to 36,879 units, contributing to an overall export growth of 23.5%.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's edible oil imports saw a slight decline of 2% in the first quarter of the 2025-26 oil year, totaling 38.78 lakh tonnes compared to 39.21 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. This decrease was primarily driven by reduced imports of soybean and sunflower oils, with soybean oil imports falling to 12.02 lakh tonnes and sunflower oil to 7.62 lakh tonnes. Conversely, palm oil imports surged to 19.08 lakh tonnes, up from 16.21 lakh tonnes, with crude palm oil imports rising significantly to 18.87 lakh tonnes. The share of palm oil in total edible oil imports increased to 49%, while the ratio of refined oils dropped sharply to 2%. Additionally, Nepal exported around 54,000 tonnes of refined oils to India in November 2025, with Malaysia and Indonesia being major exporters of crude palm oil. Overall, total vegetable oil imports reached 39.60 lakh tonnes, down from 40.46 lakh tonnes year-on-year.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 1 pmeznews.inSatellite imagery on Friday revealed significant cloud cover around Sri Lanka, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted the development of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal by Sunday. This system, linked to an upper-air cyclonic circulation in the east Equatorial Indian Ocean, is expected to move west-northwest towards the Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka coasts, although it may not make landfall during the week starting February 19. Light to moderate rainfall is anticipated across South India, with precipitation levels expected to be near or above normal. Meanwhile, a western disturbance is affecting northern India, with isolated rain and snow predicted for Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh and other northern states early next week. The IMD also noted that a subsequent western disturbance is expected to arrive mid-week, potentially altering weather patterns across the region.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 12 pmeznews.inThe India International Coffee Festival (IICF) 2026 commenced on February 12 in Bengaluru, spotlighting the country's burgeoning specialty coffee sector. Organised by the Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI) with backing from the Coffee Board of India and Nestlé India, the three-day event features over 120 exhibitors and anticipates more than 30,000 attendees. It emphasizes a farm-to-cup approach, offering workshops, tastings, and insights into coffee production and brewing, while also hosting the National Coffee Championships, where regional winners will compete internationally. As the seventh-largest coffee producer and fifth-largest exporter, India is witnessing a surge in domestic consumption, which rose to 91,000 tonnes in 2023, driven by a growing population and rising incomes. The festival underscores the industry's shift towards quality, traceability, and innovation, reflecting the evolving landscape of India's coffee ecosystem.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's auto sector has experienced a robust start to 2026, with passenger vehicle dispatches rising 13% year-on-year to 449,616 units in January, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). This marks an increase from 399,386 units in January 2025. Two-wheeler sales surged by 26%, reaching 1,925,603 units compared to 1,526,218 units in the same month last year. Additionally, three-wheeler dispatches saw a significant 30% increase, totaling 75,725 units, up from 58,167 units in January 2025. Industry experts attribute this growth to a combination of factors, including the carryover of festival-season demand, improved dealer supply chains, and rising consumer confidence, indicating a positive outlook for the Indian automotive market.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 11 ameznews.inIndia's palm oil imports surged by approximately 51% in January, reaching 766,384 metric tons compared to December, according to the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA). This significant increase highlights a growing demand for palm oil in the country. In contrast, imports of soyoil saw a sharp decline of over 44%, totaling 278,888 tons, while sunflower oil imports also fell by 23.8%, amounting to 266,575 tons. The contrasting trends in oil imports reflect shifting consumer preferences and market dynamics within India's edible oil sector. The data, released on February 13, 2026, underscores the complexities of the global edible oil market and its impact on domestic consumption patterns.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 11 ameznews.inGourmet Popcornica Pvt Ltd was awarded at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) Founder’s Day for its contributions to the popcorn maize ecosystem. The partnership, initiated in February 2021, aims to enhance India's popcorn maize value chain, boost farmer incomes, and position the country as a global leader in high-quality popcorn production. Over the past five years, ICAR-IIMR's expertise and Gourmet Popcornica's cultivation experience have led to the development of new high-yield, disease-resistant popcorn hybrids. Currently, the company collaborates with over 17,500 farmers across 36,000 acres in nine states, employing sustainable practices and structured contract farming. India's popcorn maize market has surged from 50,000 tonnes to over 130,000 tonnes in the last decade, with domestic production now meeting 65% of demand, significantly reducing import reliance and providing a sustainable income for farmers.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 8 ameznews.inIndia's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has advanced a monumental ₹3.25 lakh crore deal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation, marking the country's largest defence purchase to date. This government-to-government agreement, which coincides with French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to India, will see most of the multi-role fighter aircraft manufactured locally. The DAC, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also approved additional proposals worth ₹3.60 lakh crore, including the procurement of Scalp combat cruise missiles to enhance the Rafale fleet's capabilities. Following the DAC's acceptance of the Indian Air Force's proposal, the project will enter contract negotiations, with a request for proposal (RFP) to be issued soon. The IAF currently operates 36 Rafales, and if the deal is finalized, it will become the second-largest operator of the aircraft after France. The DAC also approved the purchase of six P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft from the US and other initiatives to bolster naval capabilities.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 10 pmeznews.inRetail inflation in India, as measured by the revised Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with a new base year of 2024, stood at 2.75% in January, according to the Statistics Ministry. This marks the first reading under the updated series, which aims to better reflect contemporary household spending patterns. Officials noted that this figure is not directly comparable to December's 1.33% inflation rate based on the 2012 series. Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran emphasized that the overhaul enhances the data foundation for policy decisions, aligning the CPI basket with recent expenditure trends. In January, food inflation was recorded at 2.13%, while housing inflation was at 2.05%. Price pressures varied across categories, with some items like garlic and onion experiencing low inflation, while others, including gold and coconut oil, saw significant increases. Nageswaran highlighted that the reweighting reflects structural changes in consumption as incomes rise, potentially stabilizing fiscal policies linked to the index.
Published: Feb 12 2026, 10 pm
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