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Corteva introduces Pixxaro weedicide for Indian wheat farmers

Corteva Agriscience has launched Pixxaro, a new broadleaf weed control solution for wheat in India, designed to enhance crop safety and yield potential. This post-emergent pre-mix combines Arylex active and Fluroxypyr, effectively managing tough broadleaf weeds (BLWs) such as Chenopodium album and Rumex dentatus, which can reduce wheat yields by up to 36% if left uncontrolled. Unlike traditional methods that often prioritize narrow-leaf weeds, Pixxaro offers a one-shot, broad-spectrum efficacy, minimizing the need for multiple applications and reducing crop shock. Extensive research and farmer demonstrations across key wheat-growing states have confirmed its reliable performance, even in challenging conditions. Corteva emphasizes responsible use through farmer training and stewardship initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to science-driven crop protection that supports both crop health and grower profitability. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 6 pm

SpiceJet Q2 FY26 Loss Widens to ₹635 Crore Due to Forex

SpiceJet reported a net loss of ₹635.42 crore for the second quarter of FY26, a significant increase from the ₹447.54 crore loss in the same period last year. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, the loss was ₹447.70 crore, slightly higher than the previous year's ₹424.26 crore. Chairman Ajay Singh attributed the losses to costs associated with fleet revival and expansion, which he believes will yield positive results moving forward. The airline's performance was also affected by recalibrated dollar-based obligations, costs of grounded aircraft, and rising operating expenses due to airspace restrictions. Despite these challenges, SpiceJet maintained a healthy Passenger Load Factor of 84.3% and reported a loss of ₹203.80 crore on an EBITDAR basis. The airline has undertaken fleet enhancements, finalizing leases for 19 aircraft, and improved its financial position through restructuring measures, including a $24-million settlement with Credit Suisse. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 6 pm

October retail inflation falls to 0.25%, a multi-year low

Food inflation in India has plummeted to -5.02% in October 2025, marking a significant decline in prices across various categories, including oils, vegetables, and cereals. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the same month recorded a low retail inflation rate of 0.25%, the lowest since the base year of 2012, according to the Statistics Ministry. This decrease of 119 basis points from September is attributed to the full impact of reduced Goods and Services Tax (GST), a favorable base effect, and lower prices in several sectors. Rural food inflation stood at -4.85%, while urban food inflation fell to -5.18%. Overall, the rural sector experienced a headline inflation rate of -0.25%, down from -1.07% in September, while urban inflation decreased from 1.83% to 0.88%. Education and health inflation rates also saw slight increases, at 3.49% and 3.86%, respectively. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 4 pm

SpiceJet reports larger loss due to low passenger traffic

SpiceJet, the cash-strapped Indian airline, reported a significant quarterly loss of ₹634 crore ($72.1 million) for the period ending September 30, widening from a loss of ₹442 crore a year earlier. The decline in passenger traffic, which fell by 22.5% to 751,000, coupled with soaring foreign exchange costs, exacerbated the financial strain. Revenue dropped by approximately 13% to ₹7.08 billion, with foreign exchange losses surging eight-fold to ₹188 crore, representing 26.5% of total revenue. Despite these challenges, SpiceJet has been slow to increase its fleet capacity, relying on wet-lease arrangements to temporarily boost operations ahead of the holiday season. Chairman Ajay Singh emphasized that the current financial results reflect short-term costs associated with fleet revival and expansion, asserting that these strategic investments are expected to yield positive outcomes in the upcoming quarter. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 4 pm

Cement industry plans 160-170 MT capacity growth by FY28

The Indian cement industry is set to expand its grinding capacity by 160-170 million tonnes (MT) between FY26 and FY28, with an investment of approximately ₹1.2 lakh crore, according to a report by Crisil. This represents a 75% increase compared to the previous three fiscal years, during which the industry added 95 MT. The growth is driven by strong demand and high capacity utilisation, which reached 70% last fiscal, up from a decadal average of 65%. Notably, 65% of the new capacity will come from brownfield projects, minimizing costs and implementation challenges. Crisil's analysis, covering 17 major cement producers responsible for 85% of the 668 MT installed capacity as of March 31, 2025, indicates that financial leverage will remain stable, with a significant portion of the capital expenditure funded by healthy operating cash flows. Additionally, 10-15% of the capex will be allocated to green energy and efficiency improvements. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 3 pm

India's large market shields it from external shocks: World Bank

India's vast domestic market significantly reduces its vulnerability to external economic fluctuations, according to Aurelien Kruse, Lead Economist at the World Bank. Speaking at CareEdge Global's event, Kruse highlighted that India's scale, resilience, and favorable demographics position it as a robust player in the global economy. With a growing working-age population and a dependency ratio that supports economic growth, India is projected to maintain a growth rate between 6.3% and 7% in the coming years, as forecasted by both the World Bank and IMF. However, Kruse emphasized the need for India to enhance productivity and efficiency to aim for a growth rate of 10%. He noted that India's burgeoning digital and innovation sectors are crucial for this advancement. Despite global trade challenges, Kruse remains optimistic, asserting that India's economic trajectory is promising, and its openness to global markets will further bolster its growth potential. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 2 pm

FM Engages MSME Stakeholders for Pre-Budget Talks

In New Delhi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the third pre-Budget consultation meeting focused on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector as part of the preparations for the Union Budget 2026-27. The meeting, attended by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and MSME, aimed to address key challenges faced by the sector and discuss measures to enhance its growth and competitiveness. The consultations are a crucial part of the budget preparation process, allowing the Finance Ministry to gather diverse perspectives from stakeholders, including industry associations and economists. These discussions are expected to inform the upcoming budget, which is set to be presented in Parliament on February 1, 2026. The series of pre-Budget meetings underscores the government's commitment to engaging with various sectors to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive budget. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 2 pm

"Policy Should Be Neutral, Not Favor Larger Cars, Says Bhargava"

RC Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India, has voiced concerns over the draft Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE-3) standards, which he argues exhibit bias towards larger vehicles. Speaking to _businessline_, Bhargava emphasized that regulations should be neutral and not favour any specific class of vehicles unless explicitly mandated by the government. He criticized the initial CAFE draft released in December 2024 for favouring bigger cars, although he acknowledged improvements in the September revision that included small cars. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) recently submitted comments on the draft, revealing a split within the industry; while companies like Maruti and Toyota support small cars, others, including Tata and Hyundai, advocate for weight reductions in larger vehicles. Bhargava reiterated the need for fairness in the CAFE norms, arguing that regulations should promote efficiency and reduce emissions without bias. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 1 pm

Codex panel limits lead in spices to 2 mg/kg

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, the United Nations' food standards body, has established a maximum lead limit of 2 mg/kg for culinary herbs and 2.5 mg/kg for spices, including cinnamon, to address health risks associated with lead exposure. Meeting in Rome from November 10 to 14, the Commission emphasized the importance of these limits due to lead's neurodevelopmental effects in children and other serious health issues, such as hypertension and impaired fertility. The new regulations will be incorporated into the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed. Additionally, the Commission revised its code of practice for reducing aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, highlighting the need for updated practices to combat this potent liver carcinogen. The panel also approved a standard for fresh dates to enhance consumer trust and facilitate international trade, reflecting the growing market for this product. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 1 pm

QCOs enhance manufacturing quality, reduce sub-standard imports: Goyal

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has staunchly defended the government's Quality Control Orders (QCOs), which aim to enhance product quality and promote a culture of excellence in manufacturing across various sectors, including toys and plywood. His remarks come in response to a NITI Aayog report suggesting the scrapping of certain QCOs, arguing they hinder India's competitiveness and burden MSMEs with increased costs and compliance challenges. Speaking at the Udyog Samagam 2025 event, Goyal emphasized that QCOs, which mandate compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulations, are crucial for improving local production quality and curbing low-quality imports. Currently, around 188 QCOs cover over 773 products, but the NITI Aayog has called for a rationalization of these measures, advocating for phased implementation and exemptions for essential raw materials to support smaller manufacturers. sources

Published:
Nov 12 2025, 12 pm

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