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The Darjeeling tea industry is facing significant challenges as the plucking of its premium first flush tea, which typically begins around mid-March, has been delayed by at least two weeks due to adverse weather conditions. This first flush, known for being the world's most expensive tea, accounts for approximately 20% of the region's annual production and 40% of its revenue. Industry leaders warn that without adequate rainfall in the next week, crop losses could be substantial. Last year, production fell to 5.60 million kgs, the lowest in recent history, exacerbated by dry weather and declining demand. While India's overall tea exports rose by 9.9% in 2024, concerns are mounting over rising imports, particularly of cheaper teas from countries like Kenya and Vietnam, which threaten the domestic market. Industry experts emphasize the need for vigilance against unchecked imports that could undermine local producers. 
Published: Apr 01 2025, 8 ameznews.inAs of March 31, 2025, the procurement of Kharif-grown paddy has been completed in all Indian states except West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, and Tripura, with total purchases reaching 45.73 million tonnes, a 1% increase from the previous year. However, rice procurement slowed in March, with the growth rate dropping from 5% to just 1% as the government grapples with surplus rice, estimated at 41 million tonnes, after fulfilling food security requirements. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has procured significant amounts from various states, including 11.63 million tonnes from Punjab and 3.86 million tonnes from Uttar Pradesh. The government aims to purchase 7 million tonnes of Rabi-grown paddy starting April 1, 2025. Experts suggest that the lower-than-expected procurement may aid in better management of surplus rice, crucial for the government's welfare schemes, especially as rice has increasingly replaced wheat in public distribution.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 2 pmeznews.inBoeing's diversion of 737 Max jets originally intended for Chinese carriers has provided Air India Ltd. with a temporary boost in aircraft supply, but this advantage is set to diminish by June 2025. Since September 2023, Air India has received an average of two jets per month, benefiting from a backlog clearance due to Chinese airlines deferring deliveries over safety concerns regarding lithium batteries. The airline has ordered 190 jets, with its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, having taken possession of 41 of the 50 available "white-tail" planes. However, with no new deliveries expected until after March 2026, Air India risks falling behind market leader IndiGo, which is expanding its fleet aggressively. Boeing aims to ramp up production to 38 jets monthly by mid-2025, while Air India has also acquired six Airbus A350-900s and leased 11 Boeing 777s amid ongoing delivery challenges.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 2 pmeznews.inOn April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to announce a new series of tariffs during an event dubbed "Liberation Day," aimed at reducing reliance on foreign goods and boosting domestic manufacturing. The announcement, scheduled for 4 PM ET (1:30 AM IST on April 3), will detail reciprocal tariffs that could impact key trading partners, including India. While Trump claims these measures will create jobs and stimulate investment, economists warn that the tariffs may lead to higher consumer prices and sluggish economic growth. Reports suggest that India is preparing to make significant tariff cuts on American products, a move Trump welcomed. However, uncertainty remains regarding the specifics of the tariffs and their potential effects on U.S. families and the global economy, with some analysts predicting substantial cost increases for consumers.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department to intensify monitoring of illegal imports of Chinese garlic, following reports of its continued entry into the country despite a longstanding ban. The ban, imposed in 2005 due to harmful fungi found in Chinese garlic, has not deterred illegal shipments, with 507 tonnes seized in the 2024-25 fiscal year alone. Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Ramnath Thakur, confirmed that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had previously seized 546 tonnes during 2023-24. In response to complaints about the sale of Chinese garlic in Chennai, the FSSAI has directed local authorities to enhance surveillance and enforcement measures, in line with the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003, which governs agricultural imports.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's aviation turbine fuel (ATF) consumption surged to a record 799,000 tonnes in March 2025, marking a 9.3% increase month-on-month and a 17% rise compared to March 2023, according to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC). This peak was part of a trend throughout the fiscal year, with ATF consumption reaching an all-time high of 8.98 million tonnes, up nearly 9% year-on-year. The spike in fuel usage was bolstered by increased travel during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, although overall passenger growth for FY25 is projected to be slightly lower than expected at around 410 million due to aircraft delivery delays and adverse weather. Looking ahead, the PPAC anticipates a robust 11% annual growth in jet fuel consumption for FY26, driven by rising disposable incomes in India, with international travel expected to expand significantly as new wide-body aircraft are introduced.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 12 pmeznews.inKerala's black pepper production has seen a dramatic decline, with the area under cultivation dropping by 15% from 85,431 hectares in 2014-15 to 72,669 hectares in 2023-24, resulting in a 25% decrease in output from 40,690 tonnes to 30,798 tonnes. Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur attributed this downturn to various factors, including pests, diseases like foot rot, and the impact of severe floods in 2018 and 2019, which coincided with low market prices, discouraging farmers. Additionally, competition from more profitable crops and insufficient soil conservation measures have exacerbated the situation. To support farmers, the government has initiated programs through the Kerala State Horticulture Mission, focusing on quality planting materials and garden rehabilitation. Research institutions have also developed high-yield, disease-resistant pepper varieties, which now account for 70% of the country's production areas, aiming to boost productivity and restore interest in black pepper cultivation.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 12 pmeznews.inDP World Cochin's International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) has achieved a remarkable 11% growth in FY2024-25, handling 834,665 TEUs, surpassing the previous record of 754,237 TEUs. The terminal also set a new transhipment volume record of 169,562 TEUs and recorded significant activity across various business segments, including foreign and coastal exports. Infrastructure enhancements, such as new Ship-to-Shore cranes and electrified Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes, have increased the terminal's capacity to 1.4 million TEUs. Additionally, Kerala's first Free Trade Warehousing Zone has successfully managed 2,255 tonnes of cargo. CEO Praveen Joseph emphasized the importance of sustainability and efficiency in operations, aiming to support regional trade growth. The terminal's direct connectivity to key regions, including the Far East and Middle East, allows for 50% of cargo to bypass congested hubs, significantly reducing transit times.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 12 pmeznews.inDarjeeling tea production is facing significant challenges due to a combination of factors, including aging tea bushes, a shift towards organic farming, and the impacts of climate change, according to Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada. In a recent Lok Sabha session, he outlined the Tea Board's response, which includes enhancing farm management practices, promoting drought-resistant cultivars, and implementing integrated pest management. The region's tea output has been declining for over a decade, with production dropping from 9.14 million kg in 2011 to just 5.60 million kg in 2024, marking a concerning trend exacerbated by adverse weather and reduced demand. Darjeeling tea, known for its geographical identification (GI) tag, typically sees annual exports of 3-3.25 million kg, primarily to Europe and Japan. The Tea Board continues to promote Indian tea through various international marketing initiatives.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's manufacturing sector ended the fiscal year 2024-25 on a high note, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reaching an eight-month peak of 58.1 in March, according to S&P Global. This surge was driven by a robust new orders index, which hit 61.5, despite a slight slowdown in international orders. The strong demand led to the fastest decline in finished goods stocks in over three years, as companies increased production to meet customer interest. While employment growth remained solid, recruitment efforts were tempered due to mild capacity pressures. Inflation rates rose to a three-month high, influenced by higher costs for materials like copper and rubber, although price increases for goods remained moderate. Looking ahead, optimism prevails among manufacturers, with around 30% expecting increased output in the coming year, bolstered by favorable demand conditions and improved customer relations.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 11 ameznews.inA dry winter has led to an early onset of heatwaves in India, with temperatures along the West Coast soaring in February, according to Sanjay Srivastava, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction at UN-ESCAP. This alarming trend is part of a broader pattern of intensified heatwaves that have caused the planet to surpass previous temperature records. The existing Heat Index, developed in 1979, fails to accurately reflect the extreme conditions of today, necessitating the creation of an Extended Heat Index (EHI) for better risk assessment. Climate change has exacerbated the situation, adding 41 extra days of "dangerous" heat in 2024 and linking extreme temperatures to significant health risks, including cardiorespiratory diseases. While local Heat Action Plans (HAPs) have shown promise in mitigating these risks, experts stress the need for more comprehensive, science-driven strategies that incorporate the latest research and target vulnerable populations effectively.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 11 am
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