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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted higher-than-normal summer temperatures for 2025, prompting optimism in the ice cream industry, which anticipates a 30% sales growth, similar to last year. Sudhir Shah, President of the Indian Ice Cream Manufacturer’s Association, noted that this growth will be primarily driven by low-cost ice creams priced between ₹10-50, while the premium segment, accounting for 20% of growth, caters to urban consumers with higher disposable incomes. New product trends include vegan, low-calorie, and innovative flavours, with brands like Amul and Cream Stone introducing unique offerings such as Raspberry Panna Cotta and even savoury options like brie cheese. The establishment of new manufacturing facilities, such as Havmor's ₹4.5 billion investment in Pune, reflects rising demand fueled by urbanization and changing consumer preferences, supported by state incentives for food processing investments. 
Published: Mar 17 2025, 8 ameznews.inGoa-based regional airline FLY91, which commenced operations on March 18, 2024, is set to expand its fleet from three to ten aircraft within a year, according to Managing Director Manoj Chacko. Currently operating a reduced schedule due to two planes being unavailable for maintenance and regulatory reasons, the airline plans to increase its daily flights from 12-16 to 24 by mid-May. FLY91 has successfully raised ₹250 crore in equity and maintains a debt-free status, allowing for future growth without additional fundraising. Despite facing challenges such as supply chain delays and competition from established carriers like IndiGo, FLY91 aims to enhance its route offerings, including new destinations like Solapur and Hubli. Chacko emphasized the importance of smart revenue management to navigate the competitive landscape, as the airline seeks to solidify its presence in the domestic air travel market.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian Power Ministry anticipates peak power demand to reach 270 gigawatts (GW) this season, up from 250 GW in May 2024, as preparations for the summer months intensify. To meet this demand, the ministry has operationalised 1,744 megawatts (MW) of gas-based power capacity, primarily through state-run NTPC, effective from March 16 to October 15. As of January 31, 2025, the total capacity of monitored natural gas-based plants stands at 23,636 MW. Additionally, coal stocks at thermal power plants have reached a five-year high of 55.9 million tonnes, sufficient for 19 days of operation at 85% capacity. The ministry has also directed imported coal-based plants to maximize output and has implemented measures to ensure hydro-based generation conserves water for peak demand periods. These initiatives aim to bolster power supply during the anticipated high-demand months of April to June and August to October.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has raised concerns regarding the Indian Army's underutilization of 33.6% of its capital budget by the third quarter of FY24-25, despite 66.4% being spent. Led by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh, the Committee urged the Defence Ministry to provide a clear plan for utilizing the remaining funds before the financial year ends. It highlighted a persistent imbalance in spending, with revenue expenditure consistently exceeding capital expenditure, noting a 65:35 ratio for 2025-26. The Committee emphasized the importance of balancing these expenditures for operational readiness and called for accelerated procurement processes to prevent technological obsolescence, especially in light of rapidly changing international dynamics. The panel expressed hope that the Defence Ministry would adopt a pragmatic approach in future budget allocations, aligning with the government's reform agenda for 2025.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inKnam Group, based in Noida, is significantly expanding its rice milling operations in Ladwa, Haryana, with plans to increase processing capacity to 600 tonnes per day by June 2025. CEO Amit Goel revealed that the company, which operates Goyal Rice Mill, has invested in advanced machinery from Japan and is also cultivating in-house seedlings to support local farmers. With an annual turnover of ₹700 crore, Knam aims to package and distribute its pesticide-free rice brands globally. Additionally, the company is venturing into barley, quinoa, and couscous production, while also focusing on research and development, including a low glycemic index rice. In its paper trading division, Knam is prioritizing market expansion and innovation, producing specialized products for the Middle East and Europe, including paper for wrapping shawarma. The company exports to 37 countries and has strategic investments in three paper mills in Gujarat.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar production has plummeted by 16.13% to 23.71 million tonnes (MT) for the 2024-25 season, according to the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF). This decline poses significant challenges for the government's export policy, as only 0.15 MT of the 1 MT allocated for export by September 30 has been shipped, primarily due to high domestic prices. The NFCSF noted that the crushing season is set to conclude by the end of March, with mills in Uttar Pradesh operating until mid-April. Major sugar-producing states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have reported substantial drops in output, exacerbated by pest infestations and adverse weather conditions. The NFCSF has revised its total sugar output forecast for the season to 25.9 MT, down from 31.9 MT last year, highlighting a critical supply-demand mismatch as the industry grapples with lower-than-expected production figures.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inGold prices have surged past $3,000 an ounce, prompting major investment banks like Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, and UBS to revise their forecasts upward. Analysts attribute this rise to ongoing trade tensions, increased central bank purchases, and significant inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Gold has gained over 14% since the start of 2025, following a 30% increase last year, marking it as the best-performing commodity. John Reade from the World Gold Council highlighted that gold's ascent to $3,000 underscores its role as a safe haven during economic uncertainty. Central banks have been net buyers for 15 years, with purchases exceeding 1,000 tonnes annually since 2022, driven by geopolitical factors and inflation concerns. Macquarie Bank anticipates gold could peak at $3,150 per ounce in Q3 2025, while BNP expects prices to reach $3,100 in the coming months, reflecting a tightening physical gold market amid tariff fears.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA white paper titled “Roadmap for growth of sugar, bioenergy and allied industries” has been submitted to Indian government officials by ChiniMandi, a digital platform focused on the sugar and ethanol sectors. The document, developed from insights at the recent Sugar - Ethanol and BioEnergy India Conference, highlights the urgent need for an upward revision of the sugar minimum support price (MSP), which has remained unchanged since 2019, despite rising sugarcane fair and remunerative prices (FRP). This disparity is straining the financial health of the industry. The paper also advocates for ethanol producers to diversify into by-products like distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and extracted oil, and calls for improved logistics and infrastructure for ethanol storage and blending. Industry leaders stress that strategic planning and innovation are essential for enhancing competitiveness and sustainability in the sector, ultimately contributing to national growth and global sustainability goals.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA research team from the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is currently engaged in the 12th Indian scientific expedition to the Southern Ocean, focusing on squid biodiversity amid challenging conditions, including three cyclones and extreme cold. Over 36 days at sea, Principal Scientist Geetha Sasikumar and Technical Officer K K Sajikumar are assessing the abundance and distribution of cephalopods, particularly squids, to understand their ecological roles. The expedition, organized by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, involves 42 researchers from 16 institutions and aims to sample 26 locations. Despite facing severe weather and navigating through ice, the team has observed diverse marine life, including whales and seals, which will enhance ongoing biodiversity monitoring efforts. The collected samples will undergo detailed analysis at CMFRI to inform sustainable management practices for these vital species in the Antarctic ecosystem.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's pepper production for the 2024-25 season is projected to decline by 38% to 78,000 tonnes, down from 126,000 tonnes last year, due to reduced acreage and adverse weather conditions. The government estimates that pepper cultivation has decreased to 2.55 lakh hectares from 3.13 lakh hectares. Prices have surged, exceeding ₹700 per kg in key states like Karnataka and Kerala, partly due to a recent GST exemption for interstate sales, which has been advocated by local farmers and politicians. The Kochi terminal market has seen prices rise to ₹685 for ungarbled and ₹705 for garbled varieties. Experts note that this year is an off-cycle for pepper, with production down across all major states, and anticipate further price increases if demand persists post-Holi. Global production is also expected to decline slightly, with Brazil's output rising, while Sri Lanka's exports to India may not sustain last year's record levels.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 4 pmeznews.inSamunnati, an agri value chain enabler, has appointed Suresh Rajagopalan as its new Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and CEO of its subsidiary, Samunnati Agri Innovation Labs (SAIL). With over 30 years of experience in banking, payments, and fintech, Rajagopalan previously served as CEO of WIBMO, a cross-border PayTech firm acquired by PayU. His appointment aims to drive digital transformation within the agricultural ecosystem, enhancing efficiency and productivity for small-holder farmers through innovative technology-led solutions. Anil Kumar SG, Founder of Samunnati, emphasized Rajagopalan's expertise in technology and platform development as crucial for scaling solutions across the agri value chain. SAIL is dedicated to strengthening market linkages and fostering innovation in agriculture, with a vision to lead in digital agriculture by developing transformative solutions through partnerships and platform-based engagements.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 4 pm
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