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The recent surge in international coffee prices has significantly affected the premiums for speciality coffees, which are typically sold at a fixed price above standard coffee rates. Traditionally, Indian speciality coffees commanded a premium of up to 25%, but this year, growers report that this has plummeted to around 10% due to record-high prices for normal coffee. D. M. Purnesh, President of the Speciality Coffee Association of India, noted that the decline in premiums is a direct result of the soaring prices of regular coffee. Speciality coffees, distinguished by their high quality, unique origins, and meticulous cultivation practices, account for an estimated 5% of India's total coffee production. Despite the challenges, India remains the seventh-largest coffee producer globally, with overall coffee exports reaching a record $1.8 billion, driven by rising global prices amid supply issues from major producers like Brazil and Vietnam. 
Published: Apr 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAirbus Helicopters anticipates that India's civilian helicopter fleet will double over the next five years, spurred by increasing applications such as heli-ambulance services, disaster relief, law enforcement, and tourism. Currently, India operates around 250 civil helicopters, representing about 1% of the global civilian helicopter fleet. Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters for India and South Asia, highlighted the country's diverse geography and the need for effective disaster response as key factors driving this growth. Initiatives like the revised UDAN scheme and the establishment of a dedicated helicopter directorate are expected to enhance operational efficiency. Airbus is also developing a comprehensive ecosystem in India, including a final assembly line for the H125 helicopter in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems and partnerships for maintenance services. The company aims to increase its procurement from Indian manufacturers to $2 billion by the end of the decade, further solidifying its commitment to the Indian aerospace sector.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 7 ameznews.inIndia's Tier-2 cities are emerging as vital hubs for domain-specific talent, particularly in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), Cloud Support, and MedTech, according to the latest report by Quess IT Staffing. The report highlights that the country's Global Capability Centre (GCC) market is projected to grow to $99–105 billion, employing over 2.4 million professionals. With more than 1,800 GCCs and over 120 new centres launched in 2024 alone, the sector is witnessing a 17% year-on-year workforce growth, adding 180,000 jobs. As organisations pivot towards AI-driven, cloud-native, and cyber-resilient ecosystems, there is a notable shift in hiring priorities towards emerging tech roles like GenAI and FinOps. Cities such as Kochi, Coimbatore, Indore, and Jaipur are increasingly attracting talent, driven by demand from key sectors including BFSI, Retail, Telecom, and Manufacturing, underscoring a significant evolution in the Indian job market.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has reported a significant increase in activity, processing 16 million transactions in March, a 10% rise from February's 14.6 million, and surpassing 204 million cumulative transactions by the end of the month. The network has welcomed new participants across various sectors, including grocery, food and beverages, logistics, financial services, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Notable additions include Haldiram’s Nagpur, which achieved over 10,000 transactions, and new brands like Amma’s Pastries and EverBake. The logistics sector also expanded with new players enhancing hyperlocal capabilities. Additionally, over 5,000 personal loan applications were recorded, alongside progress in mutual funds and insurance. A landmark collaboration with the Government of Andhra Pradesh facilitated over 350,000 orders on Women’s Day, showcasing ONDC's role in empowering women entrepreneurs and promoting economic growth.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIndia and the European Union (EU) are exploring the possibility of an early harvest trade agreement, which would allow them to finalize certain trade aspects before addressing more complex issues in a comprehensive deal. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal emphasized the need to prioritize core trade matters, as ongoing discussions have been hindered by non-core issues that are sensitive in India. This initiative follows a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to conclude negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025. The urgency is partly driven by potential US tariffs on trade partners, although this was not explicitly mentioned. The 11th round of FTA negotiations is set for May 12-16 in New Delhi. Additionally, India is pursuing trade agreements with Chile and Peru, highlighting its active engagement in global trade partnerships.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 10 pmeznews.inRetail inflation in India fell to 3.34% in March, down from 3.6% in February, marking the lowest year-on-year rate since August 2019, according to government data released on Tuesday. This decline is largely attributed to significant drops in food prices, particularly vegetables, which saw a deflation of over 7%, and pulses, which decreased by more than 2.7%. Food inflation overall fell to 2.69%, down from 3.75% the previous month. However, prices for edible oils and fruits rose sharply, with inflation exceeding 17% and 16%, respectively. Core inflation remained stable at 4.1%, while the fuel and light category exited deflation after 18 months. Economists anticipate a potential rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India in June, as softer-than-expected inflation may encourage a continued accommodative monetary policy. Meanwhile, wholesale price inflation also decreased to around 2% in March.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIndia's trade deficit surged to $21.54 billion in March 2025, up from $15.34 billion a year earlier, as exports rose only marginally by 0.7% to $41.97 billion, while imports jumped 11.4% to $63.51 billion. The ongoing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding US trade policies, particularly President Trump's tariff decisions, have left exporters anxious about future orders. Despite these challenges, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal noted that India outperformed many nations, achieving record non-petroleum exports. Analysts suggest that exporters rushed shipments ahead of anticipated tariffs, leading to a higher-than-expected deficit. The US remained India's largest export market, with $86.51 billion in goods, while China was the top source of imports at $113.46 billion. Key growth sectors included engineering and pharmaceuticals, although exports of petroleum products and gems declined. Overall, India's goods and services exports are projected to reach a record $820.93 billion in 2024-25.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inDelhi successfully maintained a lower inflation rate throughout the fiscal year 2024-25, contrasting with several states, including Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, which reported retail inflation above the national average. Despite an overall decline in inflation, at least six states with populations over five million, such as Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu, experienced inflation rates exceeding the national headline, attributed to local price pressures, particularly in food. Weather conditions, including anticipated heatwaves and an above-normal monsoon, are expected to further influence food prices and overall inflation. The India Meteorological Department's forecasts are crucial for India's agriculture, which supports a significant portion of the population and GDP. Analysts predict inflation to average around 4% in FY26, with food inflation remaining a key focus, while potential disruptions from extreme weather could pose challenges ahead.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia and the US are set to commence face-to-face negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) next month, following virtual discussions that begin this week. Senior officials aim to finalize the first tranche of the pact by Fall 2025, with efforts to expedite the process. Concurrently, an import monitoring cell has been established to oversee potential surges in imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, amid concerns of merchandise dumping in response to US tariffs. A recent government assessment indicated that rising US costs could lead these exporters to divert goods to India, potentially increasing imports. The inter-Ministerial committee is closely tracking import trends, while India's chief negotiator, Rajesh Agarwal, confirmed plans for in-person talks in May. The BTA aims to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion, presenting both challenges and opportunities for India amid the evolving trade landscape.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's export of organic products surged by 35% to $665.96 million (approximately ₹5,710 crore) in the 2024-25 fiscal year, driven by increased shipments of cereals, tea, spices, medicinal plants, oilseeds, and processed foods. In volume, exports rose by 41% to 0.37 million tonnes. Despite this growth, experts caution that rebuilding the credibility of the 'Organic India' brand is essential, particularly in light of concerns regarding certifying agencies. Notable increases were seen in organic cereals, processed foods, and medicinal plants. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced plans to enhance organic standards and promote exports, projecting potential growth to ₹20,000 crore in three years as more farmers adopt organic practices. The government has also revamped the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) to improve transparency and align with global standards, while advocating for the re-recognition of NPOP by the US to facilitate easier exports.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAgri start-ups Grow Indigo and String Bio have partnered to tackle methane emissions from rice farming, a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. With rice fields covering approximately 160 million hectares worldwide, this collaboration aims to implement a groundbreaking biological solution. Grow Indigo, recognized for its innovative carbon programs in India, promotes regenerative agricultural practices, while String Bio specializes in converting methane into crop nutrition products. Their proprietary technology, CleanRise, utilizes methane-oxidising bacteria to reduce emissions and enhance paddy yields, offering farmers additional income through carbon credits. Usha Barwale Zehr, Executive Director at Grow Indigo, emphasized the partnership's potential to improve resilience in rice cultivation, while Vinod Kumar, Managing Director at String Bio, highlighted the synergy between their solutions. Together, they aim to scale CleanRise across over a million acres, benefiting farmers and contributing to a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 6 pm
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