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India may import US soybean meal due to poultry demand

India may soon need to import soybean meal from the US to support its burgeoning poultry sector, despite currently being self-sufficient, according to Divya Kumar Gulati, chairman of the Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association (CLFMA). Speaking at a pre-event for the upcoming Poultry India Expo in Hyderabad, Gulati highlighted ongoing trade negotiations between India and the US, suggesting that US farmers, facing financial losses due to reduced exports to China, are eager to sell soybean meal, a non-GMO product. While India has previously imported soybean meal, Gulati noted that the country currently benefits from an excess of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a protein-rich byproduct of rice ethanol production. However, he warned that if the poultry sector continues to grow at its current pace, India may eventually face shortages of raw materials, particularly corn. The government has allowed limited imports of GM soybean meal under strict regulations since 2021. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 6 pm

Report: 62% of senior manufacturing roles filled externally

India's manufacturing sector is undergoing significant leadership changes, with nearly 62% of senior appointments sourced externally, according to a report by CIEL HR Services. The analysis, which tracked executive movements over the past year, found that 47% of these changes occurred at the CEO, President, or Managing Director level, indicating a shift towards transformative leadership amid challenges like digitalisation and global supply chain adjustments. Manufacturing accounted for 23% of all leadership changes across industries, second only to IT & ITeS. The automotive sector was particularly active, representing 35% of senior-level movements, and demonstrated a notable commitment to gender diversity, with women comprising 26% of executive hires. Companies such as Tata Motors and Mahindra Group were highlighted for their executive transitions. CIEL's Group CEO, Aditya Mishra, emphasized that this trend reflects a growing need for experienced leaders to drive innovation and operational excellence in a rapidly evolving market. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 9 pm

Philippines extends rice import ban as top buyer

Asia's benchmark rice price has plummeted to an eight-year low, driven by robust monsoon planting in India, the world's leading rice exporter. In response, the Philippines plans to extend its rice import ban until April 2026, allowing only limited shipments in January to support local farmers during the peak harvest season. This decision, initially set for a 60-day duration starting September 1, aims to protect domestic agriculture but may exacerbate global supply levels, potentially driving prices even lower. Nitin Gupta from Olam Agri India noted that the Philippines' prolonged absence from the market contributes to a bearish outlook for rice prices, which are already declining due to anticipated good harvests and weak demand. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization forecasts a record global production of 556.4 million tons for the 2025-26 season, further increasing stockpiles and reversing the price surge seen in 2024. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 9 pm

Telangana Resolves Cotton Procurement Uncertainty

In a significant development for Telangana's cotton procurement process, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao convened a meeting on Monday with representatives from ginning mills, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), and the Marketing Department. The stakeholders have agreed to resolve outstanding issues and initiate procurement within the next ten days. The Minister urged the CCI to ensure that ginning millers encounter no obstacles and to conduct weekly reviews of the procurement process, implementing necessary adjustments. Concerns were raised by ginning millers regarding certain clauses proposed by the CCI that they believe could undermine their interests. Emphasizing the importance of farmers' welfare, the Minister reiterated the government's commitment to protecting their interests and called for immediate action to commence procurement. Additionally, he encouraged officials to promote the newly launched mobile app, Kapas Kisan, to assist farmers in booking sales slots. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 8 pm

Indian coffee competes with Uganda, Ethiopia's rising market

The price differentials for Indian robusta parchment AB coffee have surged to between $1,200 and $1,300 per tonne over LIFFE prices, a significant increase from $800-$900 earlier this year. This rise has intensified competition from other coffee-producing nations, particularly Uganda and Ethiopia, which are offering lower prices and gaining traction in markets traditionally dominated by Indian coffee. Ramesh Rajah, President of the Coffee Exporters Association, noted that the widening price gap—now $300-$400—has prompted buyers to consider alternatives, reducing their purchases of Indian coffee. Europe remains the largest market for Indian coffee, accounting for 55-60% of exports. Meanwhile, BMI has revised its coffee price forecast upward to $3.40 per pound, citing recent price rallies driven by supply issues in Brazil and Vietnam, as well as uncertainties surrounding US tariffs. The agency warns of potential volatility in the market due to various external factors. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 8 pm

Crisil forecasts MSME NPAs at 3.9% by FY26 due to tariffs

Crisil Ratings has warned that rapid credit growth to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) could lead to increased asset-quality risks, with gross non-performing assets (NPAs) in this sector expected to rise to approximately 3.9% by the end of FY26. This increase is largely attributed to the 50% tariffs imposed by the US on Indian exports, which will particularly impact export-oriented MSMEs in sectors like textiles, gems, and processed seafood. While the overall NPAs for the banking system are projected to reach 2.3-2.5% by FY25, Crisil cautioned against aggressive lending to MSMEs, noting that past rapid growth periods have often resulted in higher NPAs. In contrast, retail and corporate loan NPAs are expected to remain stable, with retail NPAs at 1.2% and corporate NPAs at 1.4-1.5%, supported by strong balance sheets and steady housing sector performance. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 8 pm

IMF: Stronger policies aid emerging economies in crisis resilience

A recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) study highlights the resilience of emerging market economies in the face of global economic shocks, attributing this stability to credible inflation targeting, improved foreign exchange regimes, and robust fiscal policies. The report, part of the IMF's World Economic Outlook, notes that while external factors, such as the US's zero interest rate policy, have aided this resilience, enhanced economic frameworks have been pivotal in enabling these markets to withstand crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict. The analysis indicates that better policies have contributed an additional half percentage point to growth and reduced inflation by 0.6 percentage points. However, the IMF warns against over-reliance on local banks for debt absorption during stressful periods, advocating for reforms to enhance transparency in debt issuance and attract a broader range of investors, particularly in smaller, riskier frontier markets. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 7 pm

Farm Peace Files IPO Draft for BSE SME Listing

Farm Peace, an integrated contract farming company based in Ahmedabad, has filed preliminary documents with the BSE's SME platform to launch an initial public offering (IPO) aimed at raising ₹23 crore. The IPO will consist of a fresh issue of 54.24 lakh equity shares, each with a face value of ₹10. The proceeds will primarily support the company's incremental working capital needs, with any remaining funds allocated for general corporate purposes. Established in 2021, Farm Peace specializes in processed-grade potato varieties, supplying to firms that produce french fries and chips. The company oversees the entire farming process, providing farmers with essential support, including seed selection and pest management. Neeraj Vishnukumar Gupta, founder of Meru Cabs, serves as an advisor to Farm Peace. For the fiscal year 2025, the company reported revenues of ₹79.24 crore and a profit after tax of ₹6.66 crore. Socradamus Capital is the lead manager for the offering. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 7 pm

NITI Aayog: India-US summer exports at risk without deal

India's NITI Aayog CEO, BVR Subrahmanyam, has emphasized the need for the country to open its markets to enhance manufacturing competitiveness, particularly in light of ongoing trade negotiations with the US. He warned that without a timely trade deal, India's exports to the US could face challenges during the summer season, although he remains optimistic that an agreement may be reached by November. Subrahmanyam highlighted the significant impact of the US's 50% tariffs on Indian goods, urging for a reduction in both tariffs and non-tariff barriers to foster a more competitive manufacturing environment. He stressed the importance of targeting Asian markets, especially China, to boost exports. Additionally, he outlined India's new manufacturing policy, which aims to create a world-class ecosystem through cluster development. The ongoing bilateral trade agreement talks focus on addressing US tariffs, with India's energy security and relations with Russia also playing a crucial role in negotiations. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 7 pm

India accelerates free trade talks with Chile, Peru

India is intensifying its free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Chile and Peru, starting October 25, as part of its strategy to diversify trade amid challenges posed by US tariffs. Sources indicate that negotiators aim to finalize the India-Chile FTA by year-end, while discussions with Peru may take longer but are progressing steadily. The existing preferential trade agreement between India and Chile, established in 2006 and expanded in 2017, is set to evolve into a comprehensive economic partnership covering a wide range of sectors, including critical minerals and digital services. Currently, bilateral trade between India and Chile stands at $3.75 billion, with significant potential for growth, particularly in automobiles and pharmaceuticals. The upcoming negotiations will be crucial, especially for India, which is wary of potential Chinese exploitation of the FTAs and is keen to establish stringent rules of origin to safeguard its interests. sources

Published:
Oct 06 2025, 7 pm

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