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The Indian Government has approved the export of an additional 2.5 million tonnes (mt) of wheat, 0.5 mt of wheat products, and 0.5 mt of sugar to stabilize domestic markets and support farmers. This decision follows a comprehensive assessment of current stock levels and prices, with the Food Ministry emphasizing that wheat stocks held by private entities are 3.2 mt higher than last year, ensuring sufficient domestic availability. The total wheat in the central pool is projected at 18.2 mt by April 1, 2026, coinciding with the next harvest. The increase in wheat acreage for the Rabi 2025-26 season reflects farmers' confidence due to assured minimum support prices. Additionally, the new sugar export permits will be limited to willing mills, requiring them to export at least 70% of their allocated quantity by June 30, 2026, to manage surplus effectively. 
Published: Feb 13 2026, 4 pmeznews.inTea prices at Kochi auctions have surged due to rising demand and dwindling supply, particularly for orthodox leaves, which saw an increase of ₹15 per kg. Traders attribute this price hike to lower temperatures in high-altitude tea-growing regions, adversely affecting production and leading to reduced arrivals at the auction. In Sale 7, 1,57,560 kg of orthodox leaves were offered, achieving a remarkable 97% sales rate, with strong interest from buyers in CIS and Middle Eastern countries. The auctioneer, Forbes, Ewart & Figgis, reported that whole leaf and brokens prices rose by ₹5 to ₹10, while clean black and well-made medium whole leaf and brokens increased by ₹10 to ₹20. CTC leaf also performed well, with 91% of the 37,000 kg offered sold, and CTC dust prices remained steady, with 93% of the 5,90,812 kg offered sold, indicating robust market demand.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 5 pmeznews.inA recent study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) reveals that inefficiencies in marine fisheries infrastructure are leading to a staggering global loss of 25 to 35 million tonnes of fish annually. In developing countries, fish loss accounts for 20-35% of total production, with some regions facing losses as high as 75%, threatening both nutrition security and economic sustainability. Presented at an international workshop in Puducherry, the study highlights that 20-60% of fish caught in Asia is lost along the value chain, primarily due to inadequate facilities at landing sites. P. Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, emphasized the need for a comprehensive upgrade of the fisheries value chain, including improved cold storage and processing technologies. Drawing on successful models from Norway and Iceland, the report advocates for technological adoption and policy alignment to reduce post-harvest losses in the Bay of Bengal region.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 3 pmeznews.inAyekart, an agritech firm co-founded by Debarshi Dutta, aims to streamline India's fragmented food and agriculture supply chain through its digital infrastructure platform. Launched in September 2021, Ayekart connects farmers and last-mile retailers using a technology-driven, asset-light model, facilitating direct supplies to processors across 22 states without the need for storage assets. The company sources around 15 commodities, including coffee from Araku Valley, and has recently expanded its operations internationally, opening an office in Singapore and attracting interest from the Middle East and Africa. A key feature of Ayekart's model is immediate payment assurance for suppliers, mitigating working capital risks. The firm also operates as a distribution partner for major consumer goods companies, managing over 40 warehouses and reaching approximately 300,000 retail touchpoints. Additionally, Ayekart invests in capacity-building initiatives, training over 60,000 farmers and assisting farmer producer organizations in securing funding.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIn January 2026, the Indian automobile sector achieved record domestic wholesales, with significant year-on-year growth across all vehicle categories, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Passenger vehicle dispatches rose by 12.6% to 449,616 units, while two-wheeler sales surged by 26.2% to 1,925,603 units. Three-wheeler wholesales also saw a robust increase of 30.2%, reaching 75,725 units. The total number of vehicles sold domestically climbed 23.5% to 2,450,944 units. SIAM's Director General, Rajesh Menon, attributed this positive trend to sustained demand following a GST rate reduction and supportive measures in the Union Budget 2026 aimed at bolstering India's manufacturing sector. Exports mirrored this growth, with passenger vehicle exports up 33.4% to 76,822 units, two-wheeler exports increasing by 20% to 456,435 units, and three-wheeler exports soaring by 54.6% to 36,879 units, contributing to an overall export growth of 23.5%.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 1 pmeznews.inChilly weather conditions in Munnar and the Nilgiris since December are raising concerns among tea producers, who fear that prolonged cold spells could adversely affect output. Anil George, Vice President of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd-SBUA, reported a sudden temperature drop to 2–3°C on February 11, leading to frost in several tea estates, an unusual occurrence for this time of year. The frost has damaged tender tea leaves, impacting production, particularly in the Nilgiris district, where green leaf arrivals have plummeted. Dhananjayan Krishnamurthy, president of the Nilgiris Bought Tea Leaf Manufacturers Association, noted that many factories are operating only once a week due to a severe leaf shortage, affecting small growers and factory workers. The sharp temperature variations and low humidity are creating unfavourable conditions for tea growth, with crop losses in Munnar estimated at around 100 hectares. Kerala's tea production, primarily from Munnar, is projected at 64 million kg, with 25% from this region.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's edible oil imports saw a slight decline of 2% in the first quarter of the 2025-26 oil year, totaling 38.78 lakh tonnes compared to 39.21 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. This decrease was primarily driven by reduced imports of soybean and sunflower oils, with soybean oil imports falling to 12.02 lakh tonnes and sunflower oil to 7.62 lakh tonnes. Conversely, palm oil imports surged to 19.08 lakh tonnes, up from 16.21 lakh tonnes, with crude palm oil imports rising significantly to 18.87 lakh tonnes. The share of palm oil in total edible oil imports increased to 49%, while the ratio of refined oils dropped sharply to 2%. Additionally, Nepal exported around 54,000 tonnes of refined oils to India in November 2025, with Malaysia and Indonesia being major exporters of crude palm oil. Overall, total vegetable oil imports reached 39.60 lakh tonnes, down from 40.46 lakh tonnes year-on-year.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 1 pmeznews.inSatellite imagery on Friday revealed significant cloud cover around Sri Lanka, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted the development of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal by Sunday. This system, linked to an upper-air cyclonic circulation in the east Equatorial Indian Ocean, is expected to move west-northwest towards the Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka coasts, although it may not make landfall during the week starting February 19. Light to moderate rainfall is anticipated across South India, with precipitation levels expected to be near or above normal. Meanwhile, a western disturbance is affecting northern India, with isolated rain and snow predicted for Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh and other northern states early next week. The IMD also noted that a subsequent western disturbance is expected to arrive mid-week, potentially altering weather patterns across the region.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 12 pmeznews.inThe India International Coffee Festival (IICF) 2026 commenced on February 12 in Bengaluru, spotlighting the country's burgeoning specialty coffee sector. Organised by the Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI) with backing from the Coffee Board of India and Nestlé India, the three-day event features over 120 exhibitors and anticipates more than 30,000 attendees. It emphasizes a farm-to-cup approach, offering workshops, tastings, and insights into coffee production and brewing, while also hosting the National Coffee Championships, where regional winners will compete internationally. As the seventh-largest coffee producer and fifth-largest exporter, India is witnessing a surge in domestic consumption, which rose to 91,000 tonnes in 2023, driven by a growing population and rising incomes. The festival underscores the industry's shift towards quality, traceability, and innovation, reflecting the evolving landscape of India's coffee ecosystem.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's auto sector has experienced a robust start to 2026, with passenger vehicle dispatches rising 13% year-on-year to 449,616 units in January, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). This marks an increase from 399,386 units in January 2025. Two-wheeler sales surged by 26%, reaching 1,925,603 units compared to 1,526,218 units in the same month last year. Additionally, three-wheeler dispatches saw a significant 30% increase, totaling 75,725 units, up from 58,167 units in January 2025. Industry experts attribute this growth to a combination of factors, including the carryover of festival-season demand, improved dealer supply chains, and rising consumer confidence, indicating a positive outlook for the Indian automotive market.
Published: Feb 13 2026, 11 am
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