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India's dairy sector is facing a period of tighter supply and margin recalibration following a tumultuous three years marked by disruptions and recovery, as highlighted in a recent expert session by Systematix Institutional Equities. The post-COVID landscape of 2022-23 saw a significant drop in milk prices, adversely affecting farmers and leading to reduced cattle induction and milk output. However, from mid-2023, initiatives by cooperatives and private players, including sustainable fodder programs, revitalized supply, resulting in a nearly 25% increase in production during the October 2024-March 2025 flush season. Despite this temporary surplus, early rains and geopolitical tensions in 2025 disrupted supply, while festive demand further strained inventories. Consequently, procurement costs have risen, with some regional price hikes reported. Companies are now considering selective price increases and shifting focus to value-added products, as consumer preferences evolve towards milk-based alternatives and distribution channels adapt to e-commerce trends. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 12 pmeznews.inOpen-end spinning mills in Tamil Nadu, numbering over 600, have reduced production by 50% to enhance profitability amid challenging market conditions. G Arulmozhi, president of the Open-End Spinning Mills Association (OSMA), highlighted that rising prices of cotton waste, a key raw material, have compounded losses, despite a decline in cotton and yarn prices. Daily production of cotton grey and colored yarn stands at approximately 25 lakh kg and 15 lakh kg, respectively. Cotton prices have dropped from ₹60,000 to ₹53,500 per candy, yet the cost of comber noil has increased from ₹100 to ₹113 per kg. OSMA is urging the state government to lower electricity tariffs and the central government to restrict cotton waste exports to stabilize the sector. Arulmozhi emphasized that utilizing domestic cotton waste for value-added products could significantly boost foreign exchange earnings, rather than exporting raw materials at lower prices. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Association (TASMA) has called on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to extend the duty-free import of cotton beyond December 31, 2025, amid concerns of a potential cotton shortage due to declining production. TASMA President A P Appukutty highlighted that the government's recent extension of duty-free imports until the end of 2025 has allowed mills to source cotton at 11% lower prices, enhancing their competitiveness in the global market. This move is particularly significant given the 50% tariffs imposed by the US on all imports, which has strained the industry. The Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption has projected a lower production estimate of 292.15 lakh bales for the upcoming season, marking the lowest domestic availability in recent years. Appukutty emphasized that further extending duty-free imports would be crucial for mills facing low cotton arrivals. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 1 pmeznews.inSevere winter storm warnings have led to significant disruptions in U.S. air travel, with over 1,100 flights canceled and nearly 3,800 delayed as of midday Friday, according to FlightAware. The National Weather Service has cautioned that hazardous travel conditions will affect areas from the Great Lakes to the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England through Saturday morning. Major airports, including New York's John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia, as well as Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, have alerted travelers to potential delays and cancellations. JetBlue Airways has reported the highest number of cancellations at 225, followed by Delta Air Lines with 186, Republic Airways with 155, American Airlines with 96, and United Airlines with 82. In response to the disruptions, American Airlines has issued a travel alert, allowing affected passengers to rebook without incurring change fees. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tuticorin has launched a third tender for its Outer Harbour Development Project, now adopting the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) to attract private investment. The project's estimated cost has surged to ₹9,859 crore, up from ₹7,056 crore, as it shifts from a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model. Under HAM, the government will cover 40% of the costs during construction, with private developers financing the remaining 60%, aiming to balance risk and enhance project viability. The project includes the construction of two deep-draft terminals, breakwaters, and offshore reclamation areas to boost cargo handling and accommodate larger vessels. Previous attempts to secure bidders were unsuccessful, with the latest tender issued after a lack of interest in earlier rounds. The initiative is expected to strengthen India's maritime capabilities and global trade connectivity. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 10 ameznews.inOn December 23, India celebrated Kisan Diwas, honoring farmers on the 25th anniversary of the event, which commemorates the birth of Chaudhary Charan Singh, a staunch advocate for agricultural rights. This year’s observance highlighted the vital role of smallholder farmers, who have propelled India to become the world's second-largest food producer despite challenges like fragmented landholdings and climate change. Farmers are increasingly adopting Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAPs) such as crop rotation and rainwater harvesting, which enhance resilience and improve yields. Research indicates that these methods not only boost incomes but also promote healthier ecosystems. As India prepares for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference, the #AFarmerCan campaign emphasizes the need for global recognition of farmers as climate heroes. The campaign advocates for policies that support farmers through financial incentives, risk protection, and improved market access, underscoring the essential link between resilient agriculture and national well-being. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia's sugarcane industry, vital to its agriculture-based economy and supporting approximately 55 million farmers, is facing significant financial strain due to a stagnant Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar at ₹31/kg since February 2019. While the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane has surged by 29% over six years, reaching ₹355/quintal, the cost of sugar production has escalated to around ₹41.7/kg, forcing mills to sell below production costs. With bumper sugar production this season, mills are compelled to maintain operations to protect farmer livelihoods, despite unfavorable market conditions and stagnant domestic consumption. The situation is exacerbated by limited ethanol diversion and unclear government policies on ethanol blending. Urgent correction of the MSP is essential to prevent mill closures, delayed payments to farmers, and a broader rural economic crisis, highlighting the need for a dynamic pricing formula that reflects rising costs. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's electronics production has surged sixfold and exports have increased eightfold over the past 11 years, according to Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. He attributed this growth to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a robust manufacturing ecosystem. Production rose from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to an anticipated ₹11.3 lakh crore by 2024-25, while exports jumped from ₹0.38 lakh crore to ₹3.3 lakh crore. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing has attracted over ₹13,475 crore in investments, creating 25 lakh jobs. Mobile manufacturing has particularly flourished, with units increasing from two to around 300, and 99.2% of mobile handsets sold in India now being domestically produced. Vaishnaw highlighted the shift from finished products to components, emphasizing the confidence of global players in India's manufacturing capabilities. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's dairy sector is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by clearer regulations and stricter enforcement from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This shift is prompting companies to prioritize compliance, as buyers increasingly demand transparency and quality assurance in their products. Procurement heads from major retail and food service sectors emphasize that adherence to safety standards is now as crucial as price and volume, with proper documentation and testing becoming essential to maintain brand integrity. While some smaller players may struggle to adapt, many are forming cooperatives or partnering with larger processors to meet these new demands. The organised dairy segment is expected to thrive, benefiting from investments in quality systems and infrastructure, while the informal market continues to serve local needs. Ultimately, compliance is seen not as a burden but as a strategic advantage, paving the way for growth and stability in a competitive landscape. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 9 ameznews.inNew Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India as a "landmark deal," promising increased jobs, higher incomes, and enhanced exports by granting access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers. The FTA, finalized on December 22, 2025, is a significant step in India's strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region and aligns with its vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. Launched in March 2025, the negotiations involved five formal rounds and focused on creating a high-quality economic partnership that promotes employment and innovation, particularly in labor-intensive sectors. The agreement eliminates tariffs on all Indian exports and introduces a new Temporary Employment Entry Visa pathway for Indian professionals, allowing 5,000 skilled workers to enter New Zealand. With bilateral trade reaching $2.4 billion in 2024, the FTA aims to strengthen economic ties and facilitate smoother trade relations between the two nations. 
Published: Dec 27 2025, 9 am
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