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In the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2025, India's non-ferrous metal sector has shown promising growth, with primary aluminium production increasing by 0.9% compared to the previous year. The Mines Ministry reported a significant rise in iron ore production, which surged by 4.4% to 263 million tonnes (MT), up from 252 MT in the same period last year. This growth is indicative of strong demand in the steel industry, which relies heavily on iron ore, accounting for 70% of total mineral production by value. Additionally, manganese ore production rose by 12.8% to 3.4 MT, while bauxite output increased by 3.6% to 22.7 MT. As India stands as the second-largest aluminium producer and a key player in the global iron ore market, these trends suggest robust economic activity across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and automotive, prompting discussions among government ministries and trade bodies to assess the impact of these developments. 
Published: Mar 30 2025, 3 pmeznews.inCrisil Ratings has projected a positive credit quality outlook for India Inc amid global uncertainties, with upgrades expected to outnumber downgrades in fiscal 2026. The agency reported a slight decline in its credit ratio to 2.64 times in the second half of FY25, with 423 upgrades and 160 downgrades. While the impact of recent changes in US trade policy and reciprocal tariffs is anticipated to be low to moderate across most sectors, smartphones may be an exception. Crisil noted an increase in the reaffirmation rate to 83%, indicating greater stability in credit quality. Urban consumption, bolstered by tax cuts and easing inflation, alongside robust infrastructure spending, is expected to drive median revenue growth to approximately 8% in fiscal 2026. However, sectors linked to global markets, such as specialty chemicals and agrochemicals, remain vulnerable to external economic pressures.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heat wave conditions in Saurashtra and Kutch for two days, and in west Rajasthan for three days, as temperatures are expected to rise by 3-5°C in North-West India. Meanwhile, emerging wet weather is anticipated to bring heavy rainfall to several regions, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and coastal Karnataka, as pre-monsoon conditions intensify. A cyclonic circulation over Madhya Maharashtra is contributing to this weather pattern, drawing moisture from the Arabian Sea and leading to thunderstorms and potential hailstorms across various states. Isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecasted for Gujarat and Telangana, with similar conditions expected to persist in Odisha, Madhya Maharashtra, and other regions. The IMD has also warned of hailstorms in multiple areas, including Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, over the coming days.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Kerala Steamer Agents Association has proposed a series of measures to enhance the competitiveness of Cochin Port, aiming to boost cargo volumes and operational efficiency. President Varghese K George emphasized the importance of effective marketing strategies to attract hinterland cargo, which is crucial for increasing traffic. Recommendations include deepening the port's channel to accommodate larger vessels and investing in new equipment, such as cranes, to improve cargo handling and reduce turnaround times. The association also highlighted the need to streamline land lease policies to encourage more businesses to establish operations at the port, thereby fostering long-term partnerships. Additionally, they raised concerns over the current tariff structure, which calculates charges in dollars while payments are made in rupees, leading to significant losses. They urged for a shift to an all-rupee tariff system to align with government initiatives promoting rupee transactions.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia faces a precarious situation regarding its crude oil imports, as US President Donald Trump's threat of secondary tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil introduces significant uncertainty. Russian crude accounts for 36-38% of India's imports, primarily sourced through spot markets, with India and China collectively receiving about 80% of Russia's crude exports. As Brent crude prices rose slightly to $74.84 per barrel, Indian officials expressed concerns over potential supply shortages if tariffs are enacted, which could affect 4.6-4.8 million barrels per day. While India has diversified its crude sources, the impact of these tariffs on market dynamics, inflation, and potential recession remains unclear. Analysts suggest that unless sanctions are imposed, strong Russian crude flows to India are likely to continue, particularly in a high-demand environment. The situation is being closely monitored, with refiners adjusting strategies in response to the evolving landscape.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar production for the current season is projected to reach 259 lakh tonnes (lt), a significant 19% decrease from the 319 lt produced in the 2023-24 season, according to the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF). As of March 31, 2025, sugar output has fallen to 248.5 lt, down 18% from 302.5 lt in the same period last year, with 234 mills ceasing operations in March alone. This brings the total number of mills that have closed early this season to 420, compared to 331 last year. The average sugar recovery rate has also declined to 9.37%, down from 10.15% a year ago. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, which account for 84% of India's sugar production, have reported significant reductions in both sugarcane crushed and output. Industry experts are closely monitoring these trends as they prepare for the 2025-26 season.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has recently implemented a series of operational upgrades aimed at enhancing efficiency and service quality. Key improvements include fixed-window berthing, integrated yard management, automated weighbridges, and dynamic storage solutions. These advancements have contributed to NMPA being recognized as the second-best port in container handling, reflecting its commitment to modernizing operations and boosting logistical capabilities. The upgrades are expected to streamline processes, reduce turnaround times, and improve overall productivity at the port, positioning it as a competitive player in the region's maritime industry. This recognition underscores NMPA's ongoing efforts to adapt to the evolving demands of global trade and logistics.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 2 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump is set to unveil a new tariff plan on April 2, dubbed "Liberation Day," during his first Rose Garden press conference of his second term. Trump announced that India is significantly reducing its tariffs on American goods, expressing surprise that this had not happened sooner. He dismissed concerns that his tariffs might push countries towards China, asserting that they would ultimately benefit these nations by encouraging them to lower their own tariffs, which he claims have been unfair to the US. Trump highlighted the European Union's recent reduction of car tariffs to 2.5% as a positive example. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the full cabinet would attend the announcement, emphasizing that the plan aims to address what Trump describes as decades of unfair trade practices, particularly noting India's 100% tariff on US agricultural goods.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's economic resilience is underscored by a low external vulnerability indicator (EVI) of 61% and a manageable external debt-to-GDP ratio of 19%, with only 2% of GDP reliant on exports to the US, according to a recent Moody's report. Despite global financial instability linked to the Trump administration, Moody's predicts India will be the fastest-growing economy among advanced and emerging markets, with a growth forecast of 6.5% for FY 2026. The report highlights India's robust domestic mechanisms and substantial foreign exchange reserves as key factors attracting investor confidence. While the Indian Rupee has depreciated by 3.6% against the dollar since April, this is less severe than declines seen in other currencies. Moody's asserts that large emerging markets like India are better positioned to weather external shocks due to their domestically oriented economies and deep capital markets, providing a buffer against financial pressures.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inHuman-wildlife conflicts in Kerala's Kottayam district are increasingly threatening the farming community, particularly rubber farmers like George Joseph, who has curtailed tapping due to fears of wild elephant attacks. Over the past few years, such conflicts have led to significant crop damage, revenue loss, and even fatalities. Santosh Kumar, CEO of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd, highlighted the escalating nature of these conflicts, noting that traditional protective measures like fences are proving ineffective. In Idukki district, dairy farming has also suffered, with tiger attacks reducing cattle numbers from 7,000 to 3,000, resulting in a drop in milk production. The state government has allocated substantial compensation for losses, amounting to ₹2,179.80 lakh in 2023-24, while implementing measures such as solar fencing and elephant trenches to mitigate wildlife intrusions. The situation underscores the urgent need for more effective solutions to protect both lives and livelihoods.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inMahindra & Mahindra (M&M) reported robust sales figures for March 2025, with domestic wholesales reaching 48,048 units, an 18% increase year-on-year. For the entire financial year 2024-25, M&M achieved total sales of 551,487 units, marking a 20% rise from the previous year. The company highlighted strong demand for its SUVs, including the newly launched Electric Origin, which contributed to selling over 500,000 SUVs domestically for the first time. Kia India also saw significant growth, with March sales of 25,525 units, a 19.3% increase, and annual sales of 255,207 units, up 4% from the previous year. Meanwhile, JSW MG Motor India and Škoda Auto India reported sales of 5,500 and 7,422 units respectively in March, with Škoda achieving its highest monthly sales ever, driven by the launch of the new Kylaq model.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 12 pm
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