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Maharashtra has emerged as the leading state for passenger and commercial vehicle sales in the September quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). In total, 10.39 lakh passenger vehicles were sold nationwide, with Maharashtra accounting for 1,31,822 units, representing a 12.7% market share. Uttar Pradesh followed with 1,00,481 units, while Gujarat secured third place with 87,901 units. In the commercial vehicle segment, Maharashtra also led with 37,091 units sold, contributing to a total of 2.40 lakh units sold across India. Uttar Pradesh excelled in the two-wheeler category, selling 6,92,869 units, while Maharashtra ranked second with 6,29,131 units. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh topped the three-wheeler sales with 28,246 units, with Maharashtra in fourth place at 21,100 units. Overall, the western zone dominated vehicle sales during this period. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 2 pmeznews.inUnion Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal announced on Tuesday that positive developments regarding the proposed trade pact between India and the US are forthcoming, contingent on the agreement being fair, equitable, and balanced. Speaking at the Indo-US Economic Summit organized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Goyal emphasized India's commitment to safeguarding the interests of farmers, fishermen, and small industries during the negotiation process. He noted that the ongoing discussions, which began in March, have already seen six rounds of negotiations. Goyal reassured stakeholders that once the deal aligns with these principles, "you will hear good news." The minister's remarks highlight India's cautious approach to international trade agreements, ensuring that domestic interests are prioritized in the pursuit of economic collaboration with the United States. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 3 pmeznews.inUnion Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, announced on Tuesday that the Indian government has approved the export of 15 lakh tonnes of sugar for the 2025-26 marketing year, which begins in October. This decision follows a stable pricing period after the previous export of 10 lakh tonnes. The minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar has remained at ₹31 per kg since February 2019, but the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) is advocating for an increase to ₹40 per kg due to rising production costs, particularly as the fair and remunerative price (FRP) of sugarcane has surged by 29% to ₹355 per quintal. ISMA has projected a gross sugar production of 343.5 lakh tonnes for 2025-26, up from 296 lakh tonnes the previous year, and is urging the government to establish a linkage mechanism between FRP and MSP to ensure timely payments to farmers. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Coffee Board of India, led by chairman M J Dinesh, has announced an ambitious plan to double the country's coffee production to over 700,000 tonnes by 2047, coinciding with the centenary of India's independence. This initiative includes expanding cultivation to 100,000 hectares in non-traditional regions such as Odisha and the North East, while enhancing yields in established areas. Dinesh highlighted the introduction of clonal propagation of Robusta coffee and the release of three new coffee varieties by the Central Coffee Research Institute. Additionally, the board is developing the Indian Coffee Board Sustainability Certification Scheme (INDICOFS) and has launched the IndiaCoffee App to assist growers in meeting global traceability standards. Industry leaders emphasized the need for proactive research to combat climate change and urged the establishment of a dedicated plantation directorate to address sector challenges effectively. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian stock market experienced slight declines on November 18, 2025, with the SENSEX closing at 84,920.39, down by 30.56 points, and the NIFTY at 25,988.70, down by 24.75 points. Meanwhile, crude oil prices fell by 28.00 to 5,292.00, while gold and silver saw significant drops, closing at 121,880.00 and 153,329.00, down by 1,047.00 and 1,983.00 respectively. In economic forecasts, rating agency ICRA projected a moderation in GDP growth to 7% for the July-September quarter of FY2025-26, down from 7.8% in the previous quarter, citing reduced government spending. Despite anticipated slowdowns in the services and agriculture sectors, ICRA noted that strong industrial performance, driven by manufacturing and construction, would support economic activity. Official GDP growth data is expected from the National Statistics Office on November 28. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's retail inflation fell to a historic low of 0.25% in October, primarily due to a significant drop in food prices and tax reductions on consumer goods, paving the way for a potential interest rate cut in December. Concurrently, corporate earnings are experiencing their strongest recovery in over a year, with a 16.6% profit growth for BSE500 companies in the September quarter, up from 10.7% in June. Key sectors driving this growth include oil, telecom, metals, and technology, while the auto sector faced challenges. The Nifty 50 index is trading just 1% below its record high, buoyed by improved earnings visibility and stable valuations. Early festive-season data indicates a rise in discretionary spending, contributing to a broader rebound in consumption. Analysts predict accelerated double-digit growth in the second half of fiscal year 2026 and into 2027, supported by cooling inflation and robust tax collections. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's oilmeal exports to China surged during the first seven months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, reaching 5.88 lakh tonnes, primarily driven by a significant increase in rapeseed meal shipments. According to the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), total oilmeal exports rose by 3.18% to 24.64 lakh tonnes compared to the same period last year. Notably, rapeseed meal exports to China climbed to 5.81 lakh tonnes, contributing to an overall increase in rapeseed meal exports to 12.52 lakh tonnes. The government also lifted a ban on de-oiled rice bran exports, facilitating shipments to Vietnam and Nepal. However, exports of soybean and castorseed meals saw a decline. Major importers included South Korea and Bangladesh, with significant quantities of rapeseed and soybean meals. The expansion of groundnut cultivation has further supported the export of groundnut meal, despite a slight decrease in overall groundnut acreage. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe APEC Climate Center and Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) have indicated that the La Niña weather pattern is likely to develop soon, despite the current inactivity of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). As of November 9, the Niño 3.4 sea surface temperature index was at -0.84°C, suggesting a shift towards La Niña, with atmospheric indicators such as trade winds and cloud patterns also reflecting this trend. However, BoM's models predict that any La Niña conditions may only persist until January before returning to neutral by February, amid considerable uncertainty. Additionally, the negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is expected to ease by December. The APCC's outlook forecasts above-normal temperatures across most regions, with mixed rainfall signals; wetter conditions are anticipated in the Arctic and western Pacific, while drier weather is expected in the tropical Atlantic and parts of East Asia. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's goods trade deficit surged to a record $42 billion in October, up from $32 billion in September, raising alarm among analysts. Nuvama Research emphasized the need to monitor rising gold imports, which skyrocketed by 199% year-on-year to $14.7 billion, significantly contributing to the trade deficit. The gold deficit alone tripled over the past three months, reaching $17 billion, while the oil deficit also increased by $2 billion to $11 billion. Exports, however, contracted sharply by 11.8% year-on-year, reflecting a broader global slowdown, with notable declines in China's and Korea's exports. Despite stable overall imports at 16.6% year-on-year, core imports (excluding oil and gold) eased to 7%. Analysts warn that the trajectory of gold imports will be critical in assessing India's trade deficit, particularly as global trade shows early signs of deceleration. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia is poised to benefit from the US decision to roll back reciprocal tariffs on certain agricultural products, including tea, coffee, and spices, according to the Commerce Ministry. A White House Executive Order issued on November 12 exempts these items, along with tropical fruits and certain fertilizers, from the tariff regime that began on April 2, with the changes taking effect on November 13. This move is expected to create a level playing field for Indian exporters, who currently export these goods worth over $1 billion annually. However, think tank GTRI cautioned that the overall gains for India may be limited, as the country has minimal presence in several exempted categories like tomatoes and citrus fruits. GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava noted that while India's competitive position in spices may improve, major benefits will likely favor larger agricultural exporters from Latin America, Africa, and ASEAN unless India enhances its export capabilities. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 10 am
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