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Mexico's decision to raise import tariffs on over 1,400 items from non-free trade agreement countries, including India, is set to significantly impact nearly three-quarters of India's $5.75 billion exports to the nation starting in 2026. Tariffs will increase to between 25-35% for most products, with some items facing hikes of up to 50%. The automotive sector, India's largest export segment to Mexico, will be particularly hard hit, with passenger vehicle tariffs rising from 20% to 35%, and auto components facing similar increases. Additionally, steel exports will suffer the most, with tariffs soaring to 50%. Labour-intensive sectors like textiles and ceramics will also see tariffs rise, threatening small and medium-sized enterprises. This move aligns with Mexico's shift towards protectionist policies, mirroring recent US trade strategies, and is expected to diminish India's price competitiveness across various industrial goods, including machinery, aluminium, and smartphones. 
Published: Dec 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inSohan Lal Commodity Management (SLCM), a leading post-harvest logistics and agri-solutions firm in India, has been awarded the Excellence in Agri-Warehousing Award by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at the 12th Supply Chain and Logistics Excellence (SCALE) Awards. This accolade recognizes SLCM's innovative post-harvest management platform, which combines scientific warehousing, AI-driven quality testing, and real-time monitoring, significantly reducing post-harvest losses while enhancing transparency and efficiency. Group CEO Sandeep Sabharwal highlighted the transformative impact of SLCM’s flagship solutions, Agri Reach and Agri Suraksha, in redefining trust within the agriculture value chain. The jury praised the scalability and precision of SLCM’s patented Agri Reach application, which integrates a comprehensive Warehouse Management System with AI-enabled quality control. This marks the fifth time SLCM has received a CII SCALE Award, having previously won in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2024.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Union Cabinet approved the 'CoalSETU' initiative on Friday, December 12, 2025, aimed at auctioning coal linkages for various industrial applications and exports. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that this policy will facilitate long-term coal allocation through an auction system, allowing any domestic buyer to participate regardless of their intended use. However, coking coal will be excluded from this auction window. Vaishnaw emphasized that India's coal production has reached a level that enables the country to explore export opportunities, with linkage holders permitted to export up to 50% of their allocated quantity. The government is now prioritizing the promotion of coal exports, while also allowing flexibility in fuel utilization among affiliated companies. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the efficiency and transparency of coal distribution in the non-regulated sector.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's red chilli crop for the 2025-26 season is expected to decline due to reduced acreage, excessive rainfall, and pest issues, as farmers pivot to other crops like maize and cotton. Currently, the crop is in the flowering and fruit-setting stages in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with initial arrivals noted in Karnataka. Velagapudi Sambasiva Rao, President of the Chilli Exporters Association, indicated that while sowing has occurred on about 70% of the area, a clearer assessment of the crop size will emerge in January. The overall chilli production is projected to fall to 11.4 lakh tonnes from 14.1 lakh tonnes last year. Despite these challenges, higher carry-forward stocks—approximately 55 lakh bags in Andhra Pradesh, 36 lakh in Telangana, and 45 lakh in Karnataka—are expected to stabilize prices, which have already risen for Byadgi varieties, now fetching ₹40,000-45,000 per quintal.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inHeadline inflation in India rose to 0.71% in November 2025, up from a multi-year low of 0.3% in October, primarily driven by increased prices for vegetables, eggs, meat, fish, spices, fuel, and light, according to government data. This marks the second consecutive month of inflation below 1%, with core inflation slightly decreasing to 4.2%. Economists suggest that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may consider a 25 basis point cut in the repo rate, although the rate-cutting cycle is nearing its end. Analysts from Kotak Mahindra Bank and Elara Capital anticipate that inflation will remain below the RBI's target of 4% in the coming months, providing room for potential rate cuts. However, uncertainties surrounding trade negotiations with the US could impact growth and monetary policy decisions, with Barclays predicting a pause in rate adjustments if tariffs remain high.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inKJ Patel, Managing Director of IFFCO, announced that the cooperative is awaiting approval for its new granular nano-complex NPK fertiliser, applied for in October, as the Agriculture Ministry deliberates on whether to grant temporary or permanent licensing under the Fertiliser Control Order. Despite the challenges of introducing this new technology to hesitant farmers, IFFCO has invested ₹2,000 crore in research and manufacturing, aiming to produce 29 crore bottles of nano-fertilisers annually. Patel expressed optimism that sales would increase as awareness grows, projecting a return to 3.5 crore bottles in FY26. The nano-complex, designed to be more efficient than conventional fertilisers, could significantly reduce consumption and import dependency. IFFCO, which pioneered nano-fertiliser technology in India, has also begun exporting to over 25 countries and is establishing a plant in Brazil. The cooperative's outreach efforts are set to intensify to alleviate farmers' concerns about the new products.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inSweden's Ambassador to India, Jan Thesleff, has hailed the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) as a transformative initiative that promises to enhance predictability amid global trade uncertainties. Thesleff outlined Sweden's ambitious plans to double its presence in India over the next five years, aiming to increase the number of Swedish companies from 300 to 600, alongside doubling trade, investments, student exchanges, and scientific collaborations. He emphasized that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would be the primary beneficiaries of the FTA, as they are crucial for job creation and innovation. With India facing rising tariffs from the US and Mexico, the FTA is seen as a vital opportunity for SMEs to thrive in a challenging market. Ongoing discussions between Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič aim to expedite the agreement, with hopes of finalizing it early next year.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Union Cabinet, led by Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, has approved the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, which will allow 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector, a significant reform expected to be introduced in Parliament next week. This move aims to enhance the growth and accessibility of insurance services in India, aligning with the FY26 Budget announcement to raise the FDI limit from 74% to 100% for companies investing premiums entirely in India. Alongside the Insurance Bill, the Cabinet also approved three other legislative measures, including renaming the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and permitting private sector participation in nuclear energy. The amendments are designed to streamline regulatory processes and foster innovation, with the goal of achieving "Insurance for All by 2047." Experts view this as a pivotal moment for the Indian insurance landscape, potentially attracting substantial foreign investment and improving service quality for citizens.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 6 pmeznews.inSagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd has been granted 29.58 acres at the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour in Andhra Pradesh to establish the world’s first autonomous maritime shipyard and systems centre. This initiative, approved by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, aims to bolster India's indigenous capabilities in maritime technology, enhancing both surface and subsurface platforms. Founded in 2015, Sagar Defence specializes in unmanned systems across various domains, striving to create a "Digital Ocean" through real-time data integration. The new centre is expected to significantly impact defence readiness, commercial shipping efficiency, and environmental performance while fostering a future-ready maritime workforce. It will feature a dedicated Maritime Test Centre to facilitate research and development, ultimately transforming ship design and operations. This pioneering facility is set to accelerate innovation and establish new international standards in autonomous maritime technology, contributing to sectors like logistics, fisheries, and disaster response.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has announced a five-year extension of its Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) scheme, originally launched in February 2020, to address operational challenges and enhance support for the 10,000 FPOs formed to date. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi highlighted the need for ongoing assistance, particularly for newly established FPOs, to improve capacity building and access to capital. He noted that while these FPOs have achieved a cumulative turnover of ₹9,000 crore, compliance with the Companies Act remains a significant hurdle, prompting a request for relaxed penalties during their formative years. Chaturvedi emphasized the potential of FPOs to facilitate bulk purchasing and value-added sales, thereby benefiting farmers. Additionally, APEDA Secretary Sudhanshu outlined efforts to strengthen FPOs for better market access, citing successful agricultural exports as examples of the initiative's impact. The government aims to ensure that FPOs effectively contribute to India's agricultural landscape while differentiating between genuine and nominal organisations.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 6 pm
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