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The Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) has raised alarms over a significant rise in paper and paperboard imports from ASEAN countries, which surged by 14% in the first half of FY26, reaching 2.07 lakh tonnes. This influx, driven by countries like Indonesia and China, now constitutes over 20% of India's total imports, undermining the domestic industry that has invested over ₹30,000 crore in modernization and sustainable practices. IPMA President Pawan Agarwal highlighted that while Indian mills rely on higher-cost agroforestry, foreign competitors benefit from subsidies and lower production costs. The situation is exacerbated by trade agreements that offer minimal import duties, allowing foreign products to flood the market. Agarwal urged the government to invoke a termination clause in the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement and consider withdrawing from the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement to protect local manufacturers, particularly MSMEs, from the adverse effects of these imports. 
Published: Nov 24 2025, 5 pmeznews.inUnion Minister Nitin Gadkari urged orange farmers in Vidarbha to unite and establish large-scale Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to enhance the processing, branding, and marketing of orange-based products, during the Agrovision agricultural event in Nagpur. He highlighted the need for a comprehensive data bank of orange farmers to facilitate collaboration and emphasized the importance of producing value-added products like juice and cosmetics to boost the region's economy. Gadkari noted that Nagpur oranges are renowned for their quality and called for a shift from raw production to value addition, advocating for improved yields and sustainable practices. He also encouraged the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture, sharing his own experiences with AI on his farm. Additionally, the Agrovision Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Agriculture Development Trust to promote AI-driven agricultural practices.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 5 pmeznews.inMahindra Group's logistics arm, Mahindra Logistics Ltd (MLL), has launched an all-women operated warehousing facility in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, in partnership with L’Oreal India. This facility aims to enhance distribution across central India, facilitating the movement of goods to key markets such as Jabalpur, Bhopal, and Sagar. MLL emphasized that the women-operated unit will improve regional outreach through quicker replenishment cycles and reduced transit times, aligning with L’Oreal's commitment to inclusion and diversity. Hemant Sikka, MLL's Managing Director & CEO, highlighted that inclusive teams foster better performance and innovation. The facility will manage a diverse product line using MLL's advanced warehouse management system, ensuring seamless integration with L’Oreal’s distribution needs. Arun Saravanakumar, L’Oreal India's Supply Chain Director, noted that this initiative reflects their dedication to gender parity and creating equal opportunities for women in the workplace.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's finished steel imports fell by 34.1% year-on-year during the first seven months of the financial year, totaling 3.8 million metric tons, according to provisional government data. South Korea emerged as the largest exporter, supplying 1.4 million metric tons, followed by China, Japan, and Russia. The report highlighted that domestic steel prices are under pressure due to weak demand and high supply, compounded by subdued trading activity amid the ongoing festival season. In contrast, India exported 3.5 million metric tons of finished steel during the same period, marking a 25.3% increase year-on-year, with Italy and Belgium being the primary markets. India's finished steel production reached 91.6 million metric tons, while crude steel production was at 95.7 million metric tons, with consumption of finished steel rising by 7.4% to 92.2 million metric tons.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inFrench agri-trading giant Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has emerged as the second-largest exporter of pulses to India since launching its dedicated global pulses unit in September 2024, according to CEO Sumeet Mittal. With a history spanning 170 years and operations in over 100 countries, LDC is now among the top three global merchants of pulses, focusing on chickpeas, yellow peas, and lentils. The company is exploring the establishment of processing mills in India to enhance its value chain involvement. Mittal noted that the Indian government's recent 30% import duty on yellow peas has increased market visibility, while the demand for plant-based protein continues to rise. Additionally, LDC is expanding its initiatives in sustainable agriculture, including its "Jagruti" cotton project, which has grown to support 26,000 farmers, and is working on sustainable coffee production and water management projects in Gujarat.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a notable update from the Indian agricultural sector, the government has reported an increase in rabi crop sowing, with wheat planted across 66.23 lakh hectares as of November 17, 2025, compared to 56.55 lakh hectares during the same period last year. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi attributed this growth to favorable rainfall, although some delays were noted due to late harvesting. Overall, the total area sown for all rabi crops has risen to 208.19 lakh hectares, up from 188.73 lakh hectares in the previous year. Additionally, the acreage for pulses and oilseeds has also seen increases, with pulses now at 52.82 lakh hectares and oilseeds at 15.53 lakh hectares. The government remains optimistic that total coverage for rabi crops will surpass last year's figure of 655.88 lakh hectares, reflecting a positive trend in agricultural productivity.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAgriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi has urged hotels and restaurants to source produce directly from farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) to enhance farmers' earnings by cutting out middlemen. Speaking at an event hosted by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India, Chaturvedi emphasized the potential for partnerships with local farming communities to provide authentic food experiences, particularly highlighting the promotion of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products. With around 35,000 FPOs in India, the ministry plans to launch a web platform for businesses to procure surplus produce directly from these organisations. Chaturvedi noted the agriculture sector's significant contribution to India's GDP and the challenges of fragmented landholdings and price disparities. He also pointed to the rising demand for organic food, suggesting that hotels could collaborate with farmer clusters for certified organic sourcing. The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India plans to publish a booklet to facilitate these connections.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's marine sector exports surged by 16.18% to $4.87 billion during the April-October period of the current fiscal year, driven by robust demand in non-US markets such as China, Vietnam, Russia, Canada, and the UK, according to commerce ministry data. Exports to the US, traditionally India's largest shrimp market, fell by 7.43% to $85.47 million due to a 50% tariff on Indian marine products. However, this decline was offset by significant increases in shipments to other countries, with exports of shrimp and prawn to China and Vietnam rising by 24.54% and 123.63%, respectively. Notable growth was also seen in exports to Belgium, Japan, Russia, Canada, and the UK, reflecting a diversification in trade patterns and a shift in global sourcing trends. The overall increase is largely attributed to the strong performance of shrimp and prawn, which saw a 17.43% rise in exports, reaching $3.10 billion.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia and Canada are set to resume negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) that were halted in September 2023 amid rising tensions over pro-Khalistani activities. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that recent discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, including at the G20 Summit, have paved the way for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) aimed at doubling trade by 2030. Goyal emphasized key focus areas such as critical minerals, clean energy, aerospace, and defense capabilities, alongside opportunities in nuclear technology and AI. The announcement follows the 7th India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment, which aimed to restore business relations after a diplomatic standoff triggered by accusations against Indian officials regarding the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. Goyal expressed optimism about enhancing business contacts and delegations between the two nations.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 2 pmeznews.inGlobal companies are increasingly eyeing India for expansion while planning to scale back their operations in the US, according to a Gartner study. The research revealed that 14% of CEOs are looking to enter the Indian market, while 30% aim to reduce their US presence, citing negative impacts of US policies on supply chain strategies. David Furlonger, a VP Analyst at Gartner, noted that CEOs are seeking geographic rebalancing to mitigate supply chain disruptions and tap into new markets. Greyhound Research highlighted that India is becoming the primary growth vector, with significant investments earmarked for data centres and logistics, as Indian Global Capability Centres take on core functions previously based in the US. Analysts attribute India's appeal to its size, growth potential, youthful population, and digital readiness, while geopolitical alignment between the US and India enhances the attractiveness of long-term investments. However, experts assert that companies will not completely exit the US market, given its status as the world's largest economy.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 2 pm
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