eznews.inIndia's tea exporters are poised to benefit from zero-duty access to the US market under a new interim trade agreement, which could enhance their competitive edge over China. Currently, the US accounts for 5-7% of India's tea exports by volume and 8% by value, primarily in iced and ready-to-drink tea segments. The previous imposition of a 50% tariff had led to order cancellations and forced exporters to offer discounts, significantly impacting shipments. Indian Tea Exporters Association Chairman Anshuman Kanoria noted that the market potential is around 18-20 million kilograms, a figure that could be regained with the new duty advantage. Industry leaders, including Dipak Shah of the South India Tea Exporters Association, expressed optimism that the zero tariffs would help recover lost ground and strengthen long-term partnerships. The agreement is seen as a crucial step for the Indian plantation sector, potentially boosting incomes across the value chain. 
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inGodrej Agrovet Ltd has introduced a new insecticide, TAKAI, designed to combat pests such as the stem borer and leaf folder, which pose significant threats to paddy crops. The company is also seeking approval to extend its use to other crops, including maize, chilli, cabbage, soyabean, chickpea, and sugarcane. According to a company statement, stem borer infestations can lead to yield losses of 30-40% during severe outbreaks, while leaf folder attacks can result in 20-30% losses, particularly during the early and mid-growth stages when detection is difficult. Sunil Kataria, Managing Director and CEO of Godrej Agrovet, emphasized the importance of effective pest management for Indian rice farmers, stating that TAKAI aims to provide a reliable solution for quick and long-lasting pest control, thereby safeguarding crop yields.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers’ Association (IMMA) held the National Crop Nutrition Summit, advocating for a "One Nation, One License" initiative to streamline agricultural licensing through a centralised data system accessible by state governments. IMMA President Rahul Mirchandani emphasized that this approach would eliminate regulatory hurdles and enhance business operations for agri-input manufacturers. The summit also saw a partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to foster innovation in crop nutrition. Agriculture Commissioner PK Singh highlighted the importance of balanced nutrition and integrated nutrient management for sustainable agricultural growth. Maharashtra Minister Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal underscored the role of the micro-fertilizer industry in boosting India's food production. The event recognized outstanding farmers for their crop-specific innovations and featured the 'IMMA Pitch Party,' showcasing 16 new agri-input products aimed at enhancing market access and collaboration within the industry.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has emphasized the significant opportunities presented by the newly established India-US Interim Trade Framework, which aims to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion over five years. In an interview, Goyal highlighted the competitive advantage Indian exports will gain from reduced US tariffs on labor-intensive sectors, which are set to decrease from 25% to 18%. He reassured that sensitive agricultural sectors remain protected, despite some market access for American dried distillers' grains and soybean oil. Goyal also addressed concerns regarding potential reinstatement of tariffs if India imports Russian oil, stating that trade agreements allow for rebalancing concessions. He expressed optimism about India's growing demand for energy and technology, projecting substantial imports from the US, particularly in aviation and tech sectors, as part of a strategy to diversify sources and enhance quality and pricing.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIn the 2024-25 fiscal year, India imported 34,303 tonnes of fresh apples from the United States, valued at $33.69 million, a significant increase from 20,541 tonnes worth $21.33 million in 2023-24. The Indian government is expected to set a maximum import volume of 100,000 tonnes per year at a concessional duty of 25%, which may impact imports from countries like Iran and Egypt while maintaining overall apple imports at 550,000 tonnes. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that the interests of domestic apple growers are protected through a minimum import price (MIP) of ₹80/kg. However, concerns have been raised by apple growers in Kashmir, who argue that lower tariffs threaten their livelihoods, as the region's apple industry supports over 700,000 families. They have urged Prime Minister Modi to impose higher tariffs on imported apples to safeguard local production.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a special audit of non-scheduled operators following the tragic crash of a Learjet 45 near Baramati Airport in Pune on January 28, which claimed the lives of six individuals, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The audit, set to unfold in two phases, will assess the operational and safety standards of 14 operators, including charter companies and corporate fleets. Teams comprising experts from air safety, airworthiness, and flight operations will submit their findings within ten days of completing their inspections. Concurrently, the DGCA is developing guidelines for uncontrolled airfields, like Baramati, which lack regular air traffic control and oversight. Concerns have been raised regarding questionable maintenance practices among some operators, including understating flight hours to circumvent maintenance requirements, prompting increased scrutiny of charter operations in India.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pmeznews.inUnion Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reaffirmed the Indian government's commitment to railway development in Tamil Nadu, highlighting an increase in budget allocation from ₹890 crore in 2014 to ₹7,611 crore for 2026-27. However, he noted that progress on key projects is hindered by land acquisition issues, with only 24% of the necessary land secured despite the Centre disbursing ₹1,465 crore for this purpose. Vaishnaw responded to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clarifying that funding is not the issue, but rather the lack of cooperation from the state government in facilitating land acquisition. He cited specific projects, such as the Madurai–Tuticorin and Tindivanam–Gingee lines, where land acquisition remains significantly incomplete. Despite these challenges, the Centre has sanctioned multiple new lines and expansions, emphasizing the need for timely state support to enhance infrastructure growth in Tamil Nadu.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's seafood exports to the United States are projected to rebound significantly, with a value of $2.78 billion anticipated for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Following a recent trade deal that reduced tariffs to 18%, officials from the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) expect a swift recovery in export volumes, which had previously declined by 6.3% in value and nearly 15% in quantity due to elevated duties. The US remains India's largest seafood market, and the new tariff structure offers a competitive edge against other exporting nations, such as Ecuador and Vietnam. SEAI Secretary-General KN Raghavan noted that this level playing field could enhance profitability and capacity utilization across the industry. The agreement, which follows India's trade pact with the European Union, signals a strengthening of India's integration into global trade networks, fostering growth opportunities for the country's animal protein exports.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe cotton textile industry in India is optimistic about the potential benefits of the Indo-US trade deal, particularly regarding the import of lower-cost cotton to meet a projected surge in demand. Industry leaders anticipate that the government may adopt an Australian-style import formula or reduce duties on US cotton by 50%. With domestic cotton production stagnating and prices exceeding global rates, experts emphasize the need for high-quality imports, especially as the recent free trade agreement with the EU is expected to double cotton demand. While the specifics of import regulations remain unclear, stakeholders suggest that duty-free imports could enhance domestic yarn consumption, which currently stands at only 65%. The landed cost of imported cotton is significantly lower than domestic prices, potentially improving profit margins for textile manufacturers. Overall, the industry is hopeful that these developments will foster growth and sustainability in the sector.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndian coffee exports to the US are set to benefit significantly from a recent trade deal that reinstates zero duty on shipments, reversing a previous 25% reciprocal duty imposed last year. This change is expected to boost the demand for both specialty and instant coffees, with trade sources indicating a rebound in shipments following a decline due to the higher duty. In 2025, the US was the tenth largest market for Indian coffee, with exports totaling 10,736 tonnes, primarily consisting of instant coffee. Industry leaders, including Kurma Rao M, CEO of the Coffee Board of India, expressed optimism about the positive impact on the sector. India's coffee exports surpassed $2 billion in 2025, and for the current financial year, shipments are projected to exceed last year's $1.8 billion, with February figures already reaching $1.7 billion.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pm
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