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The US Department of Agriculture has reported that US soybean oil prices have maintained a premium despite recent price fluctuations linked to the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO). So far this year, soybean oil prices have surged over 30%, outperforming metals like gold and copper, largely driven by the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volume targets for 2026 and 2027. In contrast, soybean meal prices have dropped nearly 14% since January 2025. The EPA's proposal includes higher targets for biomass-based diesel, which is expected to increase soybean oil usage by around 250 million gallons annually. Recent legislative changes, such as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," will restrict clean fuel production credits to feedstocks sourced from the US, Mexico, or Canada. Analysts predict that while soybean oil prices may rise, soybean meal could face downward pressure due to reduced demand from China and ongoing trade tensions. 
Published: Jul 07 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia has the potential to more than double its maize production to 86 million tonnes by 2047, up from the current 42.3 million tonnes, according to Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Speaking at the 11th maize summit organized by FICCI, he emphasized the need for developing high-yielding seed varieties with increased starch content, while maintaining a non-GMO approach. Currently, India's average maize productivity is 3.7 tonnes per hectare, with states like West Bengal and Bihar outperforming the national average. Chouhan highlighted the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's development of 265 maize varieties but stressed the need for further innovation. He also urged states like Punjab and Haryana to diversify from paddy to maize cultivation. Addressing concerns over rising maize feed prices, he assured poultry industry representatives that farmers would benefit from higher prices, while calling for stricter regulations against substandard agricultural inputs.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 1 pmeznews.inCochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), India's largest state-owned shipbuilder, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea's HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) to enhance their global presence and bolster India's shipbuilding capabilities. This strategic partnership will focus on ship design support, equipment supply, technical collaboration, and workforce training. Based in Kerala, CSL has delivered 70 vessels over the past five years, including merchant ships and aircraft carriers. The collaboration aims to improve CSL's competitiveness and productivity while creating opportunities for vessel orders domestically and internationally. An HD KSOE official emphasized the importance of this partnership in strengthening their influence in India's burgeoning market. This initiative aligns with India's maritime policies, including the Maritime India Vision 2030, and follows the announcement of a ₹250 billion (USD 2.92 billion) Maritime Development Fund to enhance port infrastructure and shipbuilding.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn Karnataka, maize has emerged as the standout crop this kharif season, with acreage increasing by 14.6% to reach 13.98 lakh hectares (lh), significantly surpassing last year's 12.20 lh and 68% above the normal for this period. Overall, 50.57 lh has been sown across various kharif crops, accounting for 61% of the targeted 82.50 lh, aided by a 4% surplus in rainfall. However, the area under pulses has declined by 13%, with tur sowing down 21% to 9.88 lh, despite being 47% above the normal. Farmers are shifting towards more profitable crops like maize and cotton, which has seen its acreage rise to 6.11 lh. Oilseed sowing is also lagging behind last year, with groundnut and soybean areas down, while sugarcane and tobacco have seen slight increases. The trends reflect changing agricultural priorities amid fluctuating market conditions.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAgri-fintech start-up Dvara E-Registry has launched a new micro loan product aimed at providing secured, asset-backed credit to small and marginal farmers across India. The Micro Loan Against Property (Micro LAP) initiative allows participants in the agricultural value chain to leverage their immovable assets for credit, facilitating enterprise growth and livelihood stability. This launch coincides with Dvara E-Registry surpassing ₹150 crore in cumulative disbursements, having supported over 33,000 farm loans across five states and more than 3,000 villages in collaboration with over 250 farmer producer organisations (FPOs). Co-Founder and CEO Syed Tarique Alam emphasized the importance of offering tailored financial solutions to underserved farmers. The company employs innovative technologies, including an AI-powered credit scoring engine, to enhance lending decisions and improve the efficiency of the agricultural ecosystem, connecting farmers with markets and financial institutions.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn June 2025, passenger vehicle (PV) sales in India rose by 2.45% to 297,722 units, compared to 290,593 units in the same month last year, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Despite this growth, the industry faces challenges, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain issues, and difficulties in securing rare-earth materials, which have impacted production. FADA President CS Vigneshwar noted that dealer sentiment is leaning towards a slowdown, with more dealers expecting flat or declining sales than growth. While two-wheeler (2W) sales increased by 5% to 1,446,387 units, and three-wheeler (3W) and commercial vehicle (CV) sales also saw gains, concerns over inventory management and market conditions persist. Overall, the total vehicle sales across all categories grew by approximately 5% to 2,003,873 units, reflecting a mixed outlook for the industry amid seasonal and economic pressures.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 10 ameznews.inIn an interview with _businessline_, CII President Rajiv Memani emphasized the importance of policy stability in India's economic growth, highlighting the country's resilience amid global challenges. He noted that macroeconomic indicators, such as low interest rates and controlled inflation at 2.8%, reflect a robust economic environment conducive to business growth. Memani advocated for careful negotiation of trade agreements, particularly with the US, while cautioning against non-tariff barriers that could undermine benefits from reduced tariffs. He also discussed the need for reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, suggesting that streamlining audits and addressing input tax credit issues could enhance efficiency for businesses. Looking ahead, Memani identified three critical reforms: expediting land acquisition and environmental clearances, creating platforms for inter-ministerial collaboration, and establishing a sovereign wealth fund to support MSMEs and address supply chain vulnerabilities.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 9 ameznews.inA report by Jefferies forecasts a slowdown in India's corporate revenue growth in FY26, attributing this trend to a decline in nominal GDP growth, which is projected to ease to 9%, the second-lowest rate since FY04, excluding the pandemic-affected FY21. While real GDP growth is expected to remain stable at 6.5%, lower inflation is dampening nominal growth. Jefferies warns that this softer nominal GDP could adversely impact corporate revenues and credit growth, with bank credit likely to remain capped at 11-12% by March 2026. The report highlights that the anticipated 9% nominal GDP growth would mark a significant drop from the historical average of 12.6% since FY04, suggesting a challenging environment for business expansion and financial sector momentum. This decline in nominal growth could signal a period of reduced earnings and limited credit availability, raising concerns for the broader economy.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Kerala government is taking steps to ensure adequate coconut oil supply during the upcoming Onam festival, with annual consumption in the state estimated at three lakh tonnes. State Agriculture Minister P Prasad highlighted challenges posed by rising copra prices and shortages, prompting the government to procure more raw coconuts for copra production through Kerafed, the cooperative federation of coconut farmers. Primary societies have been instructed to buy coconuts at ₹1 above the Coconut Development Board's fixed price, while tenders will be issued for an additional 500 tonnes from the open market. The state is also relying on Tamil Nadu for copra, but heavy rains have affected quality. With retail prices of coconut oil reaching ₹450, demand has declined, raising concerns among traders. However, a drop in prices is anticipated as fresh stocks arrive from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) is advocating for reforms in the medical examination process for commercial pilot licence (CPL) holders, which currently mandates assessments at Indian Air Force (IAF) centres. An online petition highlights inefficiencies, long wait times, and travel costs associated with these military facilities, which are not accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) or the National Accreditation Board of Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). ALPA argues that in major countries, such examinations are conducted by civil doctors, and they are calling for a shift to this model in India. The association also emphasizes the need for third-party audits of all medical examination centres to ensure fairness and accuracy. With a projected demand for 65,000 flight crew in the next decade, industry experts warn that current medical standards could hinder pilot availability, urging immediate policy changes.
Published: Jul 06 2025, 7 pm
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