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A new 40 per cent trans-shipment tariff announced by US President Donald Trump is set to create significant compliance challenges for companies in India and the ASEAN region, particularly affecting sectors such as machinery, electrical equipment, and semiconductors, according to Moody's Ratings. The tariff targets goods believed to be transshipped through third countries to circumvent existing tariffs, primarily impacting products originating from China. Moody's report highlights the ambiguity surrounding the definition of trans-shipment, which could lead to varying interpretations by the US administration. A narrow interpretation may limit economic repercussions, while a broader one could severely disrupt the Asia-Pacific supply chain. The tariff will necessitate increased due diligence and certification for exporters to demonstrate "substantial transformation" of goods to avoid penalties. Trans-shipment, a common logistical practice, can enhance supply chain efficiency but may also be exploited to evade tariffs amid ongoing US-China trade tensions. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Karnataka Milk Federation, operating under the Nandini brand, has reported a remarkable turnover of Rs 46 crore during the 2025 festive season, with sales reaching 1,100 metric tonnes, a significant increase from 715 metric tonnes last year. This growth is attributed to the brand's strategic expansion into the Delhi-NCR market, where it currently sells 1 lakh litres of milk daily. Nandini's products are now widely available across several states, including Maharashtra, Goa, Assam, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. Additionally, the brand has diversified its offerings by launching a new range of sugar-free sweets, which have reportedly performed well during the festive period, according to K. Venkatesh, the Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture. The developments highlight Nandini's successful growth trajectory and commitment to catering to evolving consumer preferences. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inCochin Shipyard Ltd is planning a significant investment of approximately ₹3,000 crore to establish a Block Fabrication Facility (BFF) in Vallarpadam, Kochi, aimed at producing one lakh tonnes of steel blocks essential for ship construction. The facility, part of a brownfield expansion, is expected to be operational within 40 months, pending necessary approvals. These pre-outfitted and finished steel blocks will be transported to a new dry dock at Cochin Shipyard, facilitating faster shipbuilding processes. Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S. Nair noted that discussions are ongoing with various ship owners for new orders, following the signing of contracts for six LNG-fueled vessels with CMA CGM. The upcoming India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai will highlight government funding initiatives aimed at positioning India among the top ten shipbuilding nations by 2030 and the top five by 2047. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a recent auction in Coonoor, Kerala, active participation from blenders and packeteers led to a notable increase in the prices of CTC leaf tea, with sales reaching 91% of the offered quantity of 1,279,981 kg. The dust grades also performed well, achieving a 78% sales rate from 460,782 kg. Traders anticipate further price improvements due to high-quality brews and strong demand from both export and domestic buyers, although concerns linger over rainfall affecting future production. While high-priced CTC teas saw a decline of ₹2 to ₹3, some quality lots experienced price increases. In the orthodox tea segment, primary whole leaf grades gained ₹3 to ₹4, while brokens rose by ₹2 to ₹3. Conversely, prices for high-priced CTC dust and primary orthodox dust grades fell significantly, with reductions of up to ₹12 noted in some cases. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAVPL International's drone Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) in Sisai, Hisar, has received official approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The facility boasts ten dedicated flying zones, providing practical training in drone operation and maintenance, in line with national safety and training standards. The RPTO aims to equip young individuals with essential drone skills applicable in various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, security, and environmental projects, thereby establishing Hisar as a key hub for skill development and job creation. Preet Sandhuu, Founder and Managing Director of AVPL International, expressed pride in the DGCA approval, emphasizing the organization's commitment to empowering India's youth with advanced drone skills and fostering employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas. This initiative is seen as a significant step towards preparing a skilled workforce for the evolving landscape of drone technology. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 5 pmeznews.inOver 5,000 farmers and 1,000 cooperatives are set to participate in the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025, taking place at New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam from October 30. Organised by the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), the event aims to unite stakeholders across the rice value chain, including exporters, importers, and financial institutions. Kribhco, a key player in India's rice exports, is the main sponsor, alongside National Cooperative Exports Ltd and others. Rajesh Paharia Jain, Chief Manager at Kribhco Agri Business Ltd, highlighted that the company has exported 136,000 tonnes of rice to several African nations in the first half of 2025. BIRC 2025 is poised to reinforce India's commitment to sustainable food exports and strengthen partnerships with importing countries, positioning India as a vital player in global agricultural trade. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's steel imports surged by 11% in the first half of FY25, with nearly 45% sourced from the top five countries, including South Korea and China. This influx has pressured domestic prices and market share, as highlighted in a recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report, which emphasizes the need for policy support, innovation, and cost efficiency to bolster the local steel sector. Despite a significant rise in steel consumption driven by construction and infrastructure projects, domestic production has struggled to keep pace, growing at 9.3% and 12.5% over the past two fiscal years. The report warns that competitive pricing from exporting nations, particularly amid China's economic slowdown, poses ongoing challenges. As cheaper imports continue to flood the market, they dampen demand for domestically produced steel, necessitating a strategic response to enhance India's steel industry's competitiveness. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia is bracing for a surge in fertiliser prices as China has suspended exports of urea and specialty fertilisers from October 15, a move that could impact global markets. This suspension affects a range of products, including Technical Monoammonium Phosphate (TMAP) and AdBlue, as well as conventional fertilisers like DAP and urea. Rajib Chakraborty, President of the Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association, indicated that prices for specialty fertilisers, which are already high, could rise by 10-15% due to these export restrictions. India relies heavily on China for its fertiliser needs, importing about 95% of its specialty fertilisers, with 60-65% consumed during the rabi season from October to March. While current supplies for the rabi season are secured through global trading agencies, concerns loom if the export curbs persist beyond March 2026. Alternative sources exist, but they are limited to specific products. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's coal imports saw a slight decline of 0.6% in August, totaling 20.58 million tonnes compared to 20.70 million tonnes in the same month last year, according to data from mjunction services. Non-coking coal imports fell significantly to 11.55 million tonnes from 13.04 million tonnes, while coking coal imports increased marginally to 4.82 million tonnes from 4.53 million tonnes. For the April-August period of FY26, total coal imports decreased to 118.07 million tonnes from 121.18 million tonnes a year earlier. The decline in demand has been attributed to a prolonged monsoon season, with expectations of continued sluggishness in the current fiscal year. However, mjunction's CEO Vinaya Varma noted that long-term coal demand is projected to grow, driven by a robust pipeline of thermal power projects. Mjunction Services Ltd is a joint venture between Tata Steel and SAIL. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia celebrated its most successful Diwali season to date, with retail sales reaching ₹5.40 lakh crore in goods and ₹65,000 crore in services, marking a 25% increase from 2024. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) attributed this surge to the rationalisation of GST rates and the public's enthusiastic response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Vocal for Local" campaign, with 87% of consumers preferring Indian-made products. The survey, conducted across 60 major distribution centres, highlighted a revival in traditional markets, where brick-and-mortar retail accounted for 85% of sales. Key sectors such as gold, groceries, and electronics saw significant growth, while the service sector generated ₹65,000 crore in festive business. The upbeat market sentiment was reflected in rising confidence indices, and the festival season created approximately 50 lakh temporary jobs, showcasing the resilience and potential of India's retail economy. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Food Corporation of India (FCI) is set to sell high-quality rice, including parboiled varieties, directly to consumers at Delhi's annual trade fair on November 14, aiming to gather feedback for potential future retail initiatives. In addition, the FCI plans to boost rice sales from its central stock by allowing traders to purchase in bulk, with a minimum order of 10,000 tonnes through a flexible e-auction model. The first tender, offering 4.60 lakh tonnes at a reserve price of ₹2,800 per quintal, opened for bidding on October 22. However, rice purchased under this scheme must remain within the domestic market and cannot be exported. With a stock of 449.57 lakh tonnes, significantly exceeding the buffer requirement, the FCI is exploring innovative ways to liquidate its surplus, especially given the lukewarm response from cooperative retail chains. The initiative aims to cater to diverse consumer preferences in Delhi, potentially enhancing demand for regional rice varieties. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 3 pm
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