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The White House has intensified its pressure on India to reduce import tariffs on US goods, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claiming that India imposes a 150% tariff on American alcohol, including Kentucky Bourbon, and a 100% tariff on agricultural products. However, this assertion has been challenged, as India's average agricultural tariffs are significantly lower at 39%, and Bourbon now faces a 100% tariff following recent budget cuts. Leavitt's comments come ahead of President Trump's planned announcement of reciprocal tariffs on countries with high tariffs. India is currently negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the US, aiming for a mutually beneficial pact that could mitigate Trump's tariff plans. Despite the US imposing higher tariffs on Indian goods, Leavitt's remarks appear to be part of a broader strategy to portray India as a significant tariff charger, overshadowing recent reductions and misrepresenting trade statistics. 
Published: Mar 12 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's industrial production saw a notable increase of 5% in January 2025, up from 3.5% in December, while retail inflation eased to a seven-month low of 3.6% in February, down from 4.3% in January. This decline in inflation, attributed to falling food prices, positions the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to potentially implement a 25 basis points interest rate cut in April. Experts caution, however, that inflation may rise slightly in March, with projections suggesting a CPI inflation rate of 3.9-4% for the month. The Statistics Ministry reported a significant drop in food inflation, particularly in vegetables and pulses, which contributed to the overall decline. Industrial growth was driven by positive performances in mining, manufacturing, and electricity sectors, with primary goods and infrastructure leading the way. Analysts anticipate cumulative rate cuts of 50-75 basis points in the current cycle, contingent on forthcoming economic data.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 7 pmeznews.inSoyameal exports from India have seen a significant decline, dropping by 19% to 9.50 lakh tonnes in the first five months of the oil year starting October 2024, compared to 11.71 lakh tonnes last year, primarily due to weak overseas demand. Production also fell by 10% to 40.64 lakh tonnes, attributed to sluggish crushing activity amid low soyabean prices, which remain below the minimum support price. Domestic demand for soyameal, particularly from the livestock feed sector, has also weakened, with a 6.7% decrease in offtake to 27.50 lakh tonnes. Despite muted overall demand, European countries like France and Germany have shown strong interest, with France emerging as the largest buyer at over 1.4 lakh tonnes. As of February-end, stocks held by traders and crushing plants stood at 48.01 lakh tonnes, with government agencies holding an additional 20 lakh tonnes.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has revised its sugar production estimate for the 2024-25 season down to 26.4 million tonnes (mt), primarily due to lower sugarcane yields in Maharashtra and Karnataka. This adjustment also includes a reduction in the diversion of sugar for ethanol production to 3.5 mt. As of March 10, 2025, total sugar production reached 23.31 mt, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka contributing significantly. While Uttar Pradesh is expected to see improved recovery rates, some mills may close by the end of March. The revised estimates indicate that Uttar Pradesh will produce 9.25 mt, Maharashtra 8.1 mt, and Karnataka 4.15 mt. Despite the current challenges, ISMA noted that favorable monsoon conditions have led to improved planting for the 2025-26 season, suggesting a more robust outlook for future production.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA report by Primus Partners highlights the transformative potential of India's seaweed farming sector, currently valued at ₹200 crore, which could grow to ₹3,277 crore in the next decade, impacting 1.6 million lives and creating sustainable livelihoods for 400,000 families. Despite India's vast coastline and regions like Lakshadweep and the Andaman Islands offering significant opportunities, the country contributes less than 1% to global seaweed production. Rising demand across various industries, including food and pharmaceuticals, positions seaweed farming as a key driver of India's blue economy. However, challenges such as inconsistent seed quality and logistical issues hinder growth. The report calls for a comprehensive roadmap to enhance infrastructure, policy support, and market access, alongside private investment incentives. Experts emphasize that resolving perceptions around high-value species like Kappaphycus could unlock substantial economic benefits, fundamentally transforming coastal livelihoods and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity has surged in 2025, reaching a three-year high of $18.2 billion, a 2.5% increase from the previous year, with the number of deals rising 4.2% to 570. This momentum follows a strong start to the year, with January witnessing a 16-month peak of $11.36 billion in M&A transactions. Notable deals include ITC Hotels' $4.3 billion acquisition and ONGC NTPC Green's $2.25 billion purchase of Ayana Renewable Power. The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has pledged to simplify the M&A process in her recent budget, aiming to create a more efficient framework for corporate restructuring. Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan is gathering inter-ministerial feedback to streamline merger approvals, which currently face delays due to court-driven processes. The proposed reforms seek to enhance the speed and transparency of M&A transactions, positioning them as vital tools for growth in India's evolving economic landscape.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) and Solidaridad, with technical support from the ICAR-Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research (ICAR-DRMR), have launched 2,000 mustard model farms (MMF) across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan this year. This initiative aims to enhance mustard production through the introduction of high-yielding varieties, improved pest management, and climate-resilient practices, alongside farmer field schools for knowledge sharing. The structured approach includes soil testing, training for lead farmers, and the distribution of quality inputs. SEA President Sanjeev K Asthana highlighted the project's potential to reduce India's reliance on edible oil imports, with mustard accounting for 40% of the country's production. The initiative, which began in 2020-21, has seen mustard production rise from 8.6 million tonnes in 2020-21 to 12 million tonnes in 2023-24, while cultivation area has expanded from 6.70 million hectares to approximately 10 million hectares.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has projected a total mustard acreage of 92.15 lakh hectares for the rabi 2024-25 season, with an estimated production of 115.16 lakh tonnes, slightly above the government's estimate of 89.30 lakh hectares. This projection, based on field surveys and satellite-driven analysis by SatSure Analytics, highlights Rajasthan as the largest mustard producer, expected to cover 34.74 lakh hectares with a yield of 52.45 lakh tonnes. Other key states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are also anticipated to contribute significantly. Despite positive crop growth indicators, farmers remain cautious due to rising production costs, even with an increased minimum support price of ₹5,950 per quintal. SEA aims to boost domestic oilseed production through initiatives like the 'Model Mustard Farm' project, targeting a production goal of 200 lakh tonnes by 2029-30. Further assessments will refine these estimates as the season progresses.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 5 pmeznews.inRetail inflation in India has dropped to 3.61% in January 2025, the lowest since July 2024, prompting expectations of a policy interest rate cut by the Monetary Policy Committee next month. This decline of 65 basis points from January's 4.3% is attributed to a significant reduction in food inflation, which fell to 3.75% year-on-year, with rural and urban rates at 4.06% and 3.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, industrial growth accelerated to 5% in January, up from 3.2% in December 2024, driven by positive performances in mining, manufacturing, and electricity sectors. Notably, 19 out of 23 manufacturing industry groups reported growth, with the manufacture of electrical equipment leading at 21.7%. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) also showed robust growth across various classifications, indicating a strengthening economy as it prepares for potential monetary easing.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia faces challenges in reviving its broken rice export market after lifting a ban on March 7, 2025, due to competition from lower-priced suppliers in Vietnam, Pakistan, and Myanmar. Traders indicate that Indian broken rice, priced at $360 per tonne, is significantly more expensive than its competitors, which are offering prices as low as $307 per tonne. Despite record rice stocks of 36.7 million tonnes and a drop in domestic prices, the demand for broken rice is being driven by the ethanol and poultry feed sectors, complicating export efforts. Analysts predict that exports will likely fall short of the 1.2-1.6 million tonnes anticipated, with the potential for an increase to 3 million tonnes if China engages in purchases. The government’s approach to reopening the market has been criticized for lacking a phased strategy, which could have eased the transition for exporters.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a significant shift for India's sugar industry, domestic consumption is projected to surpass production for the first time, following a government revision that cut sugarcane production estimates by 5 million tonnes (mt) to 435.08 mt for the 2024-25 crop year. The All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) subsequently lowered its sugar production forecast by 0.72 mt to 25.8 mt, citing reduced yields from key states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. While Uttar Pradesh's output remains stable at 9 mt, Karnataka's production is expected to rise slightly to 4.1 mt. Additionally, the diversion of sugar for ethanol production has been revised down to 3.8 mt. With 177 mills ceasing operations and a closing stock projected at 37.8 mt against a consumption estimate of 29 mt, experts urge the government to conduct independent assessments to avoid market disruptions amid concerns over potential shortages.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 4 pm
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