Cyclone Montha spins up ahead of forecasts, set to intensify
In a pattern increasingly associated with sea-based storms in the North Indian Ocean in recent times, Sunday’s deep depression over the south-east Bay and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal beat forecast timelines to intensify as cyclone Montha. It was declared during the intervening midnight of Sunday and Monday, ahead of its expected timeline, as a […]
Onion deflation at 6.5-year high in September amid subdued exports
Onion prices are once again seeing prolonged periods of deflation. Consumer price index (CPI) based deflation in onions was recorded at -49.85 per cent in September, which was a six-and-a-half-year high. This is the steepest deflation rate recorded in onions since February 2019 (see chart). So far, in this current financial year (2025-26), only April […]
Early arrival of Devgad Alphonso mango sweetens Diwali in Maharashtra
The celebrated Devgad Hapus (Alphonso) mango, known for its rich aroma and taste, has made an early entry into the market this year — much ahead of its usual season between December and January. The first consignment from the Konkan region reached the Vashi market just in time for Diwali, bringing festive cheer to traders […]
Indonesia’s new biodiesel mandate to support global palm oil prices
India’s palm oil imports from Malaysia hit an 11-month high of 312,000 tonnes in September, tightening global vegetable oil supplies. Prices are currently holding above MYR (Malaysian ringgit) 4,400 per tonne, supported by Indonesia’s potential B50 biodiesel mandate and falling soybean oil exports from the US, Brazil and Argentina. Analysts warn consumers may see sustained […]
WEF unveils AI playbook to boost future farming and empower India’s farmers
World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India, in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India (PSA to GoI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), on Wednesday announced the release of ‘Future Farming in India: A Playbook for Scaling Artificial Intelligence in […]
China suspends exports of key fertilizers, again
China has suspended export of some of the key fertilizers, including speciality ones such as Technical Monoammonium Phosphate (TAMP) and urea-solution products such as AdBlue, besides conventional fertilizers like di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea from October 15. Rajib Chakraborty, National President , Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA), said the Chinese suspension of the key fertilizers […]
Indian rice procurement tops 48 lakh tonnes on early harvest
Rice procurement in the first fortnight of October has more than doubled to over 48 lakh tonnes (lt) worth ₹17,240 crore, which officials said was mainly due to early harvesting in Punjab and Haryana. The daily procurement was about 5 lt until October 16, which may jump substantially next month when purchases start picking up […]
Cotton output may range between 312 and 335 lakh bales of 170 kg each, despite dip in area
India’s cotton output for the 2025-26 season starting October is likely to be between 312 and 335 lakh bales of 170 kg each, despite a dip in area and feares of excess rain hurting production in some regions. Arrivals of the new crop have picked up this week across various States with the daily arrivals […]
Heavy rain may slash Nashik’s grape output by 40%
Nashik, Maharashtra’s grape capital, is staring at one of its worst seasons in recent years as continuous rain since May has severely hit vineyards across the district. Growers estimate that grape production could fall by nearly 40 per cent, with significant delays expected in the harvest season. According to farmers, incessant rain over the past […]
Global spice industry projected to reach $41.9 billion by 2033
India reaffirmed its leadership in the global spice sector as the 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) began in Guwahati. Organised by the Spices Board, the event has drawn around 81 delegates from 27 countries to deliberate on developing harmonised international standards for spices and culinary herbs. Rajit Punhani, […]