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HomePosts Tagged "India" (Page 4)
Horticulture, New Zealand, Supply Chain, Trade

This year’s mango exports to New Zealand surpassed 100000 kilogrammes, with the possibility of further imports by the end of the month

According to New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries, mango imports from India to New Zealand have tripled this year compared to last year. In 2022, New Zealand imported less than 30000 kilogrammes of mangoes from India, but this year’s figure has already surpassed 100000 kilogrammes, with the possibility of further imports until the end of the month.

Mango season in India typically starts in April and ends in July after the onset of monsoon rains. The increase in the volume of mango imports from India can be attributed to the resumption of services at the Maharashtra Agricultural Marketing Board vapour heat treatment facility in Mumbai, which is one of two facilities licensed to treat mangoes for export to New Zealand.

The suspension of mango exports from Mumbai to New Zealand in July 2020 was lifted in May this year following a virtual audit in February and an in-country audit in April. Mangoes imported into New Zealand must comply with the Import Health Standard and the bilateral agreement between the two countries. The facility in Mumbai has treated approximately 87407 kilogrammes of mangoes in the past three months, which accounts for about 80 per cent of total mango imports from India to New Zealand. However, despite the improvement in trade figures, mango exports from India to New Zealand still lag behind those from Latin America, with Peru leading the pack at 65.7 per cent of overall mango imports to New Zealand, followed by Mexico at 15.3 per cent, Australia at just under 10 per cent, and India at 6.9 per cent. Australia has been overtaken by South and Central American nations as the country’s largest source of mango.

This year's mango exports to New Zealand

AgroPolicy, India, R&D

The two countries to hold comprehensive talks between delegations comprising academia, R&D Institutes and Industry in the field of S&T and Biotechnology

India and Argentina have agreed to a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture.

This was stated by Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; when the Governor of Santa Fe province of Argentina, Omar Angel Perotti called on him, accompanied by a high-level delegation.

The two countries also decided to hold comprehensive talks between delegations comprising academia, R&D Institutes and Industry in the field of Science & Technology and Biotechnology, said the Minister.

Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that a new Indo-Argentina call for joint proposals was launched on February 7, 2023, in the research areas of Energy Transition and Biotechnology jointly during his meeting with Argentina’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Daniel Filmus in New Delhi. A total of 82 joint proposals were received under the said call. These are under the evaluation process.

Santa Fe Province accounts for as many as 8 of these joint proposals, said Perotti, adding that the province also accounts for about 80 per cent of bilateral trade between India and the Latin American nation. The Governor mentioned that Santa Fe is the hub of R&D institutions in Biotechnology and Agricultural research especially in Soyabean, and close tie-ups with universities and industry in the province. Pioneering work has been done here in disease-resistant seed production, he said.

The Indian delegation evinced interest in collaborating in Geospatial technology, Quantum Computation and Bio-Enzymes. It was pointed out that India has the world’s third largest Startup ecosystem and there is huge potential for joint studies and collaboration at various levels such as institutional, universities and multilateral fora.

The two countries to hold comprehensive talks

Animal Health, Company News, World

Joining hands with Dr Amit Das, A-Systems aims for Allix to be one of the most used formulation software in the area in the coming years.

A-Systems, a market-leading provider of animal nutrition software, announced its partnership with Dr Amit Das to strengthen its position in South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka).

For the last 20 years, A-Systems has developed the Allix feed formulation software, KAllix quality control software and Ruminix Ruminant Ration Balancer. These solutions are some of the most used solutions in some parts of the world. So by joining hands with Dr Amit Das, A-Systems aims for Allix to be one of the most used formulation software in the area in the coming years.

Dr Amit Das is a well-known reference in the animal nutrition industry. He started his career in V.H Group (Uttara Feeds) as Animal Nutritionist and then worked as Head of Animal Nutrition and R&D at ACI-Godrej Agrovet and Business Head at Amrit Global BD Ltd. In addition, for many years, he has been providing consultancy to key players in India, Bangladesh, Nepal & some countries in Africa.  Dr Das has a deep knowledge of the existing feed formulation software market available in India. He is very confident in Allix3 formulation software, and he feels that this software will add a lot of value to the feed industry. This is a very powerful formulation tool and is very user-friendly.

“I have been very impressed by the quality of the solutions and services provided by A-Systems’; having more than 20 years of experience in feed formulation, I have never experienced such great software. I am truly confident Allix3 users have a lot to gain from this modern solution,” said Dr Amit Das.

This new partnership enables A-Systems to rely on a local and trusted consultant providing high-quality advice and support. “A-Systems is very excited to start marketing in this key market collaborating with Dr Das. His long experience in the animal nutrition industry and his choice to collaborate with A-Systems to provide a better service to his customers in the South Asia market gives a good reason to South Asian feed mills to give it a try Allix3,” said Benoit Chesnais in charge of the Asian development of A-Systems.

Joining hands with Dr Amit Das, A-Systems

India, Supply Chain, Trade, Vegetables

Six trucks carrying 10 tonnes of green chilli each entered the land port

After a five-day Eid-ul-Azha break, trade between India and Bangladesh resumed through the land port of Bhomra in Satkhira with the arrival of 60 tonnes of green chilli, according to local media of Bangladesh.

Six trucks carrying 10 tonnes of green chilli each entered the land port. The import would reduce the cost of green chilli on the local market.

A number of trucks carrying green chilli from India are currently travelling to Bangladesh and will arrive at the land port.

The government authorised the importation of 36,830 tonnes of green chilli, which resulted in the arrival of approximately 93 tons of the essential kitchen ingredient in Bangladesh within a week.

Bangladesh has already received over 138,000 tonnes of onion, despite the government’s authorisation to import 918,000 tonnes.

The Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture granted permission for the importation of green chilli as a result of the rising cost of green chilli in the local market.

Six trucks carrying 10 tonnes of green

Company News, Supply Chain, Trade, World

The greatest benefit of this tariff relief will be to customers who will enjoy almonds at a lower price

Blue Diamond Growers almond marketer and processor of California almonds, appreciates the hard work of Speaker McCarthy, Senator Padilla, Congressman Costa, and USTR Ambassador Tai in negotiating this needed tariff relief for the industry’s number one market.

Blue Diamond takes pride in opening the Indian market to almonds many decades ago bringing the industry and Blue Diamond members strong returns over the years.  We value our direct and strong relationships with our customers in India and look forward to increasing the volume of almond trade, especially during this difficult time of depressed pricing for California almond growers.  Australia, a competitive growing region for almonds, continues to enjoy a 50 per cent less duty on almonds through their FTA with India.  We will continue to encourage all avenues for opening trade through reduced or zero duty on almonds.

“The greatest benefit of this tariff relief will be to our customers who will enjoy almonds at a lower price.  We are grateful for Speaker McCarthy, Senator Padilla and Congressman Costa’s ongoing support and leadership for agricultural trade.” Alicia Rockwell, Chief Government Affairs Officer.

Blue Diamond Growers, on behalf of its grower-owners and as the country’s leading almond exporter, encourages Congress and the Administration to prioritise trade and the benefits it brings to worldwide economic vibrancy.

The greatest benefit of this tariff relief

AgroPolicy, Horticulture, Supply Chain, Trade

Apples from the US to compete on the level playing field with other countries

With the decision to the resolution of six outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) disputes between the US and India through mutually agreed solutions as jointly communicated during the official state visit of the Prime Minister to the USA, India will remove additional duties on eight US products, including apples.  

The decision will not result in any negative impact on domestic apple producers and will result in competition in the premium market segment ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers.

After the removal of this duty, the apples from the US would compete on a level playing field with other countries.

The decision will ensure that only premium quality apples could be imported for which there exists a specific market segment and specific demand.

An additional 20 per cent duty was imposed on US apples in 2019 in response to USA’s measure to increase tariffs on certain steel and aluminium products. There is no reduction on Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duty on apples which is still applicable on all imported apples including in the USA at 50 per cent.

The import of apples from the world has been stable in the range of $ 239 – 305 million (except in 2021-22 when it was $ 385 million) in the last five financial years since the application of these additional duties on US apples. The import of apples from the USA has decreased from $ 145 million (127,908 Ton) in FY 2018-19 to only $ 5.27 million (4,486 Ton) in FY 2022-23.

The market share of the US apples was taken by other countries due to the imposition of additional retaliatory duty on US apples. This is reflected as the import of apples from countries other than the US increased from $ 160 million in FY 2018-19 to $ 290 million in FY 2022-23. Turkey, Italy, Chile, Iran and New Zealand are other top exporters to India of apples which took the market share of the US.

Apples from the US to compete on

Horticulture, Supply Chain, Trade, World

Last week, Dutch Greenhouse Delta, together with partners from the government and business community, hosted four incoming trade missions

The official delegations came from India, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kazakhstan, and various Stan countries. They were immersed in the knowledge and expertise of the Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector through a tailor-made program. During these missions, the focus was on exploring collaboration opportunities and strengthening trade relations to facilitate the transformation towards sustainable and affordable fresh food production in the respective countries.

The delegation programs featured company visits across the entire ecosystem of the Dutch horticulture cluster. Logistics, the port, biology, breeding, and innovative horticultural technology were presented to international decision-makers. The delegation members included policymakers, investors, growers, and companies involved in the import and export of fresh produce. A comprehensive visit to the GreenTech exhibition, where innovations were showcased, left a significant impression on the delegations. Additionally, knowledge sessions and matchmaking with various Dutch companies were part of the programs.

Sanket Mehta is the co-founder & director of Nutrifresh Farm Tech India and one of the delegates. He reflects on India’s trade mission to the Netherlands, “The whole experience of the trade mission has been fascinating. Programs like these are important in future collaborations, and to take a leap in the transformation towards growing fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables locally. Knowledge exchange will take both countries forward. I am really happy that I am an associate of PIB HortiRoad2India, which promotes such collaborations between The Netherlands and India”.

Several organisations have expressed their intention to further collaborate, including Dr Abdelaziz Almalek, the Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Water, Environment, and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia. He will advocate for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on agriculture between our countries from Saudi Arabia. The trade mission from Kazakhstan can expect a concrete follow-up during AgroWorld, an exhibition taking place from November 1st to 3rd in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Additionally, by the end of this year, an outgoing trade mission to India, led by Mark Rutte, will take place to further strengthen collaborations between the countries.

Last week, Dutch Greenhouse Delta, together with

AgroPolicy, India, Supply Chain, Trade

The trade between Iran and India reached $510 million in the first quarter of this year

Agricultural officials of Iran and India have agreed to form a joint committee for agricultural cooperation between the two countries within the next three months, According to the Iran media.

The agreement was signed in a meeting between Mohammad Mehdi Borumandi Iran’s Deputy Agriculture Minister and Manoj Ahuja Secretary of India’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry in New Delhi.

Borumandi, recently visited New Delhi to hold talks on the agricultural cooperation between Iran and India and met with his Indian counterpart to review the latest status of bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture.

The officials also agreed to hold the first joint working group on agricultural cooperation between the two countries in the near future.

In the meeting, Borumandi stressed Iran’s readiness for cooperation in various fields including horticultural products, medicinal plants, combating plant pests, agricultural technologies, exchange of professors and experts, and collaboration between research institutions of the two countries.

He stressed removing tariff barriers on agricultural trade as necessary for the future expansion of relations.

Manoj Ahuja announced that the ban on the exports of kiwi to India, which had been temporarily prohibited since last year due to quarantine considerations, has been lifted.

The trade between Iran and India reached $510 million in the first quarter of this year, according to the data released by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

According to the report, agricultural products, especially rice, had the largest share in India’s exports to Iran. Rice accounted for 63 per cent of the total volume of exports, while fruits with $15 million, and tea with $10 million ranked second and third.

The trade between Iran and India reached

AgroPolicy, Horticulture, India, R&D, Sustainability

Dr Jitendra Singh chairs the review meeting of the Cannabis Research Project of CSIR-IIIM at Jammu

‘Cannabis Research Project’ of CSIR-IIIM Jammu is a first of its kind in India which has great potential to produce and export quality medicine for neuropathies, cancer & epilepsy, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology;  said this while chairing a review meeting with the top officials of CSIR-IIIM and J&K UT Science and Technology Department.

During the meeting, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the signing of a scientific agreement between CSIR-IIIM and IndusScan was historic not only for J&K but for the whole of India as it has the potential to produce those kinds of medicines which have to be exported from foreign countries. This kind of project will give an impetus for huge investment in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Singh added.

While appreciating CSIR-IIIM for this project, Dr Jitendra Singh said, CSIR-IIIM is the oldest scientific research institute in India with a history of discovering the mint way back in the 1960s, the centre of purple revolution and now the Cannabis Research Project of CSIR-IIIM is going to make it more prestigious in terms of scientific research in India.

Dr. Jitendra Singh further said, for such a kind of important project, synergy between institutions like CSIR-IIIM, IIM, IIT, AIIMS etc. is imperative to look for various technicalities involved in it like the marketing strategies that can be done through IIM, clinical trials through AIIMS, technical support through IIT etc. as all these institutions are only situated in a radius of few kilometres in Jammu which is now the hub of education in India.

Dr Jitendra Singh chairs the review meeting

Foodgrains, India, Supply Chain, Trade

To keep prices down last year India banned wheat and broken rice exports and imposed a 20 per cent export duty on non-basmati rice varieties

India will export around 1.05 million tonnes of food grains to Nepal, Indonesia, Senegal and the Gambia as part of economic diplomacy in 2023.

Last year to keep prices down, India banned wheat and broken rice exports and imposed a 20 per cent export duty on non-basmati rice varieties.

The Department of Food and public distribution has allowed exports of 300,000 tonnes of wheat to Nepal, 200,000 tonnes of broken rice to Indonesia, 500,000 tonnes of broken rice to Senegal, and 50,000 tonnes of broken rice to Gambia on a request by the external affairs ministry. 

The Food Corp of India (FCI) so far has procured a little over 26 metric tonnes of wheat in the 2023-24 (October-March) rabi marketing year against a target of 34.5 metric tonnes. A hot February and heavy rains in March and April lowered wheat production to below the agriculture ministry’s second estimate of 112.2 metric tonnes.

In the case of rice, FCI had procured 77.2 metric tonnes of paddy in the ongoing 2022-23 (April-September) kharif marketing season and 3.2 metric tonnes of paddy in the current 2023-24 rabi marketing season against an estimated target of 15.7 metric tonnes. 

Last year, India exported 1.8 metric tonnes of wheat, including 33,000 tonnes of 50,000 tonnes committed to Afghanistan as part of humanitarian assistance.

To keep prices down last year India

Horticulture, Sustainability, World

The tea industry can become an engine for economic growth and for restoration of the ecosystems

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) kicked off a global celebration for International Tea Day 2023 at its Rome headquarters.

“In the last three years, the world has faced significant challenges, due to conflicts and economic downturns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in overlap with extreme weather events due to the climate crisis.” QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General said in his opening remarks. “The tea industry can become an engine for economic growth and for restoration of the ecosystems. It can contribute to our fight against poverty and hunger, and represents a major source of income and employment, especially for rural communities,” he added.

The focus of this year’s celebration is smallholder tea producers and Qu underlined their importance for the sustainability of the sector. “We want to celebrate their achievements, but also raise awareness about the significant challenges they face, and the urgent need to mobilise political will to support them,” he said, adding that “we must all work together and leverage all possible means, including increased and more targeted public and private investments, to transform the tea sector.”

Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water, and can bring health benefits and wellness to consumers. Over the past decades, the global tea industry has seen rapid growth, with a remarkably rising number of consumers globally. Especially, tea consumption by the youth segment of the market has expanded.

Global tea production amounts to over $18 billion annually. Around 13 million people are involved in global tea production. It is estimated that in the four major producing countries (China, India, Kenya and Sri Lanka), around 9 million tea farmers are smallholders. 

The tea industry can become an engine

Dairy, Live Stock, Sustainability, World

The five-day event also discusses the role of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as future importers and self-sufficient markets

Dairy Olympics 2023 will be held in Uzbekistan during 21-26 May in partnership with Agritechnica and EuroTier. As part of the international conference program to be held with over 400 visitors, themed tours to farms and processing plants will be organised.

At the 14th Dairy Olympics, an international conference event addressing region-relevant dairy topics is being held this year in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where the DLG (German Agricultural Society) will be contributing with its dairy know-how and management as well as farm equipment expertise. DLG’s two world-leading Germany-based exhibitions, Agritechnica, the international agricultural machinery exhibition, and EuroTier, the trade fair for animal farming and livestock management, will feature as partners with a contributing expert participating in the conference program from 21-26 May.

Designated as an official Agritechnica on Tour stop, which explores regional farm machinery topics, the Dairy Olympics is expected to attract 400 visitors from neighbouring countries including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as international experts.

The venue of Uzbekistan is interesting as it is not only one of the most populous countries in Central Asia but also one of the youngest. Agriculture plays an important role in the overall economy, employing over a quarter of the workforce, with a government program seeking to reform the sector, using modern genetics, production methods and a consistent feed system. Water management is a major challenge and the country is still coping with the legacy of its recent past. Some 27 million hectares of arable land represent 63 per cent of Uzbekistan’s total land area.

The five-day event not only explores the Uzbek dairy sector in-depth but also discusses the role of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as future importers and self-sufficient markets, as well as the position of Turkey in the region. Current technological, social and humanitarian challenges in the industry will be topics of discourse throughout the conference, a highlight of which will be the DLG’s expert contribution, entitled ‘Crises and sustainability policies: impact on dairy farming’ and presented by Dr Olga Hunger, Area Director Eastern Europe, DLG.

The five-day event also discusses the role

China, India, Poultry, Supply Chain, Trade

Due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Bihar India

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong has announced that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Purnia District and Bhagalpur District of Bihar in India, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry eggs from the areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with India for the import of poultry eggs but not for poultry meat. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no eggs were imported into Hong Kong from India in the first three months of this year.

“The CFS has contacted the Indian authority over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Europe, India, Sustainability

The agreement includes a study on using cutting-edge UK technology to spot diseases in shrimp aquaculture

The UK and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement on science, research and innovation, which will help facilitate a raft of new joint research programs – some of which include aquaculture initiatives.

The collaborative activities carried out under the MoU will be supported by joint funding agreed by both sides, with finances for each program determined between the UK and India on a case-by-case basis.

“The agreement will remove red tape standing in the way of major collaborations while unleashing a raft of new joint research schemes aiming to deliver progress on some of the biggest issues facing the world: from climate change and pandemic preparedness through to AI and machine learning,” according to the UK government press release.

The agreement includes a study on using cutting-edge UK technology to spot diseases in shrimp aquaculture, as well as a partnership using data to detect harmful algal blooms (HABs) affecting the ocean. Moreover, there are plans to fund 10 UK-India fisheries research fellowships.

“The agreement is part of our program of deepening UK collaboration with other global science superpowers on ground-breaking innovation and research, to help tackle shared global challenges,” said George Freeman, Minister of State for the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. “This partnership will grow the sectors, companies and jobs of tomorrow for the benefit of both our countries and the globe.”

The agreement includes a study on using