India Agri&Food Weekly Summary - 18Dec'15

1. As per Boston Consulting Group, The market size for food in India, which was at Rs 23 lakh crore in 2014, is set to reach Rs 42 lakh crore by 2020.

2. The Centre has raised the fair and remunerative price (FRP) of sugarcane to Rs.230 per quintal. According to Industry data, India’s sugar production rose by 19 per cent to 103 lakh tonnes till January 15 in the current marketing year that started in October on higher sugarcane supply.

3. Winter demand pushed up cashew exports during April-December of the current fiscal, despite higher unit value in November and December. Total shipments during the first nine months of the current fiscal stood at 1,01,176 tonnes valued at Rs.4,098.81 crore at an average unit value of Rs.405.12 a kg.

4. The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a pact with the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to provide assistance in making agriculture sustainable and profitable. The best technological tools and scientific practices from across the world will be incorporated into primary sector activities.

5. Dairy gaint Amul is planning to invest Rs. 5,000 crore to set up around 10 milk processing plants in the next fiscal in order to achieve the revenue target of Rs. 50,000 crore by 2020.

6. Vegetable oil imports increased seven per cent to 11.39 lakh tonnes in December against 10.67 lakh tonnes in the same period a year ago on improved demand.

7. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development  (NABARD) released Rs.30 Crore to National Collateral Management Services Limited (NCML) out of its Warehousing Infrastructure Fund (WIF), for construction of 25 Warehouses in 10 States for creation of scientific warehousing capacity of 3,74,500 MT.

8. To enhance soil health and efficiency in water use in agriculture, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) have joined hands for commercialisation of superabsorbent hydrogels technology.

9. About Rs. 40,000 crore would be invested in the next four years to make India self-reliant in urea production.

10. The Government is planning to launch the ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)’ this month to ensure water supply to farmers round the year.

India Agri & Food Updates - 13Jan'15 !

1. The Government proposes to fast track the process of setting up the proposed urea-ammonia plant in Iran through a joint venture as it is rich in energy resources.

2. Edible oil major Adani Wilmar Ltd plans to invest ₹150 crore over the next 12-18 months in its rice business, a new vertical it expects to grow over the next few years.The company forayed into rice last year and ran a pilot with its Pilaf brand of basmati rice.

3. Triggered by the decision of the AP Government to supply a pack of all essentials including half kg jaggery to the white ration card-holders as a Sankaranti gift, there has been a sudden spurt in the prices of jaggery for all grades.

4.Kerala-based Dhathri Ayurveda has launched its Eat Pure brand in the US market. It is a natural herbal product to remove contamination of pesticides and chemicals in fruits and vegetables.

5. Strong domestic demand, coupled with good export buying, kept the cardamom prices steady last week despite moderate arrivals at the auctions.

Global Agri & Food Roundup - 13Jan'15 !

1. A coalation representing more than 30 Agricultural Organizations and Companies joined to form US Agriculture Coalation for Cuba (USACC), with an emphasis to strengthen US-Cuba trade relations.

2. Parmalat (Italy) has agreed to acquire Consorzio Cooperativo Latterie Friulane for around €11.5m (US$13.7m) in the hope of reversing the regional Italian dairy's recent downturn.

3. General Mills will continue its cost-saving program across the US with further plant closures, announcing the shutdown of two Pillsbury production sites.

4. 3M Food Safety has launched a test using a dual sensing indicator technology that can detect aerobic bacteria counts in 24 hours for most food matrices.

5. Event Round Up: FOOD VISION 2015, 18–20 Mar 2015, Cannes, France.

6. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that more than 23,000 of the nation's dairy operations have enrolled in the new safety-net program created by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Margin Protection Program. The voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.

7. USDA announced the availability of more than $18 million in funding to help educate, mentor and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers. This support is available through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), administered by USDA's National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

8. Dietary supplements with garlic (Allium sativum) may beneficially affect blood pressure, especially for hypertensives, says a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials.

India Agri & Food Summary - 12'Jan'15

1. Fertiliser to salt manufacturer, Tata Chemicals plans to enter the essential need products segment of Indian household from spices to staples in the year ahead.

2. Taco Bell back on expansion mode; to open 25 outlets in India by 2016

3. The Food Processing Industries Ministry, along with private players of the sector, is organising a 3 day Food & Grocery Forum in Mumbai from January 14. Companies from British Columbia, Dubai, Ecuador, Colombia, USA, Canada, Spain and UK are set to join this event.

4. Owing to reasons of sever pest attack, erratic rainfall and cyclone, the Coffee Board lowers 2014-15 crop estimates by 4%

5. DS Group (Dharampal Satyapal) plans to have five more production units to roll out a range of dairy products across the country in next three years, with an investment of Rs. 200 crore.

6. Sugar Millers in TamilNadu seized their operations, demanding subsidy and abolition of VAT levied on sugar.

7. Synthite group, which recently forayed into FMCG market with curry powders, masalas and spices, is set to enter the Gulf market with its products under the brand name Kitchen Treasures.

8. With growing suspicions on the quality of arecanut,  Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI)  suggested that Centre should strengthen the laboratories in government-run research stations to test the quality of imported stocks.

9. Rubber growers have welcomed the Government’s decision to reduce the time window of exports from 18 months to 6 months under Rubber Advance License import scheme.

10. The Indian Tobacco Traders were adviced by Tobacco Board not to undersell the produce in international market by sticking to nimimum export price (MEP).

Global Agri, Food & Drink updates - 09Jan'15 !

1. Global sugar prices are likely to remain low in 2015 as production looks set to continue at a similar level, according to Rabobank’s Q4 sugar report.

2. Zenith International's 2015 Global Soft Drinks Congress has the theme 'Thirst for Change', and its program includes leading players such as Coca-Cola, Pepsico,

3. The European Union needs to update the way it regulates biotechnology as advances are made in plant breeding – or risk disrupting trade in commodity crops, according to a Professor of Rothamsted Research, Talking Rain and the American Beverage Association.

4. NIZO has developed a method to produce what it calls the “Holy Grail” of ice cream - a fat-free, low-sugar soft serve offering with less than 100 calories per 100g serving.

5. Experts from the Infant Nutrition Council (Aus-NZ), Malaysian Dieticians Association and Euromonitor will discuss how Apac countries differ in their infant formula needs, and how to best market their products within Asia’s strict regulatory framework.

6. Tesco has become the first major UK supermarket to remove confectionery from checkout lanes at its convenience stores.

7. Guilt-free but indulgent frozen dessert brand Arctic Zero grew sales by more than 25% in 2014 versus 2013 and is “poised for significant growth” in 2015, says the San Diego-based firm.

8. Hong Kong has proposed banning nutrition claims on infant formula products over concerns they mislead consumers and discourage breastfeeding.

9. While India plans to increase compensation payments (to the extent of Rs.66 Lakh or US$104K) to volunteers who suffer disability from clinical trials, some experts have criticised the new regime for not going far enough. Accordingly Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) plans to pass  an amended law.

10. Men’s food behaviours in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland put them at a significant health disadvantage compared to women, according to a report from public health agency safefood.

11.  The Department of Food Science at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, has launched an expanded online interactive food safety training program for food industry professionals.

12. Germany and Norway have proposed a restriction on Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts in concentrations equal to or greater than 2 parts per billion (PPB), which are used in Paper and Cardboard food packing.

13. Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute has co-developed a new polymer powder to detect harmful microorganisms in beer and other beverages that it claims will dramatically shorten testing times.

India Agri & Food Updates - 09Jan'2015 !

1. According to Director of the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), the country has different agro-climatic conditions, and there is good scope for Agri-business ventures in the areas such as the supply of agricultural inputs, and production and processing. The youth can look at starting ventures in the development of quality seeds with the help of bio-technology and in the supply of quality plantation materials.

2. A dip in minimum (night) temperature may sustain a cold wave over parts of central Indian and trigger ground frost in north Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab over the next three days.The standing rabi crop can do well with a round or two of showers, which will help with their growth.

3. India had 25.1 million tonnes of wheat in government warehouses as of January 1, more than three times the target, potentially making it easier for the Government to allow exports to cash in on attractive global prices.

4. India’s first vaccine for blue tongue disease that is increasingly afflicting sheep and goat across the country was launched by veterinary biological company Indian Immunologicals Ltd

5. Eminent space scientist and former Chairman of ISRO UR Rao has stressed the use of space technology (sapce imagery about fields) in improving agriculture productivity (termed evergreen revolution) in the country.

6. Global food prices fell in December, the United Nations food agency (FAO) said on Thursday, with dairy and meat prices weaker and vegetable oil and sugar prices hit by lower demand for biofuels, while cereals remained steady,

Global Food & Agri updates - 08Jan'15 !

1. Aqua Capital, the Brazilian agribusiness private equity firm, has created the largest cold storage group in Brazil by merging portfolio company Comfrio Soluções Logísticas with Stock Tech Logística.

2. A recent report from Australian government bureau ABARES indicates a 29% increase in average dairy farm cash incomes.

3. Nestlé puts €18m on table for epigenetics research (study of how environmental factors including eating behaviours impact genetics of customer).

4. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began its celebration of the International Year of Soils on 6thJan'15, to highlight the importance of healthy soils for food security, ecosystem functions and resilient farms and ranches.

5. Kellog has developed a process that micro-grinds bran to create a more versatile and palatble powder. The bran powder can be made from a host of grains including wheat, oat, barley, corn, sorghum, quinoa and hemp. It can be used to the extent of 50% in no.of products viz. ready-to-eat cereals and bars to baked goods, confections and beverages.

6. Elmer Chocolate invests $40m in Louisiana (U.S) plant expansion.

7. NewZealand scientists believe Feijoa and blackberry could give new focus in inflammatiory treatment of bowels disease.

8. According to a new report by Frost & Sullivan, GCC food processing sector is set to an average growth of 8.5% till 2018. Furthe chocolate maker Mars invested a total of US$140 m in new manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia and UAE.

9. A daily glass of tomato juice for eight weeks has a direct effect on waist circumference, cholesterol, and markers of inflammation in generally healthy young women, says a new study from Taiwan.

10. Takween Advanced Industries acquires Savola Packaging (Saudi Arabia) for $242m.

11.A ban on all forms of advertising of food to children under the age of 13 is now in place in the Netherlands.

12.China eyes potato cultivation as possible solution to low agri-yield.

India Agri&Food Updates - 08Jan'15

1. Olive oil prices might raise owing to a 9 year low production in Italy and Spain, which contributes to 95% of Olive based imports, while Greece accounts to 3% of imports.

2. Govt removes 35% cap on Neem-coated urea production, aiming for self-sufficiency in indigenous urea production. The removal of the production cap is also expected to rein in the subsidy bill by nearly Rs. 5,000 crore and help enhance farmers’ incomes.

3. Oilmeal exports dipped 34 per cent last month to 3.89 lakh tonnes (5.90 tonnes) largely due to disparity in pricing of Indian soyabean meal.Soyabean meal prices in India have been holding steady even as they fell sharply in the international markets. This has led to meal exporters quoting higher price.

4. The Indian consumer stands to benefit with Chile and India expanding their existing trade agreement and significantly reducing fruit export tariffs to India.While cherries and kiwifruit are the two categories with strong scope for growth, a huge shipment of cherries is already making its way to India, according to traders.

5. A section of growers have urged the government to levy a 30 per cent Customs duty on pulses as cheaper imports are hindering them from getting remunerative prices for their produce.

6. The Indian Meteorological Department is embarking upon a Rs.350-crore project to study the impact of Himalayan mountains on the South West monsoon, its behaviour, journey and schedules, in greater detail.The data will be used by weathermen to get a better handle on forecasting monsoon, which play a vital role in Indian agriculture.

India Agri Updates - 06Jan'15

1. Besides exporting hybrids, Indian seed companies such as Advanta, Bioseed and Mahyco, besides others are beginning to make inroads into overseas markets investing in research and development in South-East Asia and Africa among other geographies.

2, According to Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), the area under arecanut cultivation in the country has increased to 4.51 lakh hectares in 2014 from 1.67 lakh hectares in 1971.

3. The Federation of Sugarcane Growers’ Association has appealed to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to convince the Union Government to announce the Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) of Rs.3,500 for the upcoming procurement season, to ensure 8.5 per cent recovery for the season 2014-15.

4.  In auctions held in Kerala and Tamil Nadu,  the average price of Cardamom moved up to Rs.839 a kg from Rs.786.44 a kg last Monday.

5. According to Tobacco Board, there is a glut in the world tobacco market as the cigarette companies are carrying huge stocks and, therefore, the farmers in AP and Karnataka are requested to strictly remain within the authorised crop limits.

6. The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets the popular Amul brand of milk and dairy products, has drawn up a plan to invest at least Rs 5,000 crore to expand production capacities by more than a third over the next 2-3 years.

7. Having built a dominant presence as a supplier of ingredients for Italian cuisine to quick-service restaurants and cafeterias, FieldFresh Foods now aims to take the Del Monte brand in these categories to Indian homes.

8. Former Indian president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, appreciated the innovation of modifying a cycle to make it a self-spraying pump. The cycle-pump project is a modified cycle in which the seat has been replaced with the pesticide-spraying pump, and the paddle and the pump rod are joined so that the paddle works as the gear. When moved around (with hands, not by pedalling), it sprays the pesticides in the field. The front and the back wheels have been swapped to produce a larger pressure on the water inside the pump that comes out through a series of nozzles fitted into a long rod at the rear of the cycle.

India Agri Updates - 05Jan'15

1. Russia has been the largest export market for Indian Tea exporters. With Rouble sliding down, the commerce industry is being pressed to institute rupee payment mechanism for trade with Russia.

2. The Government will soon come out with guidelines to set up on-line Agri-platforms, on the lines of Amazon and Jabong, to promote hassle-free sale of farm produce and thereby help farmers get good returns.

3. Prices of jaggery (gur) and jaggery powder increased on demand for fast approaching festivals in Tamil Nadu.

4. The Government reduced the period of advance licensing import for Rubber from 18 months to six months. That means that the rubber will go out of the country within six months.

5. Due to subdued upcountry demand, Prices ruled lower for several tea varieties at Kochi auction last week. The quantity on offer in CTC dust grades was 10.23 lakh kg.

6. Sugar prices turned positive with gain of Rs.10-20 a quintal on the back of improved demand at market and mill level.

7.  The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University signed a pact with Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (BIC), Novosibirsk, Russia to establish a bio-refinery for chemicals and fuel production from biomass and to meet the dwindling reserves of crude oil supplies.

8. Indian Government is all set to launch Krishi Dak Service, a new scheme aimed at distribution of seeds of improved varieties of crops and vegetables to the farmers at their doorstep through post-offices. The scheme will be implemented first in 100 districts of 14 states through select Krishi Vigyan Kendras. 

India Agri Updates - 03Jan'15

1. The Synthite Group, a leader in oleoresin manufacturing, has expanded its contract farming activity in Andhra Pradesh for chilli by drawing an ambitious expansion plan for chilli growing and procurement. The expansion plan is part of the group’s target to be a Rs.3,000-crore company by 2020. The turnover of Synthite currently is Rs. 1,400 crore.

2. Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, which owns India’s premier dairy brand Amul, feels that going by the current supply situation, there is no likelihood of any price revision for milk in the next five to six months.

3. Coimbatore is set to host the Southern Regional Agricultural Fair and State-Level Farmers' Day from scheduled between January 6 and 9 at the farm varsity. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is organising this four-day event in association with the Union Ministry of Agriculture and the TN Government.

4. The Tea Board has begun implementing the plant protection code from January 1 to bring down usage of harmful pesticides and insecticides in plants. But small tea growers are worried a lot as they are of the view that the rules are confusing.

5. The virginia tobacco auctions in Karnataka have gathered momentum and so far 43 million kg of the crop have been sold on the 12 floors in the State at an average price of Rs.114.20 a kg, according to officials in the Tobacco Board.

INDIA Agri Updates-2nd Jan'15

1. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi has announced 3 job openings for the posts of assistant finance & accounts officer, with minimum Graduation Degree in any discipline.

Contact: Sr. Administrative Officer (Recruitment Cell), Directorate, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110012.

2. To eliminate pesticide residues in Organic foods, pro-organic groups demand proper systems to be in place.

3. A 10% tax duty will be imposed on Chick Pea imports to prevent cheaper imports and protect farmers.

4. To raise the productivity in Agriculture sector in INDIA,  McKinsey Global Institue (MGI) says 12 Technologies in 3 Broader categories would make a difference.

    a. Digitizing Life and Work — Mobile Internet, Cloud, Automation of Knowledge Work, Digital           Payments, and a Verifiable Digital Identity.
    b. Smart Physical Systems — Internet of Things, Intelligent Transportation and Distribution.                   Systems, Advanced Geographic Information systems (GIS), and Next-Generation Genomics
    c. Energy — Unconventional oil and gas (horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing), Renewable         Energy, and Advanced Energy Storage.

5. In Q3'14 (Oct-Dec) Coffee exports in India fell to 3.6% compared to previous year.

6. A remote controlled prototype of a drone-based solution that could cover a large area of the cropped area, take pictures and give a complete picture of soil health and the status of crops being developed by AirPix is demoed at the Tech Mahindra innovation centre.

7. On a day the Andhra Pradesh government notified the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), officials said cultivation will not be allowed in the proposed 30,000 acres across 29 villages for the next season, where the new capital under the Land Pooling Scheme (LPS) will be built.