RUBBER
Rubber prices recover slightly
rubberSPOT rubber rates improved on Thursday. Scattered buying from covering groups and purchase agents helped the market to recover slightly amidst thin trading. RSS 4 closed at Rs 50 against Rs 49.75 on Wednesday. At the Bangkok market RSS 3 ... More

SUGAR
Low output buzz props up sugar
SUDDENLY, sugar seems to be back in flavour. In the last 15 days alone, prices have surged by Rs 100-120 per quintal. Siel Ltd's `Mawana' and DCM's `Daurala' sugar are both quoting today at Rs 1,400 per quintal, compared to Rs 1,280-1,300 a ... More

TEA
NGO moves SC on starvation at Bengal tea gardens
THE West Bengal Network for Right to Food and Work, a non-governmental organisation, has alleged that more than 1,000 deaths have taken place during October-December 2003 on account of starvation in the tea gardens of Jalpaiguri district in North ... More

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Gold prices seen firm
Gold prices are on the rise again after recent comments from the US Federal Reserve Chairman, Mr Alan Greenspan, on the US interest rates. He indicated that he was in no rush to raise US interest rates despite strong economic growth. However, in ... More

FOODS & FOOD PROCESSING
Dabur Foods to set up Rs 20-cr multi-fruit processing plant
DABUR Foods Ltd, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Dabur India Ltd, has drawn up plans to establish a multi-fruit processing plant to support the growing domestic and export markets for packaged food. The Executive Director of Dabur India and ... More

OILSEEDS & EDIBLE OIL
Setback in Asian soyameal offtake on bird flu fears
OUTBREAK of avian influenza in as many as 10 Asian countries is threatening feed consumption by the poultry sector. Feed use in the Asian region is likely to decline with the disease causing considerable concern for the welfare of the region's ... More

COMMODITY MARKETS
Firm trend seen in castor oil
CASTOR oil prices during 2004 are unlikely to drop to lower levels but would remain steady and possibly follow the (strong) price tendency of other vegetable oils, Mr Vithaldas G. Udeshi, Chairman of Jayant Agro-organics Ltd, said. Castor crop ... More

EVENTS
Farmers' federation sets agenda for political parties
THE Federation of Farmers Associations has set an agenda for political parties and asked them to spell out stand on the issues raised by them. At a meeting convened by it here on Thursday, the federation has clearly let the political parties ... More