COIR
High production cost remains coir industry's bane
THE high cost of production in the coir sector has become a major impediment to the growth of the industry in the State, at a time when world over, the markets have turned into a buyers' market where price and quality are of paramount importance. ... More

OILSEEDS & EDIBLE OIL
Foodgrains, oilseeds output seen at new high
BUOYED by copious monsoon precipitation, the country's production of foodgrains and oilseeds are expected to touch an all-time high of 212.20 million tonnes (mt) and 24.97 mt during 2003-04. This is in marked contrast to the drought-impacted ... More

Duty-free vanaspati from Nepal: Importers get more time
THE Government has given an additional three months reprieve to importers of vanaspati from Nepal to utilise their zero duty annual quota of one lakh tonnes (lt) for 2003-04. Under the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Trade entered into by the two ... More

COFFEE
Upturn persists in world coffee prices
The monthly average of the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) composite indicator price was 58.69 cents a pound as compared with 52.44 cents/lb in December and 49.81 cents/lb in November 2003. Despite rising prices, the fall in the dollar ... More

SPICES & CONDIMENTS
Cardamom auctions suspended as prices continue to decline
FALLING cardamom prices have forced auctioneers to suspend auctions in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The prices have been declining since the last fortnight and as a result, the Cardamom Processing and Marketing Company (CPMC), Kumily has suspended ... More

EXPORTS & IMPORTS
China's soyabean imports jump 80 pc
CHINA expanded its soyabean imports by 80 per cent in 2003 and reaffirmed its strong influence on world soyabean trade. In the process, not only did the country record a new high in terms of import volume, but also such imports exceeded ... More