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India is heading for a record wheat harvest this marketing year (MY) thanks to highly favorable weather conditions in the major wheat growing areas. FAS New Delhi (Post) forecasts MY 2022/2023 (April-March) wheat production at a record 110 million metric tons (MMT) from 30.9 million hectares, and up from last year’s record 109.6 MMT from 31.1 million hectares.

On March 29, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued directive Std/SP-05/T(Nutraceutical-2022) [E-5184]. The directive states that the FSSAI has drafted a new framework and revised the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations (2016).

On March 29, 2022, India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry MOCI) issued Notification No. 63/2015-2020. This notification extends the unrestricted (free) import policy for pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) and urad/black gram lentils (Vigna mungo) to March 31, 2023 (favorable treatment had been set to expire on March 31, 2022).

The Indian government is prioritizing the country's food processing sector. The sector has a key role in connecting Indian farmers to domestic and international markets.

India’s oilseeds production in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (October-September) is expected to extend its momentum and reach 42.1 million metric tons (MMT), a one percent increase over the MY 2021/22 crop. Both rising animal feed demand and the anticipated growth in oilseed supply will further increase oil meal production by two percent to 20.7 million metric tons.

Australia and India have signed a new trade agreement, the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI ECTA). More than 85 per cent of Australian goods exports will have tariffs eliminated.

On March 3, 2022, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published a guidance document on the elimination of trans fats. The FSSAI document advises food manufacturers to test their products for trans-fats.

On March 16, 2022, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published a guidance document and new standard operating procedures setting maximum residue limits for pesticides in agricultural commodities and products. The commodities and products covered include: (a) feeds and fodder, (b) milk and milk products, and (c) meat and meat products.

FAS Mumbai (Post) wishes to bring to the attention of U.S. exporters of alcoholic beverages the possibility of participating in some of India’s upcoming key wine and distilled spirits tradeshows in 2022 – Brews and Spirits Expo 2022 (July 6-7), VIN-Expo 2022 (August 18-20), and ProWine 2022 (October 17-18).

FAS Mumbai (Post) forecasts MY 2022/23 cotton production will increase by five percent to 27.7 million 480 lb. bales on an area of 12.7 million hectares, two percent higher than last year. Yields are expected to improve by two percent to 475 kilograms per hectare on the expectation of a normal monsoon.

FAS New Delhi forecasts carabeef (which is derived from the Asian domestic water buffalo) and beef (bovine) production to rise in 2022 to approximately 4.5 million metric tons (MMT), an increase of nearly seven percent from the market year (MY) 2021 estimate of 4.2 million metric tons.

On February 3, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued directive SS-T017/1/2022-Standard-FSSAI [E4478]. The directive instructs food business operators to provide per serve percentage contributions for recommended dietary allowances (RDA) on the product label.