Browse Data and Analysis

India’s organic agricultural, food, and retail sectors are going strong despite the COVID-19 pandemic in market year (MY) 2020/2021 (April-March).

In marketing year (MY) 2022 (January-December), FAS New Delhi (Post) forecasts India’s national cattle herd to reach 306.7 million animals, increasing by 1.2 million head from the 2021 tally.

India’s soybean production estimate for marketing year (MY) 2021/22 (October-September) is lowered to 10.8 million metric tons (MMT) on account of delayed and erratic rainfall.

FAS Mumbai (Post) forecasts market year (MY) 2021/2022 cotton production at 28.3 million (480 lb.) bales on an area of 12.6 million hectares.

On August 24, 2021, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry published a directive in the Gazette of India Extraordinary that will officially permit India to import 1.2 million metric tons (MMT) of soybean meal and soy cake derived from genetically engineered (GE) soybeans through October 31, 2021.

On July 30, 2021, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published on its website the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Third Amendment Regulations (2021).

Post’s sources inform that the Indian government is allowing for the import of up to 1.5 million metric tons (MMT) of foreign-origin soybean meal (including that derived from GE-soybeans) at a 16.5 percent basic customs duty.

On August 2, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued its Long-Range Forecast for rainfall during the second half (August-September) of the 2021 Southwest Monsoon.

FAS Mumbai (Post) forecasts market year (MY) 2021/2022 cotton production at 29 million (480 lb.) bales on an area of 12.9 million hectares.

On July 23, 2021, FAS New Delhi in collaboration with the Hyatt Regency Delhi, celebrated a “Taste of America” with a fabulous menu of inspired dishes.

Global prices for wheat and rice have risen during the past year due to lower production, export restrictions among major suppliers, and strong foreign demand.

India is lowering the basic import duty on lentils (HS 0713.40.00) from 10 percent to zero percent for all origins, except for U.S.-origin lentils.