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The ongoing conflict in West Asia has started to impact exporters in the Bikaner region, with shipments of popular food items, such as bhujia, papad and spices to Gulf and European countries facing severe disruptions, traders said. Bikaner, known for its namkeen industry, exports large quantities of snacks, spices and other products to countries in the Gulf region and Europe. However, exporters said, the war has led to delays, rising freight costs and container shortages, affecting exports and imports. Ashish Agarwal, a namkeen trader associated with the Bhikharam group, said escalating input and logistics costs are hurting the industry. "Freight charges have increased sharply due to the war, and raw material prices are also rising. The cost of edible oil has gone up by around 20 per cent in the last one month, which is directly impacting production," he said. Exporters said container movement has slowed significantly, with shipments that earlier took around 30 days now taking up
India's exports have sustained healthy momentum despite global headwinds and are expected to post positive growth in 2025-26, a senior official of the commerce ministry said on Friday. The exports and imports data for the month of March and the full 2025-26 fiscal year will be released by the commerce ministry on April 15. "At the end of March 31, despite the war, we will be closing the year with positive growth. US tariffs, so many disturbances all through the year, Ukraine war is continuing, Iran war started, despite all, merchandise, exports have maintained their momentum," the official said. The country's merchandise exports dropped marginally by 0.81 per cent year-on-year to USD 36.61 billion in February, and the trade deficit narrowed to USD 27.1 billion compared to the previous month. Cumulatively, exports during April-February 2025-26 rose 1.84 per cent to USD 402.93 billion. Imports grew by 8.53 per cent to USD 713.53 billion during the period, leaving a trade deficit of U
The government has extended fiscal benefits under the RoDTEP scheme for exporters by six months, until September 30, amid disruptions to global trade caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis. The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme, launched in 2021, provides for a refund of taxes, duties and levies that are incurred by exporters in the process of manufacturing and distribution of goods, and not being reimbursed under any other mechanism at the Centre, state or local level. Refunds under the scheme range from 0.3 per cent to 3.9 per cent. The scheme was valid till March 31, this year. "Eligible exports made during the period from April 1 to Sep 30, 2026 shall continue to be entitled to RoDTEP benefit at the rates and value caps in force as on March 31, subject to the existing terms and conditions of the scheme," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification. The budget allocation under the scheme for 2025-26 was Rs 18,232 ..
India's oilmeal exports to China surged over 20-fold to 7.79 lakh tonnes in the first eleven months of this fiscal, following higher demand due to lower prices compared to competitors, according to industry body SEA data. Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA), however, said the exports could face a challenge going forward. India exported 7,79,016 tonnes of oilmeals, mainly rapeseed meal, to China during April 2025-February 2026 against 38,240 tonnes in the corresponding period of the preceding financial year. China imported 7,71,435 tonnes of rapeseed meal and 7,581 tonnes of castorseed meal during the first eleven months of this fiscal. SEA Executive Director BV Mehta attributed the surge in exports to competitive pricing against European suppliers. Indian rapeseed meal is currently priced around USD 225 per tonne (FOB/FAS Kandla), making it cheaper than rapeseed meal Hbg ex-mill at USD 297 per tonne, he said. "In March 2025, China imposed a 100 per cent tariff on Cana
The Bharat Chamber of Commerce (BCC) wrote to RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, urging supportive banking measures for exporters reeling under disruptions in global logistics and shipping routes caused by ongoing tensions in West Asia. In a letter on Monday, it said West Asia serves not only as a key destination for Indian exports but also as a critical transhipment hub for shipments bound for Europe and Africa. "The ongoing situation has led to diversion of shipping routes, port congestion, higher freight and insurance costs, and extended transit periods, straining working capital cycles and liquidity positions of exporters," it said. The BCC urged RBI to encourage banks to adopt a supportive credit approach by enhancing working capital limits, providing ad-hoc credit facilities, and extending the tenure of pre-shipment and post-shipment export credit. Greater flexibility in rollover of packing credit and extension of due dates for export bills was also sought. It also requested ...
India's gem and jewellery exports witnessed a 5.79 per cent on-year decline in January to USD 2,238.54 million amid global trade headwinds and tariff-related pressures in key markets, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said on Friday. The overall exports stood at USD 2,376.02 million in January 2025, for the same period of the previous year, GJEPC said in a statement. However, overall exports remained steady during the April 2025-January 2026 period with a marginal decline of 0.64 per cent at USD 23,185.87 million, as compared to USD 23,334.73 million for the same period of the previous year. The export outcome was significantly influenced by a sharp contraction in shipments to the United States, India's largest gem and jewellery export destination, where exports declined by over 45 per cent due to elevated tariffs and pricing disadvantages. Meanwhile, India has successfully diversified its export markets, and during April 2025 - January 2026, exports to the Uni
India's imports from China have declined in multiple sectors such as fertilisers, chemicals, iron and steel and man-made yarn in 2024-25, Parliament was informed on Friday. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said mobile phone imports have decreased from Rs 48,609 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 3,710 crore in 2024-25. On the other hand, the export of mobile phones has increased from Rs 1,566 crore in 2014-15 to more than Rs 2,05,017 crore in 2024-25. "In 2024-25, a decline in imports from China was observed across several sectors compared to the previous year. For example, imports fell sharply in fertilisers (61.4 per cent), followed by residual chemicals and allied products (19.7 per cent), iron and steel (10.3 per cent), and man-made yarn (9.5 per cent)," he said. He added that the government encourages Indian business establishments to explore alternative suppliers and to diversify their supply chains to reduce dependency on .