How does a steelmaker achieve raw materials security? Either by way of owning mines, not an easy proposition though because of competition becoming increasingly intense in acquiring deposits or by using swaps in the derivatives field to hedge price volatility and thereby manage risk. SAIL and Tata Steel group&rsquo;s Indian operations have the benefit of total captive sourcing of iron ore and also partly for coking coal. But the other big steelmakers here like most of their peers abroad do not have this luxury.

Iron ore swaps may help price risk management

Business Standard

The nearly two-decade-old dream of shifting the diamond market from South Mumbai&rsquo;s Panchratna to a new location in Bandra-Kurla Complex is set to be become reality on October 17. The Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) will be inaugurated on Dussehra.

Bharat Diamond Bourse to finally open on October 17

The textile commissioner has suspended cotton exports registration saying they have received applications equivalent to the quantity earmarked for this season that is 5.5 million bales.

Registration for cotton exports suspended

Heavy rainfall in the central and southern districts of Kerala has badly hit the production of cardamom this season. The production of the spice is estimated to have declined 15 per cent due to extreme rainfall that caused widespread fungus infection in plantations.

Cardamom output may dip 15% on heavy rain

The Indian diamond jewellery processing industry is experiencing a shift in consumer behaviour. With the revival in post-economic slowdown, foreign orders and encouraging festival demand from local markets, consumers are opting for higher value-added stones now in each jewellery item. The realisation for per carat diamond processing has almost doubled in the past year.

Diamond processors' margins rise

The area under potato cultivation in Punjab would remain more or less same this year, as compared to 83,117 hectares last year. Experts mentioned that assured return from wheat as one of the reason. Besides that the prevailing price of Potato which is ruling around Rs 5-8 per kg in wholesale market as another reason, while during the corresponding period last year it was ruling around Rs 10-13 per kg.

Punjab: Potato area to be stagnant

Coffee planters in major growing regions are reluctant to contribute towards the price stabilisation fund scheme of the central government on the back of high prices in the recent time. They want more benefits to be associated with the contribution towards the fund.

In good times, coffee planters say no to price stabilisation scheme

Amid profit-booking by speculators and weak trend overseas, copper prices fell by 0.36 per cent to Rs 371.95 per kg futures trade today.

Copper futures weaken on profit-booking, global cues

Press Trust of India

Crude palm oil prices fell by Rs 3.10 to Rs 429.20 per 10 kg in futures trade today, as speculators reduced their holdings, driven by a weakening trend at spot markets.

Crude palm oil futures fall on subdued demand

Refined soya oil declined by Rs 4.50 to Rs 510.45 per 10 kg in futures trade today, as speculators indulged in profit-booking on slackness in demand at spot markets.

Refined soya oil futures slip on profit-booking

Jeera futures prices fell by Rs 63 to Rs 13,200 per quintal today, extending yesterday's losses, on continued off-loading of positions by speculators and hopes of rise in acreage in the upcoming season.

Jeera extend losses in futures trade on higher sowing

Coffee exports from the country will cross the targeted 2.1 lakh tonnes mark in the current fiscal by a wide margin, thanks to around 75 per cent jump in shipments in the first half, a top Coffee Board official has said.

'Coffee exports to cross targeted 2.1 LT mark in FY11'

After yesterday's losses, turmeric traded 1.18 per cent higher at Rs 11,298 per quintal in futures trading today, supported by pick up in demand at the physical markets on festive and marriage season.

Turmeric recovers 1.18% on spot demand

In range-bound movements, pepper traded a shade higher by 0.11 per cent at Rs 18,408 per quintal in futures market today on better demand at spot markets.

Pepper futures marginally up on spot demand

To tame the rising price trend of mentha oil futures, leading commodity bourse MCX today hiked the deposit money (margin) by 20 per cent on investors keen to participate in the futures trading of the commodity.

MCX hikes margin by 20% to tame mentha oil prices

Lead fell by 0.54 per cent, to Rs 101.90 per kg in futures trading today after speculators locked in gains at prevailing prices amid weak trend overseas.

Lead futures fall 0.54% on profit-booking

Nickel futures fell by 0.73 per cent to Rs 1,081.50 per kg today on profit-booking by speculators and a weak trend overseas.

Nickel succumbs to profit-booking in futures trade

Zinc futures shed 0.10 per cent to Rs 102.70 per kg today, as speculators reduced their positions, driven by a weak trend overseas.

Zinc weakens by 0.10% in futures trade

Cardamom prices rose by Rs 9.60 to Rs 976.00 per kg in futures market today, as speculators enlarged their positions, buoyed by strong demand in spot markets in view of festive season.

Cardamom gains 0.99% on strong demand

Crude oil prices fell by Rs 28 to Rs 3,698 per barrel in futures trade today, as speculators reduced their positions in tandem with a weak global trend.

Crude oil futures down 0.75% on global cues

Aluminium futures prices fell by 0.14 per cent, to Rs 105.70 per kg today after speculators booked profits amid weak trend overseas.

Aluminium futures down on profit-taking, global cues

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