Miners and traders came to accept in September that with industry across the globe facing grievous economic strain, sooner than later steel making raw materials like iron ore, metallurgical coal and ferrous scrap would come under pressure. But, they certainly were not prepared for the 16 per cent price fall in iron ore in the final week of last month. Reuters describes this as the most precipitous price slide in a week for one of the two most globally important dry bulk commodities, the other being coal. The benchmark 62 per cent iron content material traded at $181 a tonne as recently as September 7 and now traders will be lucky to make deals at $120 a tonne. In tandem, scrap is selling at its lowest for almost a year.

No respite for steel makers soon 

Business Standard

The central government has planned a push for cotton farmers on regulatory concerns. It also has financial help in mind.

Biotech Bill expected in winter session

India has emerged as a major player in the cotton sector and may overtake China in the next decade in output, if the government maintains policy consistency and effectively communicates research results to small growers, Terry P Townsend, executive director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee, tells Sanjay Jog.

Q&A: Terry P Townsend, International Cotton Advisory Committee

Buoyed by a firming trend overseas and a pick-up in demand in the domestic market, copper futures prices rose by 0.82% to Rs 387.25 per kg today.

Copper up 0.82% on global cues

Press Trust of India

Cardamom futures prices rose further by Rs 3 to Rs 695.50 per kg today, mostly in tandem with a firm spot demand for the marriage season.

Cardamom futures up on seasonal demand

Amid a firming trend overseas and a pick-up in domestic demand, lead traded higher by 0.35% to Rs 99.65 per kg in futures market today.

Lead futures up 0.35% on spot demand

Tracking a firming trend in base metals at the London Metal Exchange (LME) and spot demand, zinc futures prices today traded 0.25%% higher at Rs 96.75 per kg.

Zinc futures marginally up on firm global cues

Potato prices fell further by Rs 3 to Rs 671.50 per quintal in futures trade today, as traders offloaded their holdings at the existing increased levels tracking the a weak trend at the spot market.

Potato futures decline on slow demand

Mentha oil prices rose by Rs 5.10 to Rs 1,322.30 per kg in futures trade today, as speculators enlarged their holdings tracking a rising industrial demand in spot markets against restricted supply.

Mentha oil rises on industrial demand

Gold prices shot up further and came close to their all-time high levels at the domestic bullion market here on Tuesday on frantic stockists&rsquo; as well as an investment-driven buying spree boosted by a global rally. Silver also jumped on the back of heavy speculative buyout, coupled with a strong industrial demand.

Gold, silver gain on buoyant sentiment

Coffee growers have urged the Union ministry of commerce to waive an accumulated and capitalised interest of Rs 160 crore on special coffee term loans (SCTL) taken by small and medium growers from 2006 till June 30, 2011. They have also asked the ministry to reschedule the balance loan.

Coffee planters seek Rs 160-cr interest waiver

The Union government is considering granting agriculture status to the seafood industry, including aquaculture. This old demand of the seafood industry is expected to be fulfilled soon, according to sources. The proposal is now under consideration of the ministry of agriculture.

Seafood industry likely to get agriculture status

Maharashtra's sugar mills, which are striving to maintain their survival especially in the wake of widening mismatch between the cost of production and ex-mill realisation, have so far incurred a loss of Rs 600 crore. This was attributed to delays in the commencement of crushing season largely due to the ongoing agitation launched by the trade unions demanding the first advance of Rs 2,350 per ton and the final payment of Rs 3,300 per ton.

Maharashtra sugar mills incur loss of Rs 600 cr

Additional burden of Rs 2,500 crore on industry, besides Rs 600 crore of arrears in payments.

UP mills to pay 20% more for cane

Crude rose in Asia today as markets welcomed Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's announcement that he would resign after Rome adopted key reforms later this month, analysts said.

Oil up in Asia as Berlusconi says will resign

Gold futures climbed by Rs 105 to a fresh high of Rs 29,186 per 10 grams today, tracking a firming trend overseas as Europe's political turmoil spurred demand for the precious metal as an investment haven.

Gold futures hit fresh peak of Rs 29,186

Buoyed by a firming trend overseas and strong demand in the domestic market, silver continued on its winning streak in futures trade today, with prices rising by another 0.37% to Rs 59,944 per kg.

Silver rises 0.37% in futures trade

Copper prices rose by Rs 5.75 to Rs 392.85 per kg in futures trade today as speculators created fresh positions on the back of a firm global trend.

Copper futures up 1.5% on global cues

Tracking firming trend in the entire base metals pack overseas and strong spot demand from alloy makers, nickel futures prices rose by 0.70% today.

Nickel strengthens on global cues, spot demand

Crude palm oil prices rose by 0.57% to Rs 487 per 10 kg in futures trade today as speculators indulged in creating fresh positions on expectations of rise in demand due to the marriage season.

Crude palm oil futures up 0.57% on spot demand

Mentha oil prices fell by Rs 5.50 to Rs 1,324.30 per kg in futures trade today due to profit booking by the traders on falling demand in the spot market.

Mentha oil futures decline on profit-booking

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