Platinum in 2009 will average 25 per cent more than previously forecast because of power shortages in South Africa, where more than three quarters of the metal is produced, Merrill Lynch &amp; Co said.

Platinum to surge 25% on 2009 forecast

Business Standard

India for the first time has achieved foreign exchange worth Rs 4,435.50 crore through the export of spices in the last financial year, compared to Rs 3,575.75 crore revenue in FY07.

Spice exports at Rs 4,400 cr in FY08

Press Trust of India

Gold has outperformed equities in the last six months, but opinion is divided on whether this is the right time to enter the metal.

The Yellow fever

&nbsp;Base metals are likely to exhibit a mixed trend this week. Copper may trade sideways on expectations that slowing global economic expansion will curb the growth in demand, while other metals seem headed upwards.

Mixed trend awaits base metals

Turmeric is expected to trade in a range-bound to firm manner after having shot up beyond Rs 4,000 a quintal this season.

Turmeric seen range-bound

The good demand scenario from poultry and starch industries, besides the exports market, stoked bullishness in maize last week.

Maize set for a bull run

The investment in wine industry in Maharashtra has increased by 32.80 per cent in the financial year 2007-08, against Rs 247.71 crore in the previous year, with the establishment of new wineries.

Maharashtra wine industry FY08 investment up 32.8%

Gold, considered the safest investment option at times of crisis, is likely to shoot up by 4-5 per cent in the futures market this week as oil prices are surging and driving up the inflationary pressure and weakening dollar, say analysts.

Gold futures may surge on inflation

The domestic gems and jewellery industry, that currently accounts for exports worth $18 billion (Rs 72,000 crore) can touch the target of $37 billion (Rs 148,000 crore) of exports by 2015, if the sector is transformed from family-owned to professionally-managed business, a study done by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has said.

Jewellery exports may touch $37 bn

India needs to diversify its mineral export basket and intensify exploration activity with a suitable incentive framework to attract private sectors and foreign investments, says a study by Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).

Need to diversify mineral export basket: Study

Bumper local production coupled with high prices on good overseas demand has helped Indian oilmeal exporters to double their shipment in May despite the crushing season came to standstill locally.

Oilmeal exports up by 101% in May

Faced with a Supreme Court order for clearing dues to sugarcane growers, sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh are seeking a fresh extension of eight weeks for clearing the dues.

UP mills seek time to clear cane dues

The month of May brought good tidings for Indian oilmeal exporters as they were able to double exports.

Oilmeal exports double in May

Asian stocks dropped, led by automakers and technology companies, on concern that surging oil prices and slowing US growth will derail earnings.

Asian stocks tumble

A fast-growing population coupled with changing consumption patterns could push up food demand in the Asian region by 3.8 per cent every year in the next 10 years, higher than the world demand, a study said.

Asia`s food demand to rise 4% per yr

Import of natural rubber (NR) came down by 38.3 per cent in April and May, while its export registered only a marginal drop, according to fresh estimates of the Rubber Board.

NR import dips 38% in April-May

India is not the only country forced to clamp a ban on futures trade in certain farm commodities caught in a price spiral.

Futures trade under lens in India, US

A four-day long rising spree was snapped as gold dropped by Rs 210 to Rs 12,495 per 10 gm on the bullion market here on Tuesday on stockists selling influenced by a weakening global trend.

Gold drops by Rs 210 on global cues

Asian stocks fell the most in three months as widening credit-market losses and the prospect of higher borrowing costs fanned concern earnings will decline.

Asian stocks drop

Cartels in farm commodities were the greatest critics of futures trading in these commodities as they feared losing pricing power, according to Abhijit Sen panel report on futures trade.

Cartels oppose futures in farm items: Sen panel

While China might have overtaken India as the largest tea producer a couple of years ago, it is now Sri Lanka and Kenya that seem to be giving India a run for its money in the tea export market.

Indian tea exports losing out to Sri Lanka and Kenya

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