US dominates India’s almond and pistachio imports

American almonds constitute 93% of India’s almond imports, valued over $1 billion last year, and American pistachios 84%. Demand for dry fruits has grown due to health focus and higher incomes. The US almond market in India has grown due to strong marketing. Australia and Chile also contribute, while US seeks more trade concessions.

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has ended its anti-dumping investigation into Chinese fasteners. The probe was discontinued due to insufficient evidence of dumping and harm to Indian producers. The DGTR initiated the investigation on its own in September 2023. The decision aims to protect MSME producers against dumped goods from China.

India reduced customs duties on multiple products ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s US visit, aiming to ease trade tensions. The move targets better trade relations, given the US’s significant export market for India and the risk of reciprocal tariffs under the Trump administration.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underlined the sub-optimal bilateral trade between India and Israel, urging for a tenfold increase. With potential in sectors like technology and renewable energy, Goyal said he saw significant growth in trade and investments over the next 12-13 years.

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attributed the recent weakening of the rupee against the US dollar to a combination of global and domestic factors, including the dollar index, capital flows, and interest rate trends. The rupee depreciated 3.3% between October 2024 and January 2025, a smaller decline compared to other Asian currencies like the South […]

India’s thermal coal imports are expected to decline for the second consecutive year in 2025 due to reduced coal dependency for power generation, slowing economic activity, and high inventories. Imports fell around 2% to 173 million metric tons in 2024, driven by increased domestic production and competitive alternatives like petroleum coke preferred by the cement […]

The Indian government has pinpointed 20 countries including Australia, China, and France, along with six focus sectors in commodities and services, to boost exports. Meetings with Indian Missions aimed to foster multilateral trade and reduce logistical barriers, promoting initiatives like the E-connect Portal and One District One Product (ODOP) for enhanced market access.

President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to India resulted in several high-level business meetings, underscoring the potential for deeper trade and investment ties. Key sectors discussed include energy, digitalization, health, and manufacturing, with significant participation from prominent companies and ministers to drive bilateral economic growth.

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced a $100 billion FDI commitment from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc under the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. Set to be operational by the end of the year, this investment aims to drive $400-$500 billion in overall investments and create one million jobs within India’s […]

The Indian government has banned the export of raw human hair priced below USD 65 per kg due to concerns over smuggling affecting local industries. Major hubs like West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu supply most of the raw human hair collected from households and temples for the global beauty market.