Despite an increase in international prices of white sugar, the domestic sugar market continues to struggle under the pressure of rising imports. The imports remain unabated as sugar from various parts of the world is pouring into the country. Speaking to The Financial Express, S L Jain, director-general, Indian Sugar Mills' Association (ISMA) said that international prices relevant to the Indian market had not increased much.

Chilli prices may start declining shortly

Chilli prices at the Navi Mumbai's wholesale market are maintaining a steady trend stance for the last few weeks but may start declining during the beginning of next month. A leading commission agent at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) (Vashi) said that at present chillies of Guntur variety are hovering in the range of Rs 2,700 to Rs 3,400 per quintal.

Sugarcane supply in TN to fall

Sugarcane availability in Tamil Nadu for the 1999-2000 sugar season is set tofall by about 10 lakh tonnes. The state which is expected to crush 170 lakh tonnes in the current season will have only about 160 lakh tonnes for the next season. The decline is on account of perceptible fall in cane availability in the case of co-operative sugar units. These mills which are expected to crush about 75 lakh tonnes of cane in the current season have managed to register cane only about 60 lakh tonnes.

Lack of seeds hits spice farming

Absence of effective extension work and non-availability of high quality planting materials have resulted in a wide gap between the spices research institutes, which develop high yielding varieties, and the farmers. Despite forecasts of higher production in certain spice crops this year, scientists feel that the country's millions of small farmers are yet to enjoy the fruits of their research.

Tea prices in south take a dive

Tea prices in the south have taken a downward slide resulting in much discomfort for the big and small producers, whohave major interests in this region of the country. Prices have plummetted to the lowest level in recent times. According to a top industry official, this trend is likely to continue unless exporters come up in a big way with renewed demand. The slide is sharper when compared to last year's levels.

Tyre makers demand lifting of ban

Following a rise in market prices of natural rubber, ATMA has asked the commerce ministry to lift the ban on imports under Advance License Scheme. In a submission to the commerce secretary the association pointed out that as the market price of natural rubber had risen above the bench-mark price there was no justification for continuation of the import ban.

Six more kimberlites located in Canada

Exploration for diamonds in the Alberta region of Canada has led to location of six more kimberlites in the first quarter of 1999, according to reports reaching here. This takes the number of kimberlites identified there so far, to 32 since the project began in 1997.This joint venture project has three partners.

Asian gold demand gains on low price

Gold prices at 20-year lows have boosted physical demand in Asia but not enough to banish market blues over central bank gold sales, trader said. Gold has fallen about $30 since May 7 when the British Treasury announced plans to sell more than half of Britain's gold reserves. Physical demand was strong in Southeast Asia because of recovering economies and comparatively peaceful elections in Indonesia.

Venezuelan aluminum unit sell-off

The long-delayed privatisation of Venezuela's aluminum complex will not be completed this year, although some of it could begin to pass into private hands, a senior government official said. The previous government of Rafael Caldera failed on three attempts to sell a 70 per cent stake in the four-company Corporacion Aluminios de Venezuela.

Crude throughput dips at Haldia dock

Crude throughput dipped at the Haldia oil jetty under the Calcutta Port Trust during theweek from June 4 to June 10 as no Suezmax tankers called at the Saugor anchorage, a point 50km upstream of the Sandheads, because of bad weather.

Plan to boost textiles exports to EU

Undettered by the high number of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy cases launched against it by the European Commission, the Indian textile industry is pressing ahead with a healthy growth in exports to the region and has indeed ambitious plans for the future. With the free market on the anvil, India is betting on capturing a much larger chunk of the global textiles market, at the expense of some fellow Asian nations.

Yarn export target fixed at $1450 m

The target for exports of cotton yarn from the country in 1999-2000 is fixed at a much lower level of US$ 1450 million, compared with US$1600 million fixed for the earlier year. It may be interesting to note that the target for 1998-99 was initially fixed at US $1700 million, but when after a few months it was realised that it was too high to materialise, it wasslashed to US$1600 million.

Scribe meet on technology transfers

Technology transfer from research centres to where it matters most is always a contentious issue. On most occasions, the researchers claim that their findings are left unnoticed within the paraphernalia of laboratories and people who need it cries out `nothing is being done for us,' may be, to camouflage their ignorance.