The prospects of kharif crops has not been adversely affected as the distribution of rainfall in the current SW Monsoon has been even so far according to the mid-monsoon review of India Meteorological Department (IMD) and recent crop weather watch group report of the union agriculture ministry.

Pulses importers stay away

Import of pulses over the past couple of weeks seem to have slowed down substantially for at least three main reasons. Accordingly, no fresh import activity is likely to take place at least till October this year. First, the government in June decided to rope in State Trading Corporation (STC) for pulses imports and distribute the same to the masses through the NAFED and the public distribution system to quell any fears of protein shortage when the elections are round the corner.

Orissa turmeric for exports

Orissa is gearing up to grow turmeric by using bio-fertilisers as there is a demand for the spice in the global market.The state has selected Phulbani district for growing the special turmeric. The district already produces about 2000 tonnes of turmeric per annum, for which there is a good demand as the tribal farmers use natural fertilisers.

Coffee stays afloat on ICA extension

IF the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) had not been extended, coffee prices would have crashed further, according to sources in the Coffee Board. The sources told The Financial Express that the executive council of ICO has unanimously decided to continue with the existing International Coffee Agreement for two more years.

Changing styles to boost gem exports

The coloured gemstone trade may find vast opportunities to sell a wide range of its goods, if it carefully follows the changing styles and attitudes of both men and women in regard to studded jewellery. This observation was made at the recent ICA Congress-1999 in Italy by Jaipur-based jeweller, Rashmikant Durlabhji in his key-note address to the congress of which he is afounder-member.

Hindustan Copper for hedging risks

India's largest primary copper major Hindustan Copper is weighing options of hedging to erase some amount of volatility in copper prices which has been responsible for plumetting fortunes of the company. P Parvthisem told The Financial Express that hedging which was being thought of an option would be implemented with enough caution. "This would be a mode to avoid speculation in prices", he said.

Phthalic anhydride: No revival in Asia Downstream petrochemical phthalic anhydride (PAN) market is looking up, after nearly two years of huge oversupplies vis-a-vis demand. The markets for PAN and plasticisers (where PAN is a raw material) are showing encouraging demand trends particularly in Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, China and to an extent Indonesia, from where dumping was rampant. But the last couple of years have taken their toll.

Eica cotton futures trading picks up

Trading in cotton futures at the East India Cotton Association,the leading cotton trading centre in the country, is said to have picked up "considerably" during the week ended Saturday, August 7, thanks to the user-friendly norms adopted by the association. The changed trading norms at EICA have been successful in luring traders.