ARTICLE 5

China’s Ministry of Finance has announced a 34% retaliatory tariff on all U.S. imports, effective April 10, in response to new duties imposed earlier this week by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. According to state media outlet Xinhua, the Chinese government called on the United States to immediately cancel its unilateral tariff measures and resolve differences through “equal, respectful and mutually beneficial”

World cocoa, coffee, and sugar prices fell on Wednesday as investors reacted to former U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose heavy tariffs on U.S. imports, raising concerns about a potential decline in chocolate and coffee demand in one of the world's largest consumer markets.

The recent 26% tariff imposed by former US President Donald Trump is expected to boost the competitiveness of Indian cashews in the United States market, giving a significant price advantage over Vietnam. However, exporters warn that the long-term outlook may present increased competition from African producers, who face lower duties.

Kerala's black pepper production has seen a sharp decline over the past decade, with an estimated drop of 8-10% in yield, according to Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. This information was revealed in response to a question raised by M.P. Abdussamad Samadani in the Lok Sabha.

India has exported 198.65 lakh tonnes of rice by March 25 in the last fiscal year, surpassing the 163.58 lakh tonnes shipped during the entire 2023-24 financial year. Among this, 7.95 lakh tonnes of broken rice were exported, which is also being used as a feedstock for ethanol production.

In the coffee-growing heartland of Brazil, once-flourishing plantations are now turning dry and brittle as an unrelenting drought grips the region. As the world's largest coffee producer faces one of its most challenging growing seasons in recent history, fears of supply shortages are escalating, causing coffee prices to surge globally.

Rajasthan, India’s largest mustard-producing state, is expected to witness a decline in mustard production during the 2024-25 Rabi season, primarily due to lower sowing area and unfavorable weather conditions. The state, which contributes 45-49% to India’s total mustard output, is estimated to produce 5.5 million tonnes (mt) this year, down from 6.2 mt produced last year, as per data from the state agriculture department.

Beijing, March 31, 2025: China’s expanding livestock farming is driving a surge in oilseed imports, making the country a dominant player in the global oilseed market. As the largest importer of soybeans and a major buyer of rapeseed and sunflower products, China’s influence on global prices is increasing, putting it in direct competition with the European Union (EU).

The government informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday that over 60% of the wheat area sown during the 2024-25 rabi (winter) season was under climate-resilient varieties. Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Ramnath Thakur, made this announcement in a written reply, emphasizing the increasing use of improved wheat varieties that withstand changing climatic conditions.

With rising domestic demand and a supply shortfall on the horizon, India’s maize market is expected to remain tight in the coming months. High prices, coupled with increasing ethanol and feed consumption, could continue to restrict exports, while imports might play a more prominent role in meeting the shortfall. The government may need to strike a balance between ensuring domestic food security and maintaining competitiveness in the global maize trade.

Global coffee prices soared to their highest levels in years in 2024, rising by 38.8% compared to the previous year’s average, primarily driven by adverse weather conditions affecting key coffee-producing countries, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Moscow, March 26 (Interfax) — Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced that state support for the country's agricultural sector will exceed 500 billion rubles in 2025, as part of efforts to boost domestic production and control rising food prices.