Global coal output is estimated to have declined by 2% in 2020 due to COVID-19-related lockdowns and restrictions, with significant reductions observed in the US (23.6%), Indonesia (13.1%), Russia (8.1%) and Australia (5.5%). These were only partially offset by increases in China (4%) and India (0.7%). Additionally, during the last year, there was an estimated […]
The overall gems and jewellery exports declined by 25.71 per cent to Rs 1,85,952.34 crore during 2020-21 compared to the previous financial year on account of COVID-related disruptions, industry body GJEPC said. “2020-2021 was an exceptional year, yet the industry has shown resilience, adapted to the new normal and strived towards attaining recovery in exports […]
The cycle seems to have turned within a decade. Around 10 years ago, a wave of grape cultivation had gripped Maharashtra. Farmers ditched sugarcane and turned to grapes in huge numbers. Today, farmers are ditching grape farming and turning back to sugarcane cultivation. Fact is grape cultivation has turned costlier in the state. Grape vines require a lot of […]
India’s Southwest monsoon, which brings a majority of rainfall to the country, is expected to be normal this year, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. M Rajeevan, secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said the monsoon this year will be 98% of the Long Period Average with an error margin of plus and […]
India has kept the nutrient-based subsidy rates unchanged for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the current 2021-22 fiscal till further orders. For the last fiscal, the government had fixed the subsidy rate for nitrogen (N) at Rs 18.78 per kg, phosphate (P) at Rs 14.88 a kg, potash (K) at Rs 10.11 per kg […]
Copper has resumed its rally, as analysts and executives expect increasing demand and likely low supply to drive prices even higher. Copper prices surged to $9,000 a tonne this week. The industrial bellwether metal is crucial in the global push for a greener economy, and right now, the market is facing a supply crunch. US’s post-pandemic recovery […]
Global steel demand will grow by 5.8% in 2021 to reach 1,874.0 million tonnes (Mt), after declining by 0.2% in 2020, worldsteel forecast in its latest short range outlook on Thursday, adding that in 2022 steel demand will see further growth of 2.7% to reach 1,924.6 Mt. The current forecast assumes that the ongoing second […]
The Indian government is determined to implement compulsory hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts from June 1, amid rumours that the scheme’s rollout could be delayed. Hallmarking for gold jewellery started in April 2000 as a voluntary scheme. Around 40 per cent of gold jewellery sold in the country is being hallmarked at present. “No […]
Strong domestic demand, followed by healthy exports have aided India’s steel industry’s production and sales growth in the fourth quarter of 2020-21 on a sequential basis, say analysts. Revenues of steel companies are expected to improve 20 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 45-50 per cent from a year ago on higher realization and rising demand, led […]
Indian sugar mills have exported 24.9 lakh (2.49 million) tonnes of sugar so far in the ongoing 2020-21 marketing year ending September, with maximum shipments to Indonesia, trade body AISTA said. “Mills have contracted to export 3.33 million tonnes of sugar so far as against the 6 million tonnes quota assigned by the food ministry,” […]
