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On August 1, India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an above normal rains forecast for the second half (August to September) of the southwest monsoon. Cumulative rainfall as of August 11 was seven percent above the long period average (LPA), with central and southern India receiving 16 percent and 23 percent above normal rainfall respectively.

India is at a crossroads as it seeks to achieve its goals of becoming a top three economy, a significant supplier of value-added products, and a global political leader in the next 20 years. The road India is pursuing will require significant changes and improvements in its legal system, infrastructure, and domestic support policies, especially for agriculture.

On July 15, 2024, the Government of India’s Department of Consumer Affairs, Weights and Measures Unit/Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, published its proposal to amend Rule 3 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

On August 7, India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) published Office Memorandum L-11/1/2019-Trade (E-11542) granting another three-month extension in the implementation of the integrated veterinary health certificate for import of milk and milk products.

This report provides a list of consultants conducting market research and handling inquiries into Indian agriculture, agribusiness, food retail, food/agricultural economics, and rural affairs.

FAS India forecasts marketing year (MY) 2022/23 coffee production (Oct/Sep) at 6.25 million 60-kilogram bags, nine percent higher than the official USDA estimate on above normal southwest monsoon rains (Jun/Sep) expected to improve yields, especially for Robusta varieties in major growing regions.

On October 31, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published draft amendments [Notification F.No. STD/39-FA/Notification/2022 in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (Official Gazette)] (Appendix I). The notification was subsequently published on the FSSAI website on November 3, 2022.

On October 31, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published draft amendments [Notification F.No. STD/39-FA/Notification/2022 in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (Official Gazette)] (Appendix I). The notification was subsequently published on the FSSAI website on November 3, 2022.

On October 27, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published notification F.No. STD/FA/A-1.30/No.1/2020-FSSAI(P-I) in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (Official Gazette). The notification was subsequently published on the FSSAI website on October 31, 2022.

India remains undecided on genetically engineered (GE) crops, despite its regulatory authorities clearing on the environmental release of GE eggplant and mustard events. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) remains the sole crop derived from biotechnology (biotech) approved for commercial cultivation.

India’s hospitality sector, which was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has now recovered to pre-pandemic conditions and sales. The hotel, restaurant and institutional sector owes its rapid recovery to domestic travel and a return to in-person dining and catered events. By the end of 2022, a continued reduction in COVID-19 cases combined with improved consumer confidence for dining out, will drive demand for imported food products.

India’s domestic apple and pear production in market year (MY) (July-June) 2022/23 are estimated at 2.35 million metric tons (MMT) and 311,000 metric tons (MT), respectively. Favorable rainfall in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has augmented yields and will lead to increased exports. Market year 2022/23 apple imports are estimated at 430,000 MT.