Indian business media

NFL's June 2026 urea tender drew bids of $444.9 to $449.3 per tonne CFR, more than 50% below the April IPL tender prices of $935-959/tonne. The collapse is attributed to China easing urea export restrictions and re-entering the market as a competitive supplier.

“India's latest urea tender quotes a price over 50% lower than the May round, as China's re-entry into the export market restored supply.”

India's vegetable oil imports rose 13% to 7.94 million tonnes in H1 2025-26 (November 2025 to April 2026), driven by a palm oil surge. Palm oil imports nearly doubled to 3.97 million tonnes from 2.74 million tonnes. In value terms, H1 imports climbed 19% to Rs 87,000 crore from Rs 73,000 crore. Palm oil prices rose 14-15% year-on-year; soybean and sunflower oil prices rose 17-22%.

“India's vegetable oil imports jumped 13% in H1 2025-26, driven by palm oil nearly doubling to 3.97 million tonnes as buyers shifted away from more expensive soft oils.”

Reports DGFT notification details and the market context: India's sugar production for 2025-26 estimated at 27.9 million tonnes against domestic consumption of 28.3 million tonnes, with closing stocks at only 4.3 million tonnes (a 1.8-month buffer). Notes that the sugar sector reacted with 'shock and awe,' as the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution had reaffirmed on April 7 that there were no plans for export controls, then reversed within five weeks.

“DGFT changed the export policy for sugar from 'restricted' to 'prohibited' until September 30, 2026, to enhance domestic availability and prevent price rises.”

Reports the Centre lifting its ban on wheat and wheat product exports on February 13, 2026, more than three years after the original May 2022 ban. India permitted 2.5 million tonnes of raw wheat and 500,000 tonnes of wheat products (flour, semolina). The decision followed FCI stocks reaching more than triple the mandatory buffer requirement and domestic wheat prices rising above MSP.

“Centre lifted the ban on wheat and wheat product exports after more than three years; 2.5 million tonnes of wheat and 500,000 tonnes of products permitted.”

Agriculture Ministry's third advance estimate put 2025-26 wheat production at 120.65 million tonnes, 2.29% higher than the previous year, a record crop despite localised damage from unseasonal rains and hailstorms. Industry estimates more conservatively peg actual output at 110-111 million tonnes.

“India's wheat output pegged at a record 120.65 million tonnes in 2025-26 despite uneven weather, according to the government's third advance estimate.”