Tomato prices set to drop with new crop arrival from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh: Government

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July 22, 2023

In light of the surge in tomato prices within the retail market, Minister of State of Consumer Affairs, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, expressed optimism that the prices are anticipated to decline soon. He pointed out that this reduction is likely to occur as the new crop from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh starts to arrive in the market.

This was in response to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha by MP Kartikeya Sharma in the Monsoon session of the Parliament.

The Consumer Affairs Minister emphasized that the Government has taken action to address the rising prices of tomatoes and ensure they remain affordable for consumers. To achieve this, they have initiated the procurement of tomatoes through the Price Stabilisation Fund, making them accessible to the public at significantly subsidized rates.

“The National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) are continuously procuring tomato from mandis in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra and making it available at affordable prices in major consuming centres in Delhi-NCR, Bihar, Rajasthan after subsidizing the price to the consumers,” the Minister stated.

“The tomatoes have been disposed initially at retail price of INR 90/kg which has been reduced to INR 80/kg from 16.07.2023 and further reduced to INR 70/kg from 20.07.2023,” the statement added.

According to the Minister, the recent surge in tomato prices could serve as an incentive for farmers to increase tomato cultivation, which, in turn, is expected to stabilize prices in the upcoming months.

As per the Minister’s statement, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW) enacts the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to safeguard growers of perishable agri-horticultural commodities from facing distress sales during periods of bumper crop production. This initiative aims to counteract the situation when prices drop below economic levels and the cost of production, thereby providing support to the farmers.

Nevertheless, he added that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has not received any proposals from State Governments to date for market intervention in order to tackle the distress sale of tomatoes.

Additionally, he stated that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries carries out Operation Greens with the aim of enhancing value addition and reducing post-harvest losses of agri-horticultural commodities, including tomatoes.

Sunflower oil and wheat prices surge in India as Russia suspends Black Sea grain deal

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July 22, 2023

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Sunflower oil and wheat prices are witnessing an upward trend in India due to Russia’s suspension of a deal that permitted the export of commodities from conflict-ridden Ukraine through the Black Sea.

In addition, soybean oil prices are also increasing due to adverse weather conditions in the US, which have negatively impacted soybean production in the country. The US is known as a major producer and exporter of soybeans.

Following Russia’s decision on July 17 to withdraw from the year-old agreement permitting the movement of grains and other foodstuffs through the Black Sea despite the Russian naval blockade, shipments of sunflower oil to India have come to a halt. Adding to the predicament, within the next two days, Russia carried out bombings on the Ukrainian grain port of Odesa, resulting in the reported destruction of over 60,000 tonnes of grain.

India meets its domestic demand for sunflower and soybean oils through imports. However, following the suspension of the deal, there has been a notable surge in sunflower oil prices, with an increase of nearly 8%.

“Prices of both sunflower and soyabean oils have started moving up,” said Sandeep Bajoria, Bajoria, CEO of Sunvin Group, a vegetable oil brokerage and consultancy firm. “If Russia does not extend the grain deal, then prices of sunflower oil go up further. On the other hand, dry weather conditions in the US have driven up the prices of soyabean oil by 5% in the last week.”

According to Bajoria, during the ongoing oil year spanning from October 2022 to November 2023, the demand for sunflower oil is projected to reach 3 million tonnes, a significant rise from the previous year’s 2.3 million tonnes. This increase in demand can be attributed to the lower cooking oil prices experienced compared to the previous year, which led to a growth in oil consumption. It’s worth noting that India typically imports around 14.5 to 15 million tonnes of oil annually.

Russia’s move has also put the consumer staple companies in a spot. “Even though the prices of imported sunflower oil have increased from $960 per tonne to $1030 per tonne in the last three to four days, we cannot increase prices at the retail end immediately,” said Pradeep Chowdhry, managing director of Gemini Edibles & Fats.

Following Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal, global wheat prices experienced a sharp increase. On Wednesday, wheat prices on the European stock exchange surged by almost 9% compared to the previous day, reaching $284 per tonne.

US wheat futures witnessed a significant surge of 8.5%, marking the highest daily increase since the outbreak of the war in February of the previous year.

“Prices of wheat are expected to go up by 15% in the next three to four months,” said Anjani Aggarwal, past president of the Roller Flour Millers Association of India. “The suspension of the grain deal will further give a fillip to the price hike.”

Simultaneously, the dry weather conditions in the US are a cause of concern for the Indian edible oil industry. As per the US Department of Agriculture’s June 30 acreage report, there is a 4.6% reduction in soybean acreage compared to the previous year, with the current figure standing at 83.5 million acres.

Woman brings 10 kg of tomatoes from Dubai amid price surge – You won’t believe why!

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July 22, 2023

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The escalating costs of tomatoes have become a recurring headline, grabbing attention frequently. From instances of tomato theft to acts of distributing them for free or selling at discounted rates bundled with other products, a variety of news stories are emerging these days. Adding to the current situation, a woman has recently brought 10 kg of tomatoes from Dubai as per her mother’s request, amid the ongoing surge in prices.

According to reports, a woman who was on a summer holiday visit to her mother in India from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) asked her mother if she wanted anything from the city known for its luxury shopping. Surprisingly, her mother requested her to bring 10 kg of tomatoes. The woman’s sister recently shared this incident on Twitter.

Under the Twitter handle @Full_meals, the woman’s sister wrote, “My sister is coming to India from Dubai for summer holidays with her children, and she asked her mother if she wanted something from Dubai, then the mother said to bring 10 kg of tomatoes. That’s why they have packed 10 kg tomatoes in suitcases and sent them.” Furthermore, she added, “Her sister had transported the tomatoes from Dubai to India by packing them in Pearlpet storage jars, which were then placed in her bag.”

My sister is coming to India from Dubai for her children's summer holidays and she asked my mum if she wanted anything from Dubai and my mother said bring 10 kilos of tomatoes. ?? And so now she has packed 10kg tomatoes in a suitcase and sent it.
I mean…….
— Revs 🙂 (@Full_Meals) July 18, 2023

As soon as this tweet came, this amusing story went viral and has so far been viewed 54.4 thousand times and people are giving funny reactions to this tweet. People are commenting on what will they do with such a numerous amount of tomatoes, to which Revs replied, “As a family we use a ridiculous amount of tomatoes so my will make a like a pickle, a chutney, bring some for me.”

To this tweet, a Functional Nutritional Coach and Chef named Nayantara Bagla tweeted, “In this time of inflation, the best daughter award is probably going in that direction.”

Another person tweeted the statistics and wrote, “Tomatoes in Dubai cost 5.8-6 AED/kg – which accounts to ₹130/kg. In Chennai, depending on the quality you can get tomatoes between ₹125-135. I think your mother was being nice and being funny. We are not adding the ₹10k one-way flight OR the fact that Dubai imports tomatoes from India.”

Indian Railways introduces INR 20 budget-friendly meals for general-class passengers

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July 22, 2023

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The Indian Railways has taken a significant step by introducing budget-friendly meals tailored exclusively for passengers traveling in general-class coaches. With a strong focus on affordability, they have set the price of each economy meal at just INR 20, while offering snacks at a reasonable INR 50.

As per the notification issued by the railway board, these food options will be conveniently served through extended service counters strategically positioned on platforms adjacent to general-class coaches.

The menu offers a diverse selection of both South and North Indian cuisine, encompassing dishes such as aaloo-pooris, rice, pao-bhaji, masala dosa, khichdi, and chole kulche/bhature, among others.

Additionally, the railway board has made arrangements to provide packaged drinking water at a reasonable cost.

The introduction of extended service counters at railway stations is being carried out on a trial basis for a period of six months. Currently, the service is already operational at 51 stations, and it is set to be extended to an additional 13 stations.

The Railways has also decided to address the needs of lower-income groups, particularly those who work as manual laborers, by introducing a set of trains tailored to their requirements. These thoughtfully designed trains will feature a combination of sleeper and general-class coaches, ensuring that passengers from all walks of life can travel comfortably. The Railway’s compassionate approach aims to provide affordable and accessible transportation options for those who need it most. To achieve this, these special trains will be equipped with 22 to 26 coaches, accommodating a substantial number of passengers in a budget-friendly manner.

Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 concludes with a strong pledge to elevate global food safety standards and cooperation

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July 22, 2023

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The Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 came to a close on Friday after two days of deliberations, with a firm commitment to enhancing food safety systems worldwide.

Suman Berry, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog delivered the concluding address at the Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 in the presence of Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, S P Singh Baghel.

Hosted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the summit featured keynote addresses and technical sessions focused on global food safety and regulatory frameworks.

Addressing the Valedictory Session of the Global Food Regulatory Summit 2023, Suman Berry, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog said that “this summit has been a pivotal platform for international cooperation in addressing food safety challenges”. He stated that adulteration of food is a serious problem affecting the fabric of society.

Suman Berry praised the FSSAI for swiftly enhancing its regulatory standards, acknowledging the urgency. However, Berry also emphasized the considerable challenges arising from India’s intricate food landscape, urging the need for prompt and effective solutions.

He underscored the importance of fortifying food safety scientific standards and implementing stringent regulations to combat food adulteration and counterfeiting. Additionally, he placed significant emphasis on the necessity for collaboration between the government, industries, and other stakeholders to successfully achieve this objective.

He also highlighted the importance of empowering consumers through awareness campaigns and promoting safe hygiene practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

S P Singh Baghel stated that “there is a pressing need for continuous improvement and innovation in food safety systems to keep pace with emerging food trends and habits.” He further added that it is crucial to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among food regulators, align standards, share best practices and establish common frameworks to achieve this.

The Union Minister also applauded the efforts of the organizing team for diligently putting together this two-day summit. He said that “the Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 will serve as a timely intervention in addressing global food safety challenges and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of zero hunger, good health and well-being”.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan appreciated the wide-ranging discussions on a range of food safety aspects such as food processing, anti-microbial resistance and regulatory frameworks. He noted that food safety is a multi-stakeholder enterprise involving farmers, industries, regulators etc.

He underlined the importance of taking up good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practices and efficient regulation towards ensuring food safety. He also stated that this summit provided a fillip to these efforts by bringing in all stakeholders under one platform.

FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao presented an overview of the discussions that took place over the course of the two-day event. He thanked the participating dignitaries for giving their valuable inputs to this summit and hoped that this summit will spur the way for further negotiations towards ensuring safe food supply.

The Global Food Regulators Summit was inaugurated on July 20 by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya. It brought together food regulators from around the world to exchange perspectives and knowledge on crucial issues related to food safety systems.

Various initiatives including Food-o-Copoeia, a collection of food category-wise monographs and a single point reference for all applicable standards for a specific product; ‘SaNGRAH’ – Safe food for Nations: Global food Regulatory Authorities Handbook and a Common Digital Dashboard were launched during the inauguration ceremony.

The Summit marked a significant step forward in promoting international cooperation, knowledge sharing and cross-learning to create a safer and more sustainable global food system. The shared commitment and expertise exhibited during the summit will undoubtedly drive positive change and safeguard the well-being of consumers worldwide.

Inoshi Sharma, Executive Director, FSSAI and senior officials from MoHFW, other line ministries and FSSAI were present on the occasion.

India Hemp and Co. launches Hempboocha, India’s first hemp powered beverage

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July 22, 2023

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Proudly crafted in Bangalore, India Hemp and Co. has become Asia’s pioneer in hemp-based food products. Now, they are revolutionizing the market yet again by launching the first hemp-based kombucha in India.

Hempboocha is a harmonious fusion of the finest kombucha, made from hibiscus flowers, strawberries, lemon, and hemp seeds. By harnessing the benefits of hemp and combining them with the time-honored art of fermentation, Hempboocha offers a harmonious and refreshing experience like never before.

One crucial fact about Hempboocha is that hemp seeds do not contain THC, making it a non-hallucinogenic beverage. This means you can enjoy Hempboocha without any psychoactive effects. Hemp seeds have gained global recognition for their superfood status and medicinal properties, and they have been incorporated into various foods, drinks, and beauty products.

Packed with a rich blend of probiotics, antioxidants, and essential nutrients, Hempboocha provides a wholesome and revitalizing experience. India Hemp and Co. has made significant strides in the hemp industry, including being the first hemp brand to appear on Shark Tank Season 1 India, and has played a pivotal role in establishing the hemp category in the country.

Jayanti Bhattacharya, the Co-Founder of India Hemp and Co., reveals the secret recipe for Hempboocha and shares, “We wanted our hempboocha to be nutritionally rich while still capturing the distinctive hemp flavor that we adore. In addition to hemp, we have carefully selected strawberries, hibiscus flowers, and lemon to achieve the perfect balance of flavors in Hempboocha.”

Shalini Bhattacharya, Co-Founder of India Hemp and Co., explains, “By offering Hempboocha in cans, we ensure safe delivery throughout India without compromising on flavor. It is best served chilled and also serves as the perfect healthy mixer for enjoyable cocktails. With our hemp-based kombucha, we are setting a new benchmark in the beverage industry, demonstrating our commitment to innovation, health, and sustainability.”

Crafted in association with Kombucherie Private Limited in Bangalore, Hempboocha is available for purchase at INR 260 per 250ml can in India. Customers can conveniently find Hempboocha on India Hemp and Co.’s website, as well as through retail outlets across the country.

ONDC and NSE subsidiary collaborate to launch e-commerce academy for sellers

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July 22, 2023

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The Government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) initiative has joined forces with a subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to establish an academy aimed at equipping sellers and network participants with essential knowledge on conducting e-commerce business through user-friendly methods.

According to Sanjiv, the Joint Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the ONDC Academy is currently focused on delivering learning content in both text and video formats. This content aims to educate sellers on the efficient management of their operations on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

Citing an example, he said a villager without any knowledge of e-commerce can learn how to make a seller app (without technical know-how) with a technology service provider to aggregate all sellers from a nearby marketplace to make these products available online.

Sanjiv stated that all the steps in the onboarding process, along with their associated activities, have been transformed into interactive videos, effectively conveying the process in a meaningful way.

In e-commerce, the main stakeholders include sellers, buyer apps, and logistics providers.

“The academy is a repository of educational and informative textual and video content. It will provide a curated learning experience providing guidance and best practices for a successful e-commerce journey with fewer setbacks,” he added.

As the academy grows, the learning modules will cater to various roles within ONDC, including programmes for sellers as well as buyer network participant, and will be available in multiple Indian languages.

The academy will empower sellers and network participants to make informed decisions, provide best practices to manage the online business efficiently including content from industry experts and provide a forum to seek views from experts.

It would also enable certification issued by NSE Academy to individuals completing an assessment developed by the institute, which provides a badge to validate their correct understanding of managing operations across the network.

ONDC Chief Executive Officer T Koshy said the learning modules will cater to various roles within the network.

It will provide interactive videos and learning materials related to digital commerce offering programmes in multiple Indian languages.

ONDC, a Section 8 company, was incorporated on December 31, 2021.

It is a DPIIT initiative to create a facilitative model to help small retailers take advantage of digital commerce. It is not an application, platform, intermediary, or software but a set of specifications designed to foster open, unbundled, and interoperable open networks.

Troo Good expands operations with high-tech facility in Chhattisgarh

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July 22, 2023

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Troo Good, the leading millet snacking brand in India, has recently opened its fifth state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Durg, Chhattisgarh. The new facility spans an impressive 6000 sq. ft., further enhancing the brand’s production capacity alongside its other allied facilities in the state. The inauguration ceremony was a momentous occasion, graced by the esteemed presence of Smt. Anila Bhediya, the Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development of the Government of Chhattisgarh, along with other distinguished guests.

Located conveniently near the brand’s sources of raw materials, the Durg facility is poised to revitalize the local economy by creating numerous job opportunities and fostering significant economic growth. With an impressive annual production capacity of 720,000 millet-based snack bars, Troo Good is committed to promoting women’s participation in its operations and forging partnerships with women’s self-help groups. This dedication to gender inclusion and community involvement reflects the brand’s socially responsible approach to business.

The cutting-edge factory showcases an automated manufacturing line, complete with advanced mixing machines, rollers, crushers, roasters, and manually operated cutting machines. To uphold the highest standards of quality and hygiene, the facility also incorporates temperature control equipment, drying tables, and packing machines, ensuring that every product meets unparalleled quality and hygiene levels.

In line with Troo Good’s innovative templatized factory model, this newly established facility facilitates rapid and efficient expansion of operations, ensuring they can effectively meet the rising demand. Committed to upholding the brand’s core principles of ‘Local Hiring’, ‘Local Procurement’, ‘Local Manufacturing’, and ‘Local Selling’, the Durg facility plays a vital role in bolstering the end-to-end hyper-local economy of the region. Troo Good has already invested over RT 1 crore to establish this facility, adding to their existing manufacturing sites in Hyderabad, Telangana, Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh, as well as three other locations in Chhattisgarh (Awari, Bijapur, and Durg).

This expansion represents a remarkable milestone for Troo Good, as the recently established facility is projected to elevate its revenue from INR 53 crore in FY 22-23 to successfully reach the brand’s ambitious revenue target of INR 100 crore for FY 23-24. With an extensive presence, Troo Good’s millet chikkis are now accessible in over 30,000 outlets nationwide, spanning from Kirana stores to modern trade, solidifying the brand’s prominent position in the competitive snacking market.

Raju Bhupathi, Founder and CEO of Troo Good said, “We are very excited about the launch of our latest manufacturing facility in Chhattisgarh. Our products have been gaining steady popularity, nudging us to ramp up production by opening more templatized factories, that allow us to cater to the rising demand while helping us reduce operational and logistics costs. This is an important milestone in our national roll-out and we are confident of ensuring an exceptional experience with the product and service.”

Government-backed ONDC to sell discounted tomatoes amid soaring prices

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July 22, 2023

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It appears that the government-supported Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is about to receive an additional boost, as discussions are underway between the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) to offer discounted tomatoes on the platform within the Delhi/NCR region.

According to a report by news agency ANI, the ONDC platform is currently undergoing testing for the online sale of tomatoes. If all goes well, the government is planning to announce the sale of tomatoes on ONDC at a subsidized rate of INR 70 per kg in the near future, as stated by a reliable source.

The initial rollout of tomato sales on ONDC is expected to commence in Delhi/NCR, with plans to later expand to other cities.

The development comes at a time when the cost of tomatoes has skyrocketed to INR 160 per kg in certain parts of the country. In response to this concerning situation and to provide much-needed relief to the general population, the government has taken action. They have directed agricultural marketing agencies NCCF and NAFED to make tomatoes available at a subsidized price of INR 90 per kg. Subsequently, recognizing the urgency of the situation, the price was further decreased to INR 70 per kg, ensuring more affordable access to this essential commodity.

It must be noted that tomatoes are being sold for as much as INR 170 per kg by quick commerce platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart.

The latest development signifies the rising importance of ONDC, as it endeavors to expand its influence and impact. By introducing subsidized tomato sales in physical retail markets, the initiative aims to tap into a broader customer base, with a particular focus on targeting online shoppers. This strategic move is poised to provide a further push to ONDC, solidifying its position as a significant player in the distribution and e-commerce landscape.

The ONDC platform, launched last year, receives support from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. It functions as an open network with a primary objective of democratizing the ecommerce sector, facilitating the active involvement of small businesses.

Since its launch last year, the network has been steadily extending its reach to various cities and sectors. Just recently, ONDC announced its Beta launch in five additional cities, including Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, and Chennai. Furthermore, this month marked a significant achievement for the network, as it surpassed the milestone of processing 35,000 daily orders.

Moreover, having already made a disruptive impact on multiple sectors such as food delivery and grocery delivery, the platform is now setting its sights on entering the fintech space.

Fabindia and Dolomite Restaurants team up for Jamie Oliver’s cafe expansion in India

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July 22, 2023

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Fabindia, a renowned homegrown lifestyle brand, and Dolomite Restaurants, the all-India franchisee for Jamie Oliver’s restaurants, have unveiled an exciting strategic alliance. This collaboration aims to introduce Jamie Oliver’s branded cafes at multiple Fabindia Experience Centres nationwide.

During 2023, a series of highly anticipated Dolomite Cafes will be unveiled across major cities in India, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Amritsar, in collaboration with Fabindia. Drawing inspiration from the renowned Jamie Oliver ethos, these cafes are set to offer patrons a delightful all-day dining experience centered around fresh, meticulously sourced ingredients and a touch of love in every dish served.

Speaking about this partnership, Rajeshwari Srinivasan, Chief Executive Officer of Fabindia said, “We have always been dedicated to serving a better experience and offerings to our customers and this collaboration with Jamie’s is one more step in this direction.”

Talking about the partnership, Jasper Reid, Chief Executive Officer of Dolomite said, “We are delighted to partner with Fabindia and to have the privilege of serving many more customers in many more places and will work our socks off to fulfil the mission of bringing fresh, good, healthy and authentic food to every corner of this magnificent country”.

Ajay Kapoor, President- retail of Fabindia said, “We are super excited to see how this partnership flourishes. This association is based on serving food made from pure, ethically sourced ingredients and is strongly aligned with our principles.”

“Jamie’s commitment towards a balanced life comes through in each of their recipes, with health, nutrition and taste given equal importance. Fabindia’s mission too has always been about maintaining a balance between traditions and contemporary choices,” Kapoor added.

Ed Loftus, Group Director, Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group added, “We are hugely excited to be working with Fabindia and Dolomite to continue to expand our offering in India.”

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