News Service

July 01, 2026. With India emerging as the largest international market for California almonds, the California almond industry has introduced a fresh consumer campaign aimed at driving higher consumption and reaching new audiences across the country. The initiative is designed to strengthen the industry's presence in India by encouraging more people to include almonds as part of their daily diet while creating long-term growth opportunities in the market. India imported over 423 million pounds of California almonds during the 2024–25 marketing year, reaffirming its position as the industry's biggest export destination. Building on this strong demand, the new campaign focuses on attracting younger consumers, expanding awareness in regions where almond consumption remains relatively low, and promoting almonds as an everyday healthy snack rather than a product reserved for special occasions. Consumer studies conducted before the campaign revealed that although almonds are widely recognized across India, their consumption is still concentrated in specific regions and consumer groups. Southern India, in particular, offers considerable growth potential, as household consumption is lower compared to other parts of the country. The findings also indicated that many consumers continue to associate almonds with traditional eating habits and often do not distinguish them from other nuts available in the market. The research highlighted another important trend: occasional consumers and non-users were less aware of the nutritional advantages of almonds and lacked strong reasons to make them a regular part of their diets. Once consumers learned more about the health benefits of almonds, including their role in supporting energy, nutrition, and an active lifestyle, their interest in consuming the product increased significantly. To address these changing consumer preferences, the industry has launched a new brand platform titled "Superfood for a Super You." The campaign presents almonds as a modern, nutritious food that fits into today's fast-paced lifestyle while supporting health, wellness, and daily performance. The objective is to connect with younger consumers by positioning almonds as a convenient choice for everyday nutrition. The nationwide campaign adopts a digital-first approach and includes social media promotions, online advertising, influencer collaborations, podcasts, interactive gaming experiences, outdoor advertising, and high-visibility digital placements. By combining multiple communication channels, the initiative seeks to increase awareness, improve consumer engagement, and encourage more frequent almond consumption across diverse age groups and regions. With India's growing focus on healthy eating habits and nutritious food choices, the California almond industry sees significant opportunities to further expand its presence in the country. The new campaign is expected to play an important role in strengthening consumer awareness, widening the customer base, and supporting sustained demand for California almonds in one of the world's fastest-growing food markets.

June 30, 2026: In a major shift in India's spice export market, the United States has overtaken China as the largest buyer of Indian spices in value terms during the financial year 2025–26. The change comes after China sharply reduced its imports of key Indian spices such as cumin (jeera) and red chilli, mainly due to higher domestic production. According to the latest trade data, India's total spice exports declined by 6.1% in value during FY 2025–26, falling to US$4.43 billion from US$4.72 billion in FY 2024–25. The decline was largely driven by weaker demand from China, which has traditionally been India's biggest overseas market for spices. Exports to the United States stood at US$624.35 million during FY 2025–26, compared with US$711.16 million in the previous year. Although shipments to the US also declined due to lower export volumes and tariff-related challenges, the country emerged as India's largest spice market in value terms. The US remained a strong buyer of black pepper, turmeric and spice oleoresins, with exports of pepper and turmeric showing growth, while shipments of spice oleoresins declined. Meanwhile, exports to China recorded a much sharper fall. The value of spice exports to China dropped by 32%, declining from US$769.58 million in FY 2024–25 to US$518.98 million in FY 2025–26. The slowdown follows a record performance in FY 2023–24, when exports to China had reached US$928.28 million, supported by shipments of more than 3.09 lakh tonnes of spices. The sharp decline was mainly seen in cumin and chilli exports. Cumin exports to China fell by 76% in volume and 80% in value during FY 2025–26 as China produced a larger domestic crop. Similarly, red chilli exports to China declined by 11% in volume and 21% in value, reflecting reduced import requirements. Industry experts believe China's improving agricultural production has significantly changed global spice trade dynamics. According to Emmanuel Nambusseril, Chairman of the All India Spices Exporters Forum, China has increased cultivation of high-pungency chillies, reducing its dependence on Indian imports. Trade sources also indicate that China harvested around 85,000–90,000 tonnes of cumin during the last season and is expected to produce an even larger crop in 2026 due to favourable weather conditions and improved farming practices. Despite the slowdown in Chinese demand, Indian exporters remain optimistic about expanding sales to high-value markets such as the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Growing demand for premium spices, value-added products and spice extracts is expected to support India's export performance in the coming months, although competition from producing countries and global demand trends will continue to influence the market. The shift in export destinations highlights the changing landscape of the global spice trade, with Indian exporters increasingly focusing on diversified markets to reduce dependence on any single buyer.

June 28, 2026. The Indian raisin market has turned firm as limited domestic supplies and steady demand from traders continue to support prices. Lower production during the 2025–26 season, coupled with strong buying from processors and the dry fruit trade, has strengthened market sentiment. Although global supplies remain adequate, tighter availability in India is keeping domestic prices on the higher side. According to market sources, raisin prices have increased gradually over the past few weeks, particularly for premium AA grades. Traders in Maharashtra, India's largest raisin-producing state, report that farmers are releasing stocks cautiously in anticipation of better prices. As a result, market arrivals remain limited, preventing any major correction in prices. Wholesale prices of dry grapes (raisins) in Maharashtra mandis are currently hovering around ₹310–320 per kg, reflecting healthy demand from wholesalers, processors and retailers. Market participants say the current price trend is being driven more by limited availability than by any sudden increase in demand. The outlook for the Indian raisin crop also remains supportive. Industry estimates indicate that India's raisin production for the 2025–26 season may decline to around 1.60 lakh tonnes, compared with nearly 2.45 lakh tonnes in the previous season. Lower production has tightened supplies across the domestic market and encouraged stock holding by growers and traders. On the export front, Indian raisin exporters continue to face competition from Turkey, China and Afghanistan. However, Turkish raisin prices have also remained firm due to a smaller crop, reducing the pressure on Indian exporters. Stable demand from Europe and the Middle East has helped maintain export enquiries, although buyers are purchasing mainly according to immediate requirements. Market experts believe the southwest monsoon is unlikely to have any immediate impact on the current raisin market, as the grape harvest and drying season have already been completed. The focus is now on existing stocks and the pace at which growers release their produce into the market. Looking ahead, traders expect raisin prices to remain firm over the next few weeks. Limited domestic supplies, lower production and steady demand from the dry fruit industry are expected to support the market. Unless arrivals increase significantly or demand weakens sharply, the possibility of a major decline in prices appears limited. Current Indian Wholesale Market Price: ₹310–320 per kg (Maharashtra Markets)

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has identified 77 paddy-growing districts and 65 maize-producing districts across the country as highly vulnerable to potential yield losses during the 2026 Kharif season if El Niño conditions lead to rainfall deficiencies. The assessment also highlights 36 districts each under sorghum and millet as particularly susceptible to drought-related production risks. The vulnerability mapping is based on crop performance during the severe El Niño years of 2002, 2004 and 2009, when these districts recorded at least a 10 per cent decline in crop production. Based on these findings, the Central Government has advised State governments to implement crop-specific contingency plans, water conservation measures and agronomic interventions to minimise possible yield losses in rain-fed farming regions. Official data show that rainfall deficits during the benchmark El Niño years were 19 per cent in 2002, 13 per cent in 2004 and 23 per cent in 2009, resulting in Kharif foodgrain production falling by over 22 per cent in 2002 and around 12 per cent each in 2004 and 2009. However, experts believe the current situation may not be directly comparable because of the expansion of assured irrigation, particularly through groundwater, though the distribution of monsoon rainfall will remain critical. Under its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Kharif 2026, ICAR has recommended life-saving irrigation, foliar nutrient application, short-duration catch crops in case of crop failure, and harvesting severely affected crops as fodder. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have also been directed to provide technical guidance to farmers. ICAR's Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad, has begun consultations with major agricultural States, including Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, to strengthen preparedness for possible El Niño conditions. Despite weather concerns, the Central Government has set a Kharif 2026 foodgrain production target of 176.16 million tonnes, including 123.15 million tonnes of rice, 31.04 million tonnes of maize, 13.56 million tonnes of nutri cereals and 8.40 million tonnes of pulses. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that cumulative monsoon rainfall during June 1–24 remained 42 per cent below normal, with only 21 per cent of the country's geographical area receiving normal rainfall, underlining the need for timely contingency planning.