Fate of 23 sick sugar cooperatives in Maharashtra hangs in balance as the state government has decided to extend the term of Madhav Godbole committee, set up in 1997 to suggest measures for the revival and rehabilitation of these coopratives.

Onion prices up in West Bengal

Onion prices have skyrocketed in West Bengal with the retail prices touching an all time high of Rs 25 per kilogram and the whole sale prices at Rs 900/950 per 40 kgs. Onion traders in the state said the tight market scenario in south India and Maharashtra has led to the unprecedented rise in prices.

`De-oiled rice bran is good cattlefeed'

De-oiled rice bran, commonly known as rice bran cakes, has yielded best results when used as feed for fish and prawns in laboratory conditions at the department of Food Technology and Bio-chemical Engineering of Jadavpur University.

Branded sugar sector in a spot

If salt can be branded and sold why not sugar, thought a fewsugar manufacturers a couple of years ago. Hoping to strike gold, they made a foray into the branded sugar market. But the move was not even a fraction as successful as the likes of Tata Salt, Captain Cook or Annapoorna Salt.

Tea exports may fall short of target

Tea exports are not likely to meet the target of 210 million kg this year, according to Forbes Ewart & Figgis, leading tea traders in Kochi. Till the end of June, only 96 million kg was exported. A similar figure for the next six months would be a great achievement considering the rouble crisis in Russia, who imports a major share of the orthodox variety.

Cofei cautious on expansion

The falling volume of traded coffee and the delay in finalising the institutional-cum-clearing member have forced Coffee Futures Exchange of India (Cofei) to go slow with the proposed expansion plans. The country's first coffee futures exchange has been facing liquidity problems since many major players are reluctant to participate in a big way.

Coir Board to set up technology parks

The Coir Board has proposed to establish coir technology parks in important production centres in Kerala as part of its efforts to modernise the industry with the help of new production and processing technology.

Board to promote coconut as dry fruit

In a bid to arrest fluctuations in copra and coconut oil prices, the Coconut Development Board is chalking out an ambitious plan to promote copra as a dry fruit.

`Dollar trading will not help bourse'

Dollar-denominated trading will not help improve trade turnover at the International Pepper Exchange in Kochi, Spices Board chairman V Jayashankar said last week.

Cement industry hit by recession

For the cement industry, 1997-98 has been the worst year in the decade, according to sources with Gujarat Ambuja. In last three years alone 22 per cent of the total installed capacity or 22 million tonne has been added.

Argyle records 18% rise in sales

Argyle Diamonds hascompleted two years of independent marketing of its rough diamonds with an impressive 18 per cent jump in sales in the first half of 1998. During the period, the diamond jewellery markets, particularly in the Pacific-rim countries, were in doldrums and even CSO's sales plummeted by nearly 41 per cent, according to reports reaching here.

Australian gold production up

Australian gold output rose to a record in the year ended June 30, though a fall in exploration spending means that's unlikely to be matched again soon, the government's top commodity forecaster said last week.

US dumpimg duty on Russian steel

The threat of dumping duty action by US steel mills has sent shock waves to Russian steel mills. Most of them are trying to cut down production and hold on to prices. US has threatened action against Japan, Korea as also other Asian countries.

Mineral production rises

The total value of mineral production, excluding atomic and minor minerals, in the country during Julyincreased to Rs 2973 crore from Rs 2955 crore in June. The contribution of coal is the highest at Rs 1310 crore accounting for almost 44 per cent. Chemical exports in Q1 down Chemical exports during the first quarter of the current fiscal have dropped by 1.5 per cent in dollar terms. From $661.2 million during April-June 1997, exports have dropped to $651 million during the same period this year.

15% growth in formulations

The working group on drugs and pharmaceuticals for the Ninth five-year plan has projected a growth of 15 per cent in the consumption of formulations. Exports of formulation are seen to grow at 10 per cent while exports of bulk drugs are expected to be higher at 20 per cent.

Drop in US oil inventories temporary

A sharp drop in US crude oil inventories over the past month has helped lift prices by more than $1 a barrel, but analysts say a close look at the stock drop may point to only a temporary reprieve for the beleaguered oil market.

Rains may distort cottonestimates

The country's estimated cotton production of 180 lakh bales this year could go for a toss if the torrential rains in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana persist for another three days, the chairman and managing director of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) MB Lal said.

Indian polyester exports slump

Prospects for polyester exports from the country have turned extremely bleak with the competition from countries in the far-east and southeast Asia intensifying.