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A heavy 2024 southwest monsoon season has caused flooding and water logging in several central India states, leading to crop damage and expected lower agricultural production. India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that monsoon withdrawal was delayed by a week to September 23 and is likely to further exacerbate crop damage during harvest.

India's retail food sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased household purchasing power, rising awareness of gourmet products, and a growing economy.

Post raised the forecast for India’s centrifugal sugar production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 (October-September) to 35.5 million metric tons (MMT), due to adequate rainfall from the 2024 southwest monsoon.

For marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 (August-July), post forecasts India’s almond production marginally lower at 4,150 metric tons (MT) (shelled basis), compared to last MY estimates.

Post forecasts 2025 chicken meat imports will be maintained at 190,000 metric tons (MT). Although chicken meat imports have been declining for years due to devaluation of the Angolan currency (kwanza), growing food price inflation, significant limitations on foreign exchange are expected to continue to repress imports, resulting in 2024 and 2025 reflecting the lowest level of consumption since 2016.

Soybean production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 is estimated at 12.9 million metric tons (MMT) on favorable conditions and slightly higher area.

FAS Mumbai forecasts marketing year (MY) 2024/25 India cotton production at 25 million 480 lb. bales on 11.8 million hectares planted area, a two percent decrease in area from the previous forecast, as farmers have shifted cotton acreage to higher return crops such as paddy, and pulses.

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.