Sources: Steel Ministry Supports Continuation of Import Restrictions on Met Coke

admin 2025-05-28

India’s Steel Ministry Supports Extension of Import Restrictions on Low-Ash Metallurgical Coke

India’s steel ministry has expressed its preference for extending import restrictions on low-ash metallurgical coke due to the availability of ample domestic supplies. The move, aimed at promoting the utilization of local capacity, is set to impact steelmakers opposing limitations on foreign purchases.

In December, India, the world’s second-largest crude steel producer, implemented quantitative restrictions on low-ash met coke imports, imposing country-specific quotas with a purchase cap of 1.4 million metric tons from January to June. A source familiar with the matter stated that the ministry is in support of the extension to ensure the utilization of domestic production.

India currently produces sufficient met coke to meet local demand, with an annual capacity of about 7 million metric tons. However, only around 3 million tons are being produced, primarily due to subdued demand. The steel ministry’s backing for the extension is essential as major steel producers like ArcelorMittal Nippon India and JSW Steel have raised concerns regarding limitations hindering their expansion plans.

India’s Ministry of Commerce is expected to make a decision on extending the restrictions by the upcoming month. The ministry’s intervention in favor of the extension follows a series of deliberations last year that led to the implementation of the curbs. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has urged steelmakers to procure met coke locally, emphasizing the importance of supporting domestic production.

Moreover, India has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into low-ash met coke imports from several countries including Australia, China, and Japan, in response to industry concerns. Reports suggest that ArcelorMittal Nippon India may have to scale back steel production and delay expansion plans due to the import restrictions.

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India Set to Become the Largest Rice Producer Globally<h2>India Set to Be World’s Top Rice Producer by 2024-25</h2><p>India is on track to become the largest rice producer globally in the 2024-25 crop year, surpassing China as overall foodgrain production reaches an unprecedented 353.2 million tonnes (MT). This remarkable achievement, fueled by favorable monsoon conditions, has significantly uplifted the yields of rice, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds, highlighting a strong performance in the agricultural sector. With expectations for sufficient rainfall, there is optimism for a second consecutive year of solid agricultural output. (Reuters)</p><h2>Record Foodgrain Production in 2024-25</h2><p>The agriculture ministry announced on Wednesday that India’s foodgrain production increased by 6% in the 2024-25 crop year compared to the previous year, reaching a record of 353.2 MT. The nation is set to overtake China as the leading rice producer during this period.</p><h2>Significant Increases in Key Crop Yields</h2><p>According to the third advance estimates for the 2024-25 crop year, rice and wheat production rose by 8% and 3.7%, amounting to 149.07 MT and 117.5 MT, respectively, compared to last year. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan noted that the current crop year has witnessed record highs in the outputs of rice, wheat, corn, groundnut, and soybean. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has projected China’s rice output at 145.28 MT for the same period, confirming India’s emergence as the foremost rice producer in the world.</p><h2>Steady Growth in Pulses and Oilseeds</h2><p>In the 2024-25 crop year, pulses production is also anticipated to rise by 4% to reach 25.23 MT. Oilseed production has surged over 7% to 42.6 MT, with groundnut (11.89 MT) and soybean (15.18 MT) reaching record levels. The southwest monsoon rains from June to September of 2024 measured 108% of the long-term average, positively affecting both kharif and rabi sowing periods.</p><h2>Future Projections and Agricultural Outlook</h2><p>With forecasts indicating ‘above normal’ monsoon rainfall, the government has set an ambitious target of 354.64 MT for foodgrain production in the 2025-26 crop year. This target may be revised upwards depending on actual monsoon performance as anticipated by meteorological reports. The prospect of adequate rainfall further strengthens expectations for hefty agricultural output for a second successive year.</p><h2>The Importance of Monsoon for Crop Production</h2><p>Kharif sowing constitutes roughly 60% of the total annual crop production. The monsoon rains not only provide essential soil moisture for winter crops but also play a crucial role in the cultivation of kharif crops, including paddy, pulses, and oilseeds, on nearly half of the nation’s farmland. Furthermore, sufficient monsoon activity is vital for ensuring adequate soil moisture during the rabi season for crops such as wheat, pulses, and oilseeds.</p>

India Set to Become the Largest Rice Producer Globally

India Set to Be World’s Top Rice Producer by 2024-25

India is on track to become the largest rice producer globally in the 2024-25 crop year, surpassing China as overall foodgrain production reaches an unprecedented 353.2 million tonnes (MT). This remarkable achievement, fueled by favorable monsoon conditions, has significantly uplifted the yields of rice, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds, highlighting a strong performance in the agricultural sector. With expectations for sufficient rainfall, there is optimism for a second consecutive year of solid agricultural output. (Reuters)

Record Foodgrain Production in 2024-25

The agriculture ministry announced on Wednesday that India’s foodgrain production increased by 6% in the 2024-25 crop year compared to the previous year, reaching a record of 353.2 MT. The nation is set to overtake China as the leading rice producer during this period.

Significant Increases in Key Crop Yields

According to the third advance estimates for the 2024-25 crop year, rice and wheat production rose by 8% and 3.7%, amounting to 149.07 MT and 117.5 MT, respectively, compared to last year. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan noted that the current crop year has witnessed record highs in the outputs of rice, wheat, corn, groundnut, and soybean. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has projected China’s rice output at 145.28 MT for the same period, confirming India’s emergence as the foremost rice producer in the world.

Steady Growth in Pulses and Oilseeds

In the 2024-25 crop year, pulses production is also anticipated to rise by 4% to reach 25.23 MT. Oilseed production has surged over 7% to 42.6 MT, with groundnut (11.89 MT) and soybean (15.18 MT) reaching record levels. The southwest monsoon rains from June to September of 2024 measured 108% of the long-term average, positively affecting both kharif and rabi sowing periods.

Future Projections and Agricultural Outlook

With forecasts indicating ‘above normal’ monsoon rainfall, the government has set an ambitious target of 354.64 MT for foodgrain production in the 2025-26 crop year. This target may be revised upwards depending on actual monsoon performance as anticipated by meteorological reports. The prospect of adequate rainfall further strengthens expectations for hefty agricultural output for a second successive year.

The Importance of Monsoon for Crop Production

Kharif sowing constitutes roughly 60% of the total annual crop production. The monsoon rains not only provide essential soil moisture for winter crops but also play a crucial role in the cultivation of kharif crops, including paddy, pulses, and oilseeds, on nearly half of the nation’s farmland. Furthermore, sufficient monsoon activity is vital for ensuring adequate soil moisture during the rabi season for crops such as wheat, pulses, and oilseeds.

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