Paradip Port Authority set an ambitious cargo handling target of over 170 million metric tonnes for FY 2026-27, initiating major infrastructure upgrades including road paving, drainage improvement, and mechanized cargo stacking to enhance operational efficiency. In agricultural trade, data from the Solvent Extractors’ Association showed that India’s edible oil imports fell 7% in September to 15.44 lakh tonnes due to a sharp drop in crude sunflower oil shipments. However, overall crude vegetable oil imports grew substantially to represent 95% of total import volumes as domestic refiners replaced refined palmolein. Concurrently, India’s rice exports faced severe headwinds due to ongoing conflict in West Asia, growing just 2.5% in the first half of the fiscal year to $5.77 billion. Elevated ocean freight rates, Houthi maritime attacks, and longer re-routing around the Red Sea created massive logistics pressure on major grain export corridors, prompting importing nations across the Middle East to adopt cautious stockholding strategies.