COCOA SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES
70% of global business leaders report rising risk exposure amid AI, geopolitical disruptions: KPMG
According to the report, 56% of respondents said external disruptions involving geopolitical, energy, cyber, trade or climate-related factors would cause severe operational disruptions or significantly affect their organisations' costs and performance over the next three to five years.
Sugar prices jump Rs 4/kg in a month, rise Rs 12-13 over year despite supply steps
Sugar prices in India have risen significantly over the past month in both retail and wholesale markets. Retail prices have now reached Rs 59.50 per kg while wholesale prices stand at Rs 55.40 per kg. Kolkata has the highest retail price at Rs 65 per kg followed closely by Delhi at Rs 64. The government is implementing measures to manage supply, including stock limits and imports. India produced 8.
Renewable energy key to India's energy security, German envoy Jasper Wieck says
Germany underscores the critical role of renewable energy in fortifying energy security for India. During recent discussions, German Ambassador Jasper Wieck highlighted the necessity for India to domestically produce solar panels and batteries. The Bharat Renewable Energy Summit is instrumental in establishing partnerships between Indian and German firms for local production.
Solgram raises Over $1 million in pre-seed funding led by DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital
This funding will bolster its cold-chain infrastructure while improving its technological capabilities.
Asian companies to ramp up investments in US amid supply-chain shifts
Citi expects investments by South Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese companies in the US to rise as global supply chains shift. The bank also sees growing cross-border business flows involving India and China, creating opportunities in transaction banking and financial services.
El Nino could add to US inflation pressures in 2027, San Francisco Fed paper warns
A San Francisco Fed study warns the current strong El Niño could drive US inflation up by 1 percentage point in 2027, despite temporarily boosting jobs. With inflation already above the 2% target, the climate shock adds further pressure on the Fed to raise interest rates.
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India to host IORA foreign ministers amid Gulf energy supply concerns
India plans to host foreign ministers from various Indian Ocean Region countries later this month. The meeting will occur amid ongoing energy supply challenges stemming from the conflict in West Asia. Key discussions will revolve around predictable supply chains and energy supply disruptions. This ministerial meeting is part of India's preparations for the upcoming IORA summit in 2027.
IKEA store in Belgium hit by fridge cyberattack; refrigeration systems impacted as supermarkets across Europe face issues
IKEA's store in Mons experienced temperature rises in refrigeration systems due to a cyberattack. Several European supermarkets, including Carrefour and Coop, also reported similar issues affecting their refrigeration control systems. A broader cyberattack targeted grocery retailers across Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Luxembourg, and Sweden, leading to food waste concerns. Investigations are ongoing regarding the causes and potential future impacts on food supplies.
Brevard County schools cancels classes after up to 10 inches of rain; Flood Watch in effect for Central Florida until 7 p.m.
Brevard public County schools closed: Up to 10 inches of rain flooded parts of Central Florida, prompting Brevard County Public Schools to cancel classes on Monday, November 2. With a flash flood warning and more rainfall expected, here's what residents need to know about school closures, affected areas and the latest weather alerts.
India, EU discuss FTA implementation, customs cooperation and market access in Brussels
India and the European Union engaged in discussions regarding the implementation of their Free Trade Agreement. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held meetings with various senior European Commission officials in Brussels, focusing on market access and customs procedures. The FTA is expected to eliminate tariffs on the majority of exports from both regions. Both parties are working towards the proposed signing and full ratification of the agreement.
EAM Jaishankar urges Quad to focus on freedom of choice
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized freedom of choice and resilient supply chains during the Quad meeting. He highlighted countering non-market practices as a key priority for discussions with partner nations. The Quad aims to enhance cooperation in maritime security and counter-terrorism measures. Additionally, over USD 85 million will be extended for AI access across the Indo-Pacific region.
Quad ministers pledge over $85 million for AI access, flag economic coercion and supply chain risks
Quad foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, focusing on economic security, resilient supply chains and trusted infrastructure. They announced plans to provide over $85 million in technical and financial assistance for access to trusted super intelligence (SI), while pledging action against cyber scams and transnational criminal networks.
Jaishankar has a message for the world: Give diplomacy a chance, as military solutions won't work
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed the importance of diplomacy to address global challenges at the G20 meeting. He highlighted ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in West Asia, while addressing seafarer safety. Jaishankar emphasized the impact of market flooding and supply chain issues on the Global South. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises affecting the global economic order.
Jaishankar's Atlanta diplomacy: Quad meeting and several bilaterals on G20 sidelines
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has a busy schedule during the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta. He is expected to engage in discussions with multiple foreign ministers on trade, defense, and energy. Meetings with Canada and Brazil are crucial for redefining relationships and securing resources. Jaishankar will also address India's partnerships with European and East Asian nations.
US oil companies aim to squeeze more out of refineries as war supply crunch weighs
US oil companies are enhancing refinery capacities and reopening closed plants due to global supply disruptions. ExxonMobil and Chevron reported record profits, attributed to soaring commodity prices and refinery margins. Additionally, ongoing conflicts have severely impacted refining output, particularly in Russia and Iran. Analysts suggest that it may take until next year for supply chains to stabilize.
Why is the US Pentagon preparing for a 'doomsday' scenario? Inside America's plan to keep military bases running for 90 days without outside help
Major military bases are expected to maintain essential operations independently for at least 90 days. The reported requirements cover electricity, water, fuel and communications. The objective is to prevent military operations from being interrupted if civilian infrastructure becomes unavailable. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said military installations should not depend on standard civilian municipal infrastructure to operate national defence.
EAM S Jaishankar attends G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in US
Jaishankar, who arrived in Atlanta late Thursday evening, interacted with his counterparts from several countries ahead of the meeting. He said the G20 "must work together to confront these threats, to strengthen our economic resilience, to safeguard our markets and the economies that they sustain..."
Japan, Bangladesh widen BIG-B ambitions, bring India into focus
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi focused on the BIG-B initiative. The initiative aims to enhance economic cooperation and connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region. Japan is particularly interested in developing the Matarbari deep-sea port with Bangladesh's support. Both countries plan to expand supply chain networks linking India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Handset, TV makers set to slash production on festive sales shock
Smartphone and television makers are cutting production by up to 20% after a weak festive season left retailers with excess inventory and unit sales down sharply year-on-year. Surging memory-chip costs have pushed up device prices, hurting demand particularly in entry- and mid-range segments and forcing brands to scale back output over the next few months.
What’s haunting Halloween chocolate? The climate pressures behind Halloween’s sweetest tradition
Halloween chocolate connects American shoppers with cocoa-growing communities in West Africa. Heat and crop disease can disrupt harvests, but climate change is only one influence on candy prices.
3 Warning Signs Your Supplier Is in Distress
Suppliers to multinational corporations are under growing pressure from tariffs, logistics disruptions, compliance demands, and repeated global shocks, yet many buyers still rely on conventional indicators—audits passed, orders filled, service levels met—that can obscure deeper distress. Supplier weakness often appears first not as outright failure but as a gradual retreat: range thinning, when suppliers stop investing in innovation and improvements; descaling, when they reduce capacity, defer upgrades, or lose resilience; and withdrawal, when they quietly stop bidding, decline complex work, or exit parts of the network. By assessing supplier health across innovation, investment, capability, service resilience, commercial participation, and network position, executives can detect early warning signs before a valued partner disappears. The right response depends on the stage of distress: protect innovation through cost-sharing and co-investment, protect capability through operational support and simpler governance, and protect optionality through targeted retention plans and stronger supplier voice mechanisms.
'2026 resembles 1991': CEA Nageswaran says India is at a critical economic inflection point
Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran emphasized that 2025-26 could be a significant inflection point for India's economy. He mentioned the challenges posed by global shocks and supply-side disruptions in recent years. The reliance on imported crude oil adds to India's vulnerability to fluctuating international energy prices. Strengthening resilience to external disruptions is crucial for managing such risks effectively.
Piramal Pharma cutting China exposure to manage supply-chain resilience, says Nandini Piramal
In a strategic move to enhance risk management, Piramal Pharma has drastically cut its reliance on Chinese raw materials to under 10%. The company is actively diversifying its supply chains to provide greater flexibility against geopolitical challenges while broadening its manufacturing footprint to locations like India, the UK, and the US.
Need more resilient energy supply chains amid growing global disruptions: Minister Naik
During the Singapore International Energy Week, India underlines the critical need for resilient energy supply chains. Union Minister Shripad Yesso Naik emphasizes diversifying energy sources to bolster security in the face of global disruptions.
Anduril and Qualcomm plan to build laptop with US supply chain
The companies unveiled a new product line on Tuesday called BlueChip intended to supply “America’s most critical industries — including government, defense, first responders and public safety,” according to a statement. The eventual goal is to establish an “end-to-end American supply chain” for the laptops and, more broadly, to rebuild US computer manufacturing, the companies said.
Bajaj Auto CFO flags production crunch for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers
Bajaj Auto is currently experiencing significant demand for its electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Despite these constraints, electric vehicles contributed greatly to the company's growth this quarter. The electric portfolio's revenue grew substantially, indicating a shift in consumer preference towards these vehicles. Bajaj plans to enhance its production capacity to meet this rising demand and address supply challenges.
India to criminalise doping supply chains to boost bid to host Olympics
India has topped the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of offenders for three consecutive years, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing the world's most populous nation.
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