The tender, issued on Saturday, covers 1.5 million tons for delivery via India’s west coast, with an additional 1 million tons planned through the east coast, according to a document published on the company’s website. Shipments are expected to depart load ports by June 14, while bids must be submitted by April 15.

India, the world’s largest importer of urea, routinely relies on global tenders to meet domestic demand, particularly ahead of the June monsoon season when sowing of crops such as rice, corn and soybeans begins.

Fertiliser availability is critical for the agriculture sector, which remains a key component of the country’s economy.The Gulf region accounts for between 20% and 30% of India’s urea imports and roughly half of its liquefied natural gas supplies, a key feedstock for domestic urea production, according to Aparna Sharma, additional secretary in the Department of Fertilisers.

Disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict have constrained gas availability, leading to a drop in local output last month, although supplies have improved in recent weeks, she said.

A Mumbai-based industry official said domestic urea production declined by around 600,000 to 700,000 tons per month during the disruption, with imports expected to partially offset the shortfall.

However, limited global surplus due to supply constraints in the Middle East may affect participation in the tender and influence pricing, the official added.In a previous tender in November, Indian Potash Limited secured urea at $418.40 per tonne on a cost-and-freight basis.

Prices have since risen amid the conflict, and market participants expect the current tender to serve as a pricing benchmark for other buyers in the global fertiliser market.

Brazilian researchers are developing new coffee hybrids by blending genetic material from rare and non-commercial species in an effort to protect global arabica production from the growing impact of climate change.

At the Campinas Agronomy Institute in São Paulo state, agronomist Oliveiro Guerreiro Filho tends to a diverse collection of coffee plants that contrasts sharply with the uniform plantations typical of Brazil’s commercial farms. The experimental plots include about 15 lesser-known species such as racemosa, liberica and stenophylla, each offering genetic traits that scientists hope can strengthen the resilience of arabica, the world’s most widely consumed coffee variety.”

Researchers warn that arabica crops are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns. A report released this week by Rabobank said climate change could render about 20% of current arabica-growing areas unsuitable by 2050, with Brazil, the world’s largest producer, expected to see declining output.

To address these risks, scientists are attempting to introduce hardier genetic traits from wild and underutilized species into arabica plants. The goal is to develop hybrids that can withstand drought, heat, pests and diseases while maintaining the flavor and yield characteristics that make arabica dominant in global markets.“We’ve been working at the institute for many years to transfer drought tolerance genes from the racemosa species to arabica,” Guerreiro Filho said. “We’re trying to create drought-tolerant arabica varieties.

The process is complex and time-intensive. Researchers must cross-breed different species, cultivate hybrid plants, and subject them to harsh environmental conditions to identify those with the strongest resilience. Guerreiro Filho said the full development cycle can take between 20 and 30 years before a viable variety is ready for commercial use.

Some of the traits being targeted are already evident in the wild species. Liberica, for example, has drawn attention from farmers in Southeast Asia for its ability to tolerate high temperatures and dry conditions. Small-scale growers in Indonesia and Malaysia have begun cultivating the species experimentally to assess its performance under climate stress.”

Liberica can tolerate heat and high temperature environments very well, and it is disease-resistant,” said Jason Liew, founder of My Liberica, a coffee plantation in Malaysia’s Johor state.

While such characteristics are valuable, liberica and other non-arabica species have limited commercial appeal due to lower yields or different flavor profiles. Brazilian researchers are therefore focused on transferring these beneficial traits into arabica, rather than replacing it entirely.

Early results from hybridization efforts suggest potential gains in both resilience and crop protection. Arabica plants cross-bred with liberica have shown increased resistance to coffee rust, a fungal disease that has devastated crops in several producing regions. Meanwhile, hybrids incorporating racemosa genetics appear better able to withstand attacks from coffee leaf miner larvae, a common agricultural pest.

Scientists say these advances are critical given arabica’s narrow genetic base, which limits its natural ability to adapt to environmental changes. Expanding that genetic diversity is seen as a key strategy for sustaining long-term production.“Working with alternative species of coffee is vital because arabica has an extremely narrow genetic base,” said Rodolfo Oliveira, head of the coffee unit at Brazil’s state research agency Embrapa. “This makes it highly vulnerable to pests, diseases, and climate change.

”The research also reflects broader shifts in the global coffee sector, where producers are increasingly grappling with the economic and environmental consequences of climate volatility. Reduced yields, rising production costs and shifting cultivation zones are already affecting supply chains, with implications for prices and market stability.

Brazil’s efforts to develop more resilient coffee varieties may play a central role in shaping the future of the industry. As the leading global producer and exporter, changes in its output have significant ripple effects across international markets.

At the same time, the long timelines required for developing new hybrids mean that current research will only begin to deliver results years from now. Until then, farmers remain exposed to immediate climate risks, underscoring the urgency of both scientific innovation and adaptive farming practices.

Producers emphasise stability as global demand signals soften and supply uncertainties grow.

OPEC+ has decided to keep oil production levels unchanged for the first quarter of 2026, signalling a cautious approach as the group balances market stability with concerns about oversupply and shifting geopolitical conditions.

The decision reflects wider efforts within the alliance to preserve a predictable energy environment amid fluctuating economic indicators, evolving trade flows and ongoing geopolitical negotiations involving key global players.

The coalition, which accounts for roughly half of the world’s oil supply, met at a time when discussions aimed at easing tensions between major nations could reshape energy trade patterns.

Participants noted that potential diplomatic developments could influence sanctions-linked production and alter supply levels across several major exporting countries.

Market analysts observed that the stabilising decision comes as benchmark crude prices have weakened in recent months, prompting producers to prioritise consistency over rapid expansion.

The group’s choice indicates awareness of rising inventories, demand uncertainty and the need for careful coordination among members with differing production capabilities.

More than 3 million barrels per day of earlier output cuts remain active, representing an estimated 3% of global demand and serving as a central component in OPEC+ efforts to support balanced pricing.

These include long-term reductions scheduled to continue through 2026, as well as phased adjustments introduced by selected member countries in recent months.

The alliance confirmed that eight member states will continue to pause planned output increases during the first quarter of 2026, following the earlier return of nearly 3 million barrels per day to the market since April 2025.

Leaders emphasised that the pause is intended to limit volatility and allow producers to align strategies with real-time global demand signals.

Another major outcome of the meeting was the approval of a new mechanism for assessing members’ maximum production capacity, which will serve as the foundation for setting output baselines from 2027 onward.

This evaluation process, scheduled to run from January through September 2026, aims to ensure that quota allocations accurately reflect technical capabilities and long-term investment progress.

Independent assessment firms will analyse the production potential of most OPEC+ members, while countries under sanctions will be evaluated through separate arrangements tailored to their circumstances.

This approach seeks to maintain fairness and transparency while accommodating unique economic and regulatory challenges faced by individual states.

Capacity measurement has been a long-standing point of debate within the group, with nations such as the United Arab Emirates seeking recognition for expanded investment-driven capabilities.

Meanwhile, several African members, whose production has declined in recent years, have advocated against reductions to their established quotas, stressing the need to preserve economic stability.

The introduction of the new assessment mechanism reflects a broader strategy to modernise internal governance and reduce future disputes over quota allocations.

Officials hope that a structured, data-driven process will help streamline decision-making and support the group’s long-term cohesion.

While global oil markets continue to navigate a complex environment of shifting demand patterns, technological advancements and energy-transition policies, OPEC+ reiterated its commitment to maintaining equilibrium.

Producers indicated that additional adjustments will be considered if market conditions require further calibration in the months ahead.

Observers note that the coming year may present challenges as economic growth forecasts vary by region and geopolitical negotiations influence trade dynamics.

However, the group’s latest actions suggest a preference for predictable supply management as it monitors trends in consumption, investment and international policy.

Gold gains over 1% as investors shift toward safer assets ahead of key U.S. economic data, with markets watching Federal Reserve minutes and a delayed jobs report for signals on future interest-rate direction.

Gold prices advanced strongly on Wednesday as investors shifted toward safer assets ahead of important U.S. economic indicators, with market participants closely watching central bank signals and upcoming labor data to gauge the direction of global monetary policy in the weeks ahead.

Spot gold moved more than 1% higher during the session as traders positioned themselves cautiously before the release of the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes and a delayed U.S. jobs report, both of which are expected to influence expectations surrounding future interest-rate decisions.

The metal traded at levels above $4,115 per ounce, showing resilience after recently holding firm near the psychologically important $4,000 mark, a price that has served as a steady anchor for gold during periods of wider market uncertainty across global regions.

Analysts noted that gold strengthened as investors reassessed risk across currencies, commodities, and equities, with many opting to protect portfolios as concerns surrounding economic stability, employment trends, and fiscal pressures in major economies continue to shape global sentiment.

Market experts observed that the cautious tone was amplified by the delay in the U.S. employment report caused by the government shutdown, a factor that has heightened interest in upcoming labor numbers that could influence how aggressively policymakers respond in the months ahead.

Economists expect the delayed payroll report to reflect moderate job creation, though uncertainty remains over the extent to which employment trends may have shifted during the data lag, thereby increasing the importance of the upcoming release for traders and institutions.

Gold market observers stated that softer U.S. economic data could rekindle expectations for rate cuts, a scenario that typically supports the non-yielding asset by reducing the opportunity cost of holding safe-haven metals, reinforcing gold’s appeal during periods of financial strain.

Conversely, any indication of stronger labor performance or signs of persistent inflationary pressure could renew speculation that interest rates may remain elevated, a factor that historically weighs on precious metals by strengthening yields and reducing demand for hedging assets.

In parallel to the movement in gold, new data showed that the number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits rose to a two-month high during mid-October, adding to the ongoing debate over the health of the labor market and whether softness is beginning to emerge across sectors.

Traders also adjusted their expectations for near-term rate cuts, with the probability of a reduction next month declining compared with last week’s projections, reflecting evolving sentiment as markets interpret economic reports and central-bank commentary with heightened caution.

Analysts suggested that gold’s upward momentum is likely to persist if market data continues to reveal weakening hiring conditions, subdued wage growth, or broader economic pressure, all of which tend to increase demand for safe-haven investments worldwide.

However, they warned that any unexpected strength in employment numbers or assertive remarks from policymakers could trigger a pullback in gold prices, especially if investors reassess expectations and rotate capital toward higher-yielding opportunities in other asset classes.

Alongside gold’s rise, silver prices gained more than 3% to trade above $52 per ounce, while platinum and palladium also advanced, reflecting broader optimism across precious metals and the influence of shifting market dynamics on industrial-linked commodities.

Market participants continue to monitor global demand trends, geopolitical developments, and currency movements, all of which play significant roles in shaping gold’s path as investors prepare for a period of potentially heightened volatility in the final months of the year.