India slips to fifth spot in pepper suppliers' list .
SOURCE: BUSINESSLINE
Though pepper exports have shown a substantial increase of 56 per cent in 2006, the country's position among the top suppliers has slipped to the fifth place. Huge domestic demand coupled with high cost of production due to poor productivity ranging between 300 and 370 a kg has kept the Indian produce uncompetitive in terms of value in the international market. When the yield per hectare in other producing countries is somewhere between 1,500 kg and 3,000 kg, Indian productivity never crossed 400 kg a hectare.
Wheat yield increases in Punjab
SOURCE: AGRIWATCH
The yield of wheat is likely to increase in Punjab, the food bowl of the country on favourable weather condition. Comparatively lower temperature and some rainfall during February helped in crop growth by maintaining the moisture content and starch depositing in the plants.
Copper's bullish outlook
SOURCE: REUTERS
U.S. copper futures look poised to receive a modest increase in demand as the market enters the seasonally busier second quarter, but nothing like 2006 when prices began their meteoric rise to all-time highs. Greater availability of material in exchange-monitored warehouses, slack physical demand indicated by a near-full contango curve, and lingering uncertainties over the health of the U.S. economy will likely keep copper's upside potential in check, although analysts said they expect firmer prices in coming months.
Gold gains along with equity markets
SOURCE: REUTERS
Gold extended gains on Friday as a recovery in global equity markets raised hopes the metal was regaining strength to test the highs again. Gold has rebounded as much as 3.7 percent this week since hitting a six-week low of $632.30 on Tuesday, when risk-averse investors sold portfolio assets, including gold, to cover their losses following a surge in yen and falling global stocks. Gold's rise to breach a key resistance of $655 on Thursday suggested the metal was on a recovery path, especially since bargain hungers have been buying it at lower levels
Dollar gains against yen
SOURCE: REUTERS
The dollar edged up on Friday, backing off a three-month low against the yen hit earlier in the week as investors shifted funds back into riskier assets even while awaiting U.S. jobs data for clues on the interest rate outlook. Traders said a further rise in shares would likely put more pressure on the yen as market players sell the low-yielding currency for higher-yielding ones in the carry trade. The dollar inched up to 117.19 yen, up slightly on the day from near 117.15 yen in late New York trade and clawing back from a three-month low of 115.16 yen hit on Monday.
