Chinese farmers adapt to coronavirus with online buying
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic has prompted many Chinese farmers to source vital supplies online in preparation for the spring planting season in that country.
Overseas production hopes to address Chinese pork shortage
Companies in China are being encouraged to set up pig farms overseas to address a severe domestic pork shortage.
Coronavirus: Sharp increase in Spanish fresh produce prices
Rising demand for agricultural products in Spain, due to fears about the novel coronavirus outbreak, has seen prices soar.
‘EU-US trade negotiations must include agriculture’
As the EU and the US recently resumed trade talks, the EU’s chief trade negotiator Phil Hogan said the region wanted to explore possibilities that would enable each side to reduce administrative obstacles to agricultural trade.
Fall armyworm threat exacerbates China’s food security fears
The agriculture ministry in China has raised concerns about an increased risk of fall armyworm (FAW) infestations this year.
Farmers protest subsidy cuts in show of force in Brussels
Hundreds of farmers gathered in front of the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday to protest against cuts to the budget for the common agricultural policy (CAP).
India reports crop damage as locust plague spreads to Asia
Crop losses of up to 33% have been reported after locust swarms invaded more than 168 000ha of farmland in India, with the provinces of Rajasthan and Gujarat worst hit, according to local media reports.
Avian flu outbreak exacerbates coronavirus woes in China
Chinese authorities have reported an outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 avian flu on a farm near Shaoyang in the southern province of Hunan.
Low disease and frost resistance for EU crops due to hot weather
Near-record high temperatures in areas of western and central Europe early in the season have resulted in an increased risk of pests and diseases in the region’s already delayed grains crops.
Call for permanent ban on wildlife trade in China
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has welcomed the recent decision by Chinese authorities to temporarily ban the trade in wild animals to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
US agri commodity prices to remain under pressure in 2020
After US farmers faced a challenging year in 2019, there was cautious optimism that the prices of maize, soya bean and wheat could receive a boost from the new trade agreement signed by China and the US last week.
FAO declares 2020 International Year of Plant Health
The cultivation of healthy plants depends on healthy soils, according to Dr Hendrik Smith, a conservation agriculture (CA) facilitator at Grain SA and the Maize Trust.
