Elizabeth Schroeder
Russian grain crop not at risk despite flooding – agri minister
Russia expects to record its second largest grain harvest on record in 2024, following the record 147 million metric tons harvested in 2023, easing fears that the heavy flooding in several regions would result in the destruction of crops.
‘Milking process’ suspected of spreading bird flu to cattle
Newly released research has found that the milking process could be a factor in the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza to dairy cows in the US.
Chocolate prices expected to continue rising as cocoa crisis deepens
A perfect storm of widespread illegal gold mining, climate change, mismanagement of the industry, and rapidly spreading disease are contributing to a potentially disastrous cocoa bean harvest in West Africa this season.
Plight of female agricultural workers in the spotlight
Statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicate that about 38% of all workers in global agricultural supply chains are female.
Illegal orchards under scrutiny in US-Mexico avocado trade
Environmental and legal uncertainty is threatening the integrity of the international avocado market, amid rising concerns about illegal avocado orchards in Mexico.
Massive crop losses for Canadian fruit farmers after ‘deep freeze’
Fruit farmers in British Columbia in Canada are calling for government assistance to survive after entire crops of fruit such as peaches, plums, cherries and nectarines were wiped out.
Brazil may lose top maize exporter spot due to drought
The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor in the US has indicated that agricultural economists agree Brazil will remain the world’s top exporter of soya bean in the 2023/24 season.
Why farmers across Europe are up in arms
Across Europe, tens of thousands of farmers have been coming out in force to air their grievances, ranging from the cost-of-living crisis to the EU’s sustainability policies, and the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war.
Californians suing state over contaminated groundwater
Some farming communities in California in the US have long been plagued by contaminated drinking water due to nitrates and other contaminants in the groundwater that feed wells in their communities.
Farmer protest heaps further pressure on German government
Following fears that the week-long protest by about 10 000 farmers in Berlin, Germany, could turn violent, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner had a more conciliatory tone when he took to the stage to address a crowd on Monday, 15 January.
Marked slowdown in global food prices during 2023 – FAO
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) overall Food Price Index for 2023 showed a 13,7% overall decline year-on-year, according to a FAO report released on 5 January.
Agriculture and food systems take a back seat at COP28
In their attempt to reach consensus about the action to be taken against global warming, negotiators at the UN climate summit, COP 28, basically skipped over food and agriculture while compiling a final statement on climate adaptation.
UK farmers lash out at proposed live farm animal export ban
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill introduced in the UK parliament on 4 December has been met with a backlash from the farming community.
Climate change and energy prices driving UK food inflation – report
Since 2021, household food bills in the UK have risen by an estimated average of £605 (about R14 419). A new report by an NGO in UK, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), has ascribed this increase to extreme weather and escalating energy prices.
Dry weather puts serious strain on global sugar reserves
El Niño-induced dry weather conditions in India and Thailand, the second- and third-largest sugar exporters worldwide, are resulting in the highest prices for the commodity since 2011, with global sugar reserves hitting a 14-year low.
Exports of Irish beef to China suspended after confirmed BSE case
The recent suspension of Irish beef exports to China has been described as a blow to the industry. Ireland’s national public service media organisation, RTÉ, reported that beef exports from Ireland to China had been suspended after a case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was detected in a cow.
US wheat exports reach 52-year low in November
The latest export inspection data in the US indicates that wheat shipments from that country reached a 52-year low in the first week of November.
Low producer prices put pressure on the UK’s milk supplies
There are indications of a notable reduction in milk production on UK farms, with low farm-gate prices putting pressure on margins at a time of the year when production normally increases.
Young, small EU farmers continue their struggle to access financing
Farmers in the EU continue to struggle to secure financing, with small farming operations and young farmers being most affected by a lack of loans and financial investment.
Lumpy skin disease vaccines to safeguard Australian cattle exports
The Australian government has announced that, in its fight to reduce the risk of lumpy skin disease (LSD) entering the country, it will continue to work closely with regional neighbours, national industries, and all state and territory governments.
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