Elizabeth Schroeder
Australian consumers’ demand for free-range eggs faltering
The reality of current reduced household budgets in Australia is being reflected in the demand for free-range eggs in that country. While daily egg consumption in Australia has reached 17 million, the preference for free-range eggs is no longer rising.
Rising demand for rice in animal feed puts pressure on supplies
The use of low-grade rice in animal feed rations across Asia has resulted in the price of this staple commodity rising rapidly.
High biofuel prices in Brazil could put pressure on sugar output
Sugar industry analysts in Brazil expect the sharp hike in local fuel prices to result in a substantial reduction in the volume of sugar exported from that country during the new crop season that starts in April.
Rally in grain prices could boost incomes for US farmers
Global wheat prices reached 14-year highs in the first week of March on the back of fears about serious disruptions in grain and oilseed exports from the Black Sea region due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
‘Plant biofuels no silver bullet for carbon sequestration’
Countries in Europe are increasingly relying on crop biofuels to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the region’s transport industry.
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America, Asia on high alert as bird flu cases continue to spread
The total number of chickens and turkeys affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the US in the second half of February has reached about 1,65 million.
Plant-based ‘dairy’ fails to convert Australian milk-drinkers
Despite large investments in the manufacture of plant-based ‘milk’ products in Australia, only about 2% of Australian households regularly use them.
Billions in farming insurance pay-outs weigh on US taxpayers
Between 1995 and 2020, farmers in the US received more than US$143,5 billion (about R2,2 trillion) in federal crop insurance pay-outs, much of it subsidised by taxpayers.
New EU rules will help farmers prevent costly disease outbreaks
A more streamlined approvals process for veterinary products in the EU, particularly those used for more uncommon species of farm animals or diseases, will make vaccines and veterinary medicines more cost-effective for smaller farming operations.
African swine fever in wild boars threaten Italy’s pork industry
Pig farmers across Europe are on high alert after the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar in Hungary, Latvia and Italy during the second week of January.
Fears about higher risk of bird flu spreading to humans
As more variants of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, emerge, they become harder to track, increasing the potential spread to humans.
Call for investigation into spiking US fertiliser prices
US farmer group, the Family Farm Action Alliance, has alleged in a letter sent to the US Department of Justice that fertiliser companies in that country are increasing the prices of fertiliser products in response to high commodity prices.
Ethanol production rise puts pressure on global sugar supply
Global sugar supplies are expected to tighten again, following the forecast for a fourth successive global deficit in the 2022/23 marketing year, Tropical Research Services (TRS) said in a recent report.
Intensive farming not sustainable, EU investors warn
Intensive farming should not be classified as a sustainable activity in the European Commission’s EU taxonomy document, which is currently being finalised.
Cannabis tax could earn Germany R60 billion a year
A new survey commissioned by the German hemp association has found that legalising cannabis could earn that country’s government additional tax revenue of about €3,4 billion (around R61,7 billion) per year.
Pasta-makers fear shortages due to durum wheat supply pinch
An almost 50% smaller durum wheat harvest compared with that in 2020 in top exporting country Canada, has raised the alarm among Italian pasta-makers, fearing a substantial supply shortage in coming months.
COP26 zero-deforestation deal to affect animal feed trade
More funding, transparent monitoring and tough regulation of businesses and financing institutions with links to the destruction of forests are needed to ensure the success of a pledge made by world leaders to halt deforestation by 2030, environmentalists have warned.
China retaliates on ‘unfair farm subsidy’ allegations
As part of the Chinese government’s effort to effect reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO), that country is calling for the removal of “enormous” farm subsidies in some developed countries.
Consumers can expect high coffee prices for longer – experts
Global coffee prices are likely to remain higher for longer as the market struggles to rebalance supplies geographically.
Brexit brings an end to ‘cheap food’ for UK shoppers
The twin crises of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic are resulting in a tidal wave of soaring costs for the UK’s food industry, with supply chains coming under increasing pressure.
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