South African News
South African macadamia farmers pivot to Asia after US tariff setback
South African macadamia growers, led by producer Gene Likhanya, are shifting focus to Asian markets—particularly India—after the US introduced a 31% import tariff, jeopardising their second-largest export market. Likhanya, who manages a farm of 78 employees that produced around 25 tonnes of nuts this year, plans to triple output over four years but must adapt to the tariff hurdle. Though the US measures are currently paused amid ongoing negotiations, producers are proactively seeking new opportunities. Industry groups warn that sustained tariffs could harm thousands of agricultural jobs, describing the clash as a lose‑lose for both South African farmers and US processors.
Read full story: Times LIVE
Date Published: June 11, 2025
Climate Crisis Could Halve South Africa’s Food Output by 2050, Warns Expert
South Africa’s food production may decline by up to 50% by 2050 due to climate change, warns Roscoe van Wyk from Stellenbosch Business School. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events threaten crop yields, particularly maize—a dietary staple. These conditions are already inflating food prices and reducing household welfare, with a 1% price rise slashing basic needs capacity by over 20%. Van Wyk advocates integrating enterprise development with climate adaptation to boost small-scale farming, reduce poverty, and secure food supplies. Investing in sustainable practices and technology is crucial to ensuring national food security and meeting rural development goals.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date Published: June 12, 2025
African News
Tanzanian Cocoa Farmers Take Control with Self-Funded Processing Factory
Cocoa farmers in Kyela District, Tanzania, are redefining their future by building a self-funded cocoa processing factory through their cooperative, KYECU. Tired of low returns from exporting raw beans, the farmers introduced a levy of 50 Tanzanian shillings per kilogramme to finance the facility, raising over 500 million shillings. The initiative empowers farmers to produce high-value products locally, boosting incomes and reducing vulnerability to global price shifts. Beyond economic benefits, the project supports education and infrastructure, such as the Cocoa Girls Secondary School. With strong community and government backing, the factory is a model of grassroots innovation and agricultural transformation.
Read full story: Business Beat 24
Date Published: June 11, 2025
Global News
Nescafé Exceeds 2025 Regenerative Farming Goal a Year Early
Nescafé reached a major milestone by sourcing 32 % of its coffee from regenerative farms in 2024, surpassing its 2025 target of 20 % by a full year. This shift has delivered significant benefits—greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 20–40 % per kilogramme of coffee, and farmers have gained resilience and access to better agronomic support. With over 400,000 ha under regenerative cultivation and 21 million plantlets distributed, the brand estimates that a global investment of US $500–600 million could generate more than US $2 billion in farmer income and reduce over 3.5 million tonnes of CO₂e. The initiative underscores Nescafé’s commitment to sustainable supply chains.
Read full story: ESG News
Date Published: June 11, 2025
Central Asia Warms Up to a Chilly Forecast for Summer Crops
Central Asia’s winter wheat harvest looks promising, but summer crops face a dry, heat-ridden growing season. GEOGLAM’s June crop monitor reveals that rainfall was well below average over the past nine months, worsening snowpack shortages and diminishing surface-water supplies—vital for irrigation. With April and May especially parched, groundwater extraction may surge to compensate. Afghanistan is expected to be hit hardest, with rising temperatures threatening rain‑fed crops during crucial growth stages. Though irrigated harvests are stable now, the forecast highlights looming stress on downstream agriculture without adaptive water management.
Read full story: Intelli News
Date Published: June 12, 2025
US Tariffs Push Indian Shrimp Farmers to Breaking Point
Indian shrimp farmers are struggling under the looming weight of US tariffs, with planned duties set to rise from 10% to a potential 26% in July. Already facing high costs and stagnant demand, farmers like R. Mahadevan in Tamil Nadu earn less than US $200 monthly and fear ruin. With shrimp comprising 66% of India’s seafood exports—worth billions and employing hundreds of thousands—the tariffs threaten both livelihoods and the industry’s future. The government has secured a 90-day pause but farmers and exporters are urgently calling for support, cost relief on inputs, and efforts to diversify into new export markets.
Read full story: Eco‑Business
Date Published: June 11, 2025
Deere Leverages Brazil’s Agricultural Boom to Fuel Future Growth
Deere & Company is doubling down on Brazil’s agricultural surge by reinforcing its presence and innovating in precision farming, following its Brazil Investor Day announcement. With Brazil expected to boost soy and corn output by around 46–50%, and cotton and sugarcane production rising 38% and 20% over the next decade, Deere is investing heavily in local manufacturing, R&D and satellite-connected machinery. The firm’s share of the Brazilian tractor market has almost doubled since 2009 and its combine and sprayer market presence has significantly expanded. Deere’s strategic positioning aims to tap into this growth trajectory, although analysts caution that the stock’s valuation is middling.
Read full story: Trading View
Date Published: June 11, 2025
