South African News
Record US Grain Imports Support Southern Africa Amid Drought-Induced Shortfall
A devastating drought across Southern Africa last year led to the region's highest US grain imports in over 30 years, with 300,000 tonnes of maize and 165,000 tonnes of soya beans supplied between May 2024 and April 2025. Valued at $140 million (R2.49 billion), these imports helped mitigate food inflation and reinforced US-Southern Africa trade ties. South Africa streamlined regulatory approvals for genetically modified (GM) crops to enable the imports. Despite the setback, the region is recovering: South Africa is expected to harvest 14.78 million tonnes of maize this season—15% above last year’s yield—securing a surplus and sustaining export capacity.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: July 14, 2025
Long-Term Growth and Reform Key to South Africa's Agricultural Future
South Africa’s agriculture sector faces pressing challenges, from managing foot-and-mouth disease to trade uncertainty with the U.S., but long-term inclusive growth remains essential. While progress has been made on animal vaccine development, experts stress the urgent need for broader disease mitigation involving both public and private sectors. As South African products face steep U.S. tariffs from 1 August, stakeholders are urging faster export market diversification. The Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) still holds value and should guide sectoral reform, alongside accelerated land release and value chain focus. Meanwhile, improved weather and crop yields have supported robust tractor sales in early 2025.
Read full story: Farming Portal
Date Published: 14 July, 2025
African News
Africa-Asia Agrifood Dialogue Launches in Viet Nam to Promote Sustainable Food Systems
On 15 July 2025, agriculture ministers from 14 African and 3 Asian countries will gather in Hanoi, Viet Nam, for a landmark intercontinental dialogue on transforming agrifood systems. Co-organised by the FAO and the Vietnamese government, the event focuses on the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, designed to promote sustainable value chains for unique, underutilised agricultural products. Delegates will explore Viet Nam’s successful “One Commune One Product” model, aiming to replicate its rural development impact across Africa and Asia. The dialogue supports FAO’s “Four Betters” vision—Better Production, Nutrition, Environment, and Life—for inclusive, climate-resilient food systems.
Read full story: FAO
Date Published: 14 July, 2025
Global News
First Seaweed Harvest at Offshore Wind Farm Marks Breakthrough in Sustainable Ocean Farming
Researchers and seaweed farmers have completed the first commercial-scale harvest at North Sea Farm 1, the world’s first seaweed farm located within an offshore wind turbine park, 18km off the Dutch coast. Funded by Amazon’s €2 million Right Now Climate Fund, the project offers vital insights into sustainable seaweed cultivation and its potential to absorb carbon and enhance marine biodiversity. The harvested seaweed can be used in foods, textiles, and wellness products, offering an eco-friendly alternative to land-based agriculture. Ongoing research will assess the farm's long-term climate and ecological impacts to inform future scalable marine farming efforts.
Read full story: Amazon
Date Published: July 14, 2025
Extreme Weather Threatens Livelihoods of Over 80% of British Farmers, Survey Finds
More than 80% of UK farmers say their livelihoods are under threat due to climate change, with severe weather events significantly impacting farm productivity and income, according to a new survey by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). Of the 300 farmers surveyed, 86% had experienced extreme rainfall in the past five years, 78% droughts, and over half heatwaves. Only 2% reported no extreme weather impacts. The findings highlight widespread declines in yields and income, as farmers face mounting challenges from increasingly erratic weather patterns across the country.
Read full story: Potato News Today
Date Published: July 13, 2025
Opening Indian Dairy Sector to US Imports Could Cost Farmers ₹1.03 Lakh Crore Annually, Warns SBI
Opening India’s dairy sector to US imports could result in an annual loss of ₹1.03 lakh crore for Indian dairy farmers, a State Bank of India (SBI) report has warned. The report highlights the risk posed by cheaper, heavily subsidised US dairy products, which could trigger a 15% fall in domestic milk prices and increase imports by 25 million tonnes. With nearly 8 crore people dependent on dairy for employment, such a move could severely impact rural livelihoods and reduce the sector’s economic contribution. While trade ties with the US may yield gains in other sectors, SBI urges caution regarding dairy liberalisation.
Read full story: The Tribune India
Date Published: July 14, 2025
US Tomato Prices Set to Rise as Tariffs on Mexican Imports Loom
Tomato prices in the United States may increase by around 10% as new 20.9% tariffs on most Mexican tomato imports came into effect from July 14, following the collapse of a longstanding trade agreement. The move, intended to combat alleged “dumping” by Mexican producers, has raised concerns among restaurant owners and small businesses who fear price hikes could force closures. Critics argue the decision is more political than economic, while US tomato growers welcome the protectionist measure. Some businesses may absorb the cost or shift to domestic sources, but many expect higher prices at grocery stores and eateries.
Read full story: CNN
Date Published: July 13, 2025
