South African News
Veld Fires Threaten South Africa’s Food Security and Prices
Raging veld fires across South Africa are not only destroying crops, livestock, and farm infrastructure but also placing upward pressure on food prices. According to FNB Agriculture’s Dawie Maree, the frequency and severity of fires—driven by climate change and above-average rainfall—are pushing production costs higher and worsening food inflation, with meat particularly at risk. Farmers across provinces from KwaZulu-Natal to the Karoo are urged to adopt fire management plans, maintain equipment, and collaborate with fire protection associations. Without preventative measures, experts warn that veld fires will continue to undermine both supply and affordability of food.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date Published: August 22, 2025
Rising Meat and Vegetable Prices Drive South Africa’s Food Inflation Higher
South Africa’s food inflation accelerated in July as sharp increases in beef and vegetable prices pushed annual food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation to 5.7%, up from 5.1% in June. Beef prices surged 28.8% year-on-year, with stewing beef and mince seeing the largest jumps, while vegetable inflation rose to 14.6%, led by carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes. Analysts attribute the spike in meat prices to outbreaks of avian influenza in Brazil and foot-and-mouth disease locally, which restricted supply. Volatile weather has also disrupted vegetable harvests. Experts warn that persistently high food inflation could influence broader economic and interest rate decisions.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date Published: August 21, 2025
African News
Nigerian Scholar Highlights Key Barriers to Achieving Sustainable Food Security
Nigeria’s ongoing food insecurity crisis, which peaked in 2024 and affected over 26 million people, is rooted in a mix of climate shocks, insecurity, economic reforms, and weak agricultural support systems, according to Prof. Bosede Olukemi Lawal of Obafemi Awolowo University. Speaking at her inaugural lecture, she stressed that floods, the pandemic, and insurgency disrupted food supply chains and worsened child malnutrition. Lawal called for stronger agricultural extension services to bridge the gap between research and farmers, with better funding, training, and infrastructure. She highlighted the National Electronic Extension Platform as a key tool for advancing sustainable food production.
Read full story: The Guardian
Date Published: August 22, 2025
Global News
Indian Government Investigates Irregularities in Farmer Crop Loss Compensation
The Indian government has launched an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the disbursement of crop loss compensation to farmers affected by hailstorms and floods during 2023–24. Of the ₹1,500 crore sanctioned to aid nearly 13 lakh farmers, reports suggest duplicate payments were made, raising concerns about malpractice by local officials, particularly in Maharashtra’s Jalna district. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed that accountability measures, including punitive action, are under consideration. Plans are also underway to strengthen digital monitoring and verification systems to prevent fraud, as climate-induced crop damage drives growing demand for transparent relief mechanisms.
Read full story: Global Agriculture
Date Published: August 21, 2025
EU Strengthens Food Safety Measures to Protect Farmers and Consumers from Climate Threats
The European Union is ramping up efforts to safeguard food systems from the growing impacts of climate change, which threaten farming through extreme weather, pests, and disease outbreaks. Claire Bury, Deputy Director-General at DG SANTE, emphasised the EU’s One Health approach, linking human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health. Measures include strict contaminant limits, rapid alert systems, and research via Horizon Europe to support climate-smart farming. New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) are seen as key to developing resilient crops requiring fewer resources. Alongside supporting farmers, the EU is also leading global initiatives on safe water reuse in food production.
Read full story: Open Access Government
Date Published: August 21, 2025
Farmers Warn Government’s Carbon Forestry Rules Put Food Production at Risk
Federated Farmers has criticised the Government’s draft forestry rules, arguing they fail to protect New Zealand’s productive sheep and beef farmland from being lost to permanent carbon forestry. The proposed 25% cap on land registered in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) only covers higher-quality land (LUC 1–5), while the bulk of conversions occur on class 6 and 7 hill country farms, which underpin the red meat industry. Farmers warn that weak regulations will allow foreign investors and large emitters to continue blanketing rural areas in pine, costing jobs, hollowing out communities, and undermining export growth targets.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly NZ
Date Published: August 22, 2025
Global Pigmeat Output Set for Modest Growth, Driven by Asia
Global pigmeat production is forecast to increase from 124 million tonnes to 130 million tonnes by 2034, according to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025–2034. Growth will be led by Asia, particularly Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand, provided the region recovers from African Swine Fever. China’s production, however, is expected to stabilise due to economic pressures and market consolidation. Latin America will see strong growth, with Brazil maintaining competitiveness through lower costs, while Europe faces decline, especially in the EU. The UK is predicted to achieve modest growth, while North America’s expansion will be limited by high feed costs and trade uncertainty.
Read full story: Pig World
Date Published: August 21, 2025
