South African News
Electricity tariff hikes pile pressure on South African farmers
South African farmers face steeper production costs as electricity tariffs climb following a settlement between Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). The deal corrects revenue miscalculations, granting Eskom R54 billion more over the next three years and raising tariffs from April 2026. With power central to irrigation, storage, and processing, the hikes threaten profit margins and food affordability. Industry experts warn that energy-intensive sectors like horticulture, poultry, and dairy are particularly vulnerable, while farmers are already battling high fertiliser, diesel, and pesticide costs.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date published: September 10, 2025
New gantry cranes improve efficiency at Port of Cape Town ahead of fruit export season
The Port of Cape Town is showing signs of recovery as new rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes enhance efficiency ahead of South Africa’s peak deciduous fruit export season. Four of nine new cranes are already operational, reducing truck turnaround times, with the remainder set to follow shortly. The port handled 12% more fruit this year and slightly exceeded its container targets in late August. While performance remains below global standards, exporters welcome the progress, noting that a total of 18 RTGs will be in service soon, with an additional 10 arriving for deployment in early 2026.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date published: September 8, 2025
African News
Africa urged to act boldly to avert worsening food crisis, new report warns
Nearly 300 million Africans remain undernourished, and a new report warns that without urgent reforms, the continent could become the world’s hunger epicentre by 2030. The 2025 Africa Food Systems Report, launched in Dakar, stresses the need for bold, coordinated action in governance, finance, and infrastructure to transform agriculture. Despite progress in climate-smart farming and regional trade, cereal yields remain far below global averages and post-harvest losses reach up to 30%. The report highlights that systemic investment in sustainable practices, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive policies is vital to secure food, jobs, and stability for Africa’s growing population.
Read full story: Africa Sustainability Matters
Date published: September 9, 2025
Global News
Regenerative farming gains ground in Europe as climate pressures mount
Farmers across Europe are increasingly adopting regenerative agriculture to combat climate change, restore soil health and improve long-term profitability. Practices such as crop rotation, cover crops, reduced tilling and carbon storage are helping to curb erosion, retain water and cut reliance on fertilisers and pesticides. Although only around 2% of European farms are fully regenerative, momentum is building, with advocates calling it a vital shift for food security and climate resilience. Challenges remain, including limited financial incentives and EU policy uncertainty, but early results suggest improved biodiversity, higher margins and greater resilience against droughts and wildfires.
Read full story: Nature
Date published: September 9, 2025
Argentine blueberry sector struggles to compete amid genetic lag
Argentina’s blueberry industry is seeking to recover lost ground as a lack of investment in new genetics and technology has left it trailing regional competitors. The 2025 crop is forecast at 15,000 tonnes, with only a third destined for export, compared to nearly 20,000 tonnes shipped at its 2008 peak. Plantations have halved to around 2,500 hectares, largely due to financing challenges and barriers to accessing cutting-edge varieties. Despite weaker exports, domestic demand has grown, driven by health campaigns highlighting blueberries as a “superfood”. The US, UK, and increasingly China remain Argentina’s key export markets.
Read full story: Eurofruit
Date published: September 9, 2025
Japan warns farmland at risk as depopulation worsens labour shortage
Japan’s agriculture ministry has warned that within the next decade, over 1.3 million hectares of farmland—equivalent to more than 31% of the nation’s total agricultural area—will be left without enough workers to cultivate it. The decline stems from rapid depopulation in rural regions and an ageing farming workforce. To counter the crisis, authorities plan to consolidate farmland into larger, more efficient units while also seeking labour from outside local areas. The warning underscores the urgency of reform as Japan faces mounting challenges to sustain domestic food production.
Read full story: NHK World-Japan
Date published: September 10, 2025
Chinese seed varieties boost resilience and income for Pakistani farmers
Chinese hybrid seed varieties are transforming agriculture in Pakistan, offering farmers higher yields, better resilience to climate shocks, and stronger market prices. Veteran farmer Muhammad Safdar from Punjab says Chinese cauliflower varieties outperform local ones, fetching 50% higher prices thanks to their quality and size. Collaborations between Pakistani distributors and Chinese institutions, particularly the Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, have made these seeds widely available, now covering much of Pakistan’s farmland. Beyond boosting farmer incomes, the initiative is part of broader China–Pakistan cooperation under the SCO, aimed at strengthening food security and climate adaptation.
Read full story: China Daily
Date published: September 10, 2025
