South African News
South Africa’s Macadamia Industry Faces Setback from U.S. Tariffs, Eyes Asian Markets
South Africa’s macadamia industry has been hit hard by a 30% tariff imposed by the United States from August 2025, undermining its competitiveness against rivals like Australia and Kenya, which face significantly lower duties. The U.S. is South Africa’s second-largest market, accounting for about 20% of exports. Industry body Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) is pushing for diversification into Asian and Middle Eastern markets, though high tariffs there also pose challenges. With nearly 50,000 jobs at stake, SAMAC is urging government action to reduce trade barriers and secure new export opportunities to maintain South Africa’s global leadership.
Read full story: EcoFin
Date Published: September 16, 2025
South African Agri-Exporters Urged to Diversify into Non-Traditional Markets
South Africa’s agricultural exporters are being pressed to pursue non-traditional markets as production grows and global trade dynamics shift. Speaking at a G20 Agriculture Ministerial side event in Cape Town, experts stressed that rising protectionism and fragmented trade require long-term strategies to build resilience. Citrus exports alone are forecast at nearly 190 million cartons this season, underlining the urgency of securing new buyers. China’s zero-tariff access offers opportunities, while India presents barriers but significant future potential. Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen and industry leaders highlighted competitiveness, infrastructure, and energy efficiency as crucial to sustaining growth.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date Published: September 16, 2025
African News
New SACAU President Phenias Gumede Sets Out Vision for Stronger, Sustainable Southern African Agriculture
Phenias Gumede, former Deputy President of AgriSA, has been appointed President of the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), representing farmers across 12 countries. In an interview with African Farming, he outlined his vision to strengthen farmers’ voices, promote food security, and drive sustainable economic growth. Gumede highlighted funding gaps, inadequate land access, limited business skills, weak government support, and market barriers as key challenges. His priorities include building partnerships with governments and regional bodies, supporting smallholders to scale up, strengthening farmers’ organisations, and fostering climate-smart, enterprise-driven agriculture through global collaboration.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: September 15, 2025
Global News
Europe’s Farm Policy Overhaul Sparks Clash Between Green Goals and Budget Cuts
The European Commission has unveiled sweeping reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), aiming to make farming more climate-resilient while cutting bureaucracy. However, critics warn the changes dilute environmental ambition, slash funding, and risk fragmenting the EU’s farm policy into a patchwork of national agendas. With the CAP budget facing cuts of up to 30% in real terms, there is no longer a dedicated fund for green initiatives, raising fears environmental action will lose out. Farmers’ unions and environmental groups alike are uneasy, warning that the reform could undermine climate goals and EU-wide coherence.
Read full story: The Parliament Magazine
Date Published: September 15, 2025
Favourable Weather Lifts South American Planting Prospects for Key Crops
Improved spring weather and better soil moisture in Argentina and Brazil are setting up a strong start to the 2025–26 planting season for wheat, soybeans, corn, and other key crops. Argentina’s core wheat and barley zones are benefiting from late-August rains, supporting crop emergence and early growth, while conditions remain much better than during recent drought years. In Brazil, southern regions maintain good soil moisture, and pre-monsoonal showers are forecast to boost planting in the centre-west. With no early La Niña disruption expected, production prospects for grains, oilseeds, and export staples such as rice, sugar cane, and coffee look promising.
Read full story: AgroLatam
Date Published: September 16, 2025
Tariffs Drive Up U.S. Farm Costs as Fertilizer and Machinery Prices Climb
Tariffs are reshaping U.S. agriculture by increasing input costs and altering trade flows. Fertilizer prices have risen by $100 per ton, with urea up nearly 30% and phosphorus holding at around $860 per ton, while machinery costs are also climbing due to steel and parts duties. The U.S. farm trade deficit reached $28.6 billion in the first half of 2025 but is projected to narrow by year-end. China’s reduced imports remain a major concern, though new U.S. trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, and Australia offer opportunities for rice, soybeans, beef, and dairy exports. Farmers face higher costs amid continued geopolitical uncertainty.
Read full story: RFD-TV
Date Published: September 15, 2025
Pakistan Turns to High-Tech Solutions to Safeguard Farms and Forests Amid Climate Disasters
Pakistan, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations despite contributing less than 1% of global emissions, is adopting advanced technologies to combat floods, deforestation, and agricultural losses. Nearly 1,000 people have died since June from monsoon rains and glacial bursts, while Punjab, the country’s food basket, faces heavy economic damage. Authorities are deploying drones, satellites, and surveillance systems to monitor forests, prevent timber smuggling, track pollution, and support precision farming. Punjab is introducing climate-smart practices such as drip irrigation and heat-resistant seed varieties, while officials say satellite data will also help assess flood damages and improve farmer compensation.
Read full story: Arab News
Date Published: September 15, 2025
