South African News
South African grapefruit crop hits forecast as stable supply keeps prices firm
South African grapefruit exporters closed the 2025 citrus season exactly on their pre-season forecast of 15.3 million cartons, roughly a million above last year and in line with the three-year average, according to the Citrus Growers’ Association. Shipments landed just as Northern Hemisphere supply tailed off. Europe absorbed the largest share of class-1 and -2 fruit at 47%, up from 43% in 2024. China’s share eased from 10% to 6%, while Russia rose from 11% to 14%. US volumes increased to 13 600 tons. Packing ran steadily from April to mid-July and predictable flows supported stable pricing.
Read full story: SA Freight News
Date published: October 21, 2025
SADC and FAO court $2.1bn for irrigation, mechanisation and trade to fix regional food systems
The Southern African Development Community, working with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, has launched a US$2.1 billion investment portfolio to modernise agri-food systems and build climate resilience across the region. Announced at the FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum in Rome on 20 October 2025, the plan targets four areas: irrigation (US$600 m), mechanisation (US$300 m), agro-processing (US$400 m) and trade facilitation (US$800 m). The initiative follows drought-driven food crises affecting millions in 2025 and aims to create bankable projects capable of attracting private and public capital, raise productivity and incomes, and strengthen food security for up to 42 million people.
Read full story: Eco Fin Agency
Date published: October 21, 2025
African News
US soybean exporters pursue North Africa as next wave of demand
The U.S. Soybean Export Council is widening its focus beyond established buyers to secure future demand growth, while maintaining ties with core markets like the EU, Mexico and Egypt. Despite concerns over EU sentiment on GM crops and changing diets, the bloc remains the world’s second-largest soy importer after China, using around 30 million tonnes a year. USSEC sees notable upside in North Africa — especially Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia — which together could absorb 1 million tonnes of U.S. soy. Morocco alone already takes about 400 000 tonnes of soybean meal annually, holding a roughly 70% U.S. market share.
Read full story: Farm Progress
Date published: October 22, 2025
Global News
EU launches generational-renewal plan to double share of young farmers by 2040
The European Commission has unveiled a ‘Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture’ to reverse the rapid ageing of Europe’s farming workforce and make agriculture viable for new entrants. The plan targets doubling the share of farmers under 40 to about 24% by 2040 by obliging Member States to dedicate at least 6% of agricultural budgets to young and new farmers and submit national renewal strategies by 2028. Five levers underpin the roadmap: land access, finance, skills, rural living standards and smoother succession. A mandatory CAP “Starter Pack” of up to €300 000 plus training and lighter paperwork is proposed.
Read full story: Innovation News Network
Date published: October 22, 2025
Vietnam and Japan sign green-rice cooperation deals to decarbonise Mekong Delta agriculture
Vietnam and Japan have agreed to deepen investment and technology cooperation to advance low-emission, high-quality rice production in the Mekong Delta. At a Tokyo conference on 21 October, co-hosted by Vietnam’s agriculture ministry and Japan’s MAFF with 150 participants, multiple MoUs were signed covering AI, robotics, mechanisation, carbon monitoring, advanced processing and by-product reuse. The push aligns with Vietnam’s plan to develop one million hectares of low-emission rice by 2030, cutting greenhouse gases 15–20% and lifting farmer incomes 10–15%. Japan is seen as a key partner in finance, know-how and digital infrastructure for a circular, climate-resilient rice economy.
Read full story: Vietnam Plus
Date published: October 22, 2025
India warns of cost surge as China halts fertiliser exports ahead of rabi season
India is bracing for higher fertiliser prices after China suspended exports of urea, DAP and specialty fertilisers — including TMAP and AdBlue — from 15 October, in a move expected to last five to six months. India imports around 95% of its specialty fertilisers from China and consumes about 250 000 tonnes a year, most during the October–March rabi season. Industry officials expect prices to rise by 10–15%, though supply for the current season is largely secured through global traders. A prolonged curb beyond March 2026 could squeeze availability. Alternative suppliers exist but only for a limited set of products.
Read full story: Business Standard
Date published: October 21, 2025
China pork market softens as supply runs high and anti-dumping duties reshape import mix
China enters Q4 2025 with pork prices down about 10% year-on-year as slaughter outpaces demand and the sow herd sits near the top of MARA’s policy band. MARA has called for herd trimming to curb oversupply. Jan–Aug imports were flat at 1.47 Mt but the mix shifted sharply: Spain grew, while US and Brazil volumes fell 14% and 31% respectively. UK and Russia gained share. Provisional anti-dumping duties on EU pork effective 10 September (typically c.20%) are weakening EU competitiveness and accelerating supplier diversification into 2026. A larger redirection of “fifth-quarter” cuts is expected into wider Asia, tightening competition.
Read full story: AHDB
Date published: October 22, 2025
