South African News
South Africa Wine Charts New Course with First ESG Position Paper
South Africa Wine has introduced its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Position Paper, signalling a decisive shift towards sustainable and ethical wine production. The document sets out principles to guide environmental protection, social equity, and good governance across the value chain, developed through extensive industry consultation. CEO Rico Basson described it as a “living document” designed to balance global expectations with local realities while creating long-term value for all stakeholders. The initiative aims to position South Africa’s wine industry as a global leader in responsible and inclusive winemaking.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date published: November 6, 2025
Digital Infrastructure Could Cultivate a Smarter Future for South African Farming
Experts at the Global Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit in Cape Town explored how shared digital systems could transform South Africa’s agriculture sector by linking farmers, data and markets more effectively. Drawing lessons from India’s AgriStack and Ethiopia’s Digital Agriculture Roadmap, the article argues that interoperable digital platforms could unlock finance, improve real-time advice through AI, and spur innovation. However, challenges such as fragmented data, low digital literacy, and limited access to technology persist. For South Africa, integrating agriculture into its MyMzansi digital roadmap could be key to ensuring farmers thrive in a connected future.
Read full story: Daily Maverick
Date published: November 5, 2025
African News
West African Cocoa Crop Optimism Pressures Global Prices
Cocoa prices dropped sharply as favourable weather in West Africa fuelled expectations of a strong harvest. Farmers in Ivory Coast and Ghana reported healthy crop conditions, with Mondelez noting pod counts 7% above the five-year average. This optimism offset recent gains driven by cocoa’s reintroduction to the Bloomberg Commodity Index, which could attract $1.9 billion in fund inflows. While shrinking inventories and reduced Ivorian exports provide some support, weak global demand - particularly in Asia and Europe—and disappointing Halloween chocolate sales have weighed on prices. Analysts now expect a global cocoa surplus for 2024/25 after years of deficits.
Read full story: Bolt Marketing
Date published: November 5, 2025
Global News
PepsiCo Launches Regenerative Agriculture Pilot in Brazil’s Cerrado
PepsiCo has joined forces with Griffith Foods and Milhão to pilot a regenerative agriculture programme in Brazil’s Cerrado region, a vital biodiversity hotspot and major crop zone. The initiative introduces a hybrid payment model that rewards farmers both for adopting sustainable practices - such as composting and reducing fertiliser use - and for delivering measurable environmental benefits. Covering 7,000 acres initially, the scheme aims to expand to 30,000 acres within three years, supported by a $1 million investment. The project aligns with PepsiCo’s Climate Resilience Platform and seeks to strengthen soil health, cut emissions, and build long-term agricultural resilience.
Read full story: FoodBev Media
Date published: November 5, 2025
Tasmanian Orchard Uses AI to Halve Food Waste and Boost Apple Quality
Esperance Bay Orchards in Tasmania’s Huon Valley has cut food waste by 50% after deploying artificial intelligence to identify substandard apples before they reach consumers. The Francis family, who have farmed apples for five generations, integrated sensors and infrared cameras capable of detecting defects such as bruising and insect damage. Supported by a $440,000 Coles Nurture Fund grant, the technology ensures consistent quality while reducing environmental impact and food miles. The project highlights how AI can modernise traditional farming, making it more sustainable and appealing to younger generations entering agriculture.
Read full story: NT News
Date published: November 6, 2025
Pakistan’s Agricultural Census Warns of Looming ‘Seven Lean Years’
Pakistan’s 2025 Agricultural Census exposes deep structural fractures in the country’s farming sector, from shrinking landholdings and worsening water scarcity to gender inequality and youth migration. The data reveals that most farms now measure under five acres, making mechanisation and profitability difficult. Women, despite providing 68% of agricultural labour, own less than 1% of farms. Heavy reliance on wheat, climate shocks, and exploitative middlemen compound rural distress. Analysts warn of “seven lean years” ahead unless urgent reforms address land consolidation, water governance, gender inclusion, and technology access to restore resilience and productivity to Pakistan’s agricultural economy.
Read full story: Asia News Network
Date published: November 6, 2025
Drought and Floods Devastate Nepal’s Paddy Farmers Amid Climate Instability
Nepal’s agriculture sector is reeling after drought during planting and unseasonal deluges during harvest destroyed crops across multiple provinces. Heavy rains in October caused an estimated Rs3.5 billion in losses, with Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces hardest hit. Farmers report paddy soaked or washed away just before harvest, leaving many without income or food supplies. Experts warn that erratic monsoon patterns - linked to climate change and air pollution - are creating a dangerous cycle of drought and floods. With paddy output expected to drop by 5–7%, Nepal’s food insecurity is worsening amid soaring imports from India and rising inflation.
Read full story: Asia News Network
Date published: November 6, 2025
