South African News
South Africa’s Agriculture Needs Modern Laws and Real Partnerships, Says DG Ramasodi
Director-General Mooketsa Ramasodi urged South Africa’s agricultural sector to shift from discussion to practical implementation during his address at AFASA’s Leadership and Strategic Partnership Conference. He highlighted the mounting pressures facing farmers, from deteriorating infrastructure to outdated regulations, stressing that many laws date back to 1947 and no longer reflect current realities. Ramasodi outlined government efforts to reform Act 36, modernise legislation and streamline regulatory systems. He called for stronger partnerships to address energy, water, logistics, finance and advisory support. Emphasising agro-processing as a key growth driver, he said coordinated action is essential to build an inclusive, competitive and future-ready agricultural economy.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: November 28, 2025
Milk SA Warns of Severe Risks from Illegal Kenyan FMD Vaccine Use
South Africa’s dairy sector is on high alert following reports that some farmers are illegally importing and using an unregistered Kenyan foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine. Milk SA’s Dr Mark Chimes condemned the practice, warning that the FOTIVAX™ vaccine poses serious legal and biological risks. It lacks protection against SAT3 - the strain behind the recent Eastern Cape outbreak - and contains foreign strains A and O, which could cause false positives and trigger investigations or herd destruction. Without DIVA capability, infected and vaccinated animals cannot be distinguished. While vaccine shortages persist, legal alternatives from Botswana and a new Turkish option remain the only safe routes.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: November 28, 2025
African News
Egypt’s Machinery Import Growth Falls Short of Expectations
Egypt’s rapid expansion in citrus processing during 2025 - driven by early investments in machinery following weakening competition in Brazil - has not translated into the broader surge in machinery imports previously expected. According to Ahmed Heiza, CEO of Misr Vision, demand for processing equipment continues to grow as Egypt strengthens its position as a major fresh-produce exporter, but fluctuating agricultural input prices have eroded profit margins and tempered investment. Orders for 2026 focus on dried and frozen vegetables, herbs, spices and frozen strawberries. An economic slowdown has increased reliance on used equipment, with Chinese and Turkish machines gaining ground while demand for durable European models remains steady.
Read full story: FreshPlaza
Date Published: November 27, 2025
Global News
Trump’s Push to Lower Beef Prices Collides with America’s Strong Appetite for Meat
President Donald Trump’s effort to curb soaring US beef prices is being undermined by Americans’ unwavering demand for meat. Despite a major cattle supply crunch - driven by high feed costs, drought and historically small herds - beef consumption remains strong, with retail volume sales rising 5% year-on-year. Consumers are adapting by trading down to cheaper cuts such as ground beef and chuck roast, while chicken gains further traction as a lower-cost protein. Trump has eased tariffs on Brazilian beef and encouraged more imports, alongside ordering investigations into major processors. Yet analysts warn that herd rebuilding will take years, meaning high prices and supply pressure are likely to persist.
Read full story: Farm Progress
Date Published: November 25, 2025
Canada Counts on Robust Global Demand as Lentil Supplies Surge in 2025-26
A sharply reduced Turkish lentil harvest is offering Canada some relief as it enters a heavy supply year. Turkey’s red lentil output fell 43 percent to 230,000 tonnes - the third lowest on record - prompting expectations of 325,000 tonnes in imports for 2025-26. Canada will need strong international demand, having produced an estimated 2.97 million tonnes, its second-largest crop ever. While production is up globally, Canadian quality is uneven, with only 22 percent graded top quality in Saskatchewan. Red and green supplies are ample, narrowing the price gap. With exports forecast at 2.1 million tonnes, carryout could reach a burdensome record near 1.19 million tonnes.
Read full story: Sask Today
Date Published: November 22, 2025
Nepal Produces About 6,000 Tonnes of Honey Annually, Beekeepers Oppose New Import Policy
Nepal’s beekeeping sector produces roughly 6,000 metric tonnes of honey each year from both Apis mellifera and Apis cerana, according to new data from the Federation of Beekeepers Nepal. Commercial production alone accounts for 4,192 tonnes, managed by 2,175 farmers operating more than 115,000 hives. The Federation criticised the government’s recent decision to allow multinational companies to import honey under a quota system, arguing it will further undermine farmers already struggling with weak market access. Despite current output, Nepal’s floral resources could support up to 30,000 tonnes annually. Chitwan and Dang remain the top-producing regions.
Read full story: Nepal News
Date Published: November 27, 2025
Japan’s TOKYO8 Microbial Plant Activator Poised to Transform Global Agriculture
A Japanese innovation called TOKYO8, developed by Taiyo Yuka Co., Ltd., is gaining international attention for its ability to boost crop yields by revitalising soil through microbial action. Originally derived from decades of research into bacteria used for sludge treatment in Tokyo, the product contains a blend of 1,500 microbial strains capable of rapidly breaking down organic matter and improving soil structure. Trials in Africa and Mauritania show yield increases of up to 50% and significantly larger crops. TOKYO8 can be cheaply produced locally through small, simple culture units, offering new opportunities for smallholder farmers and supporting food security initiatives across Asia and Africa.
Read full story: Kizuna
Date Published: November 28, 2025
