South African News
South African Farmers Urged to Improve Compliance with Animal Identification Laws
South Africa’s livestock sector is facing rising stock theft and stricter regulatory demands, making permanent animal identification more important than ever. Despite legal requirements under the Animal Identification Act, compliance remains low due to equipment costs, administrative delays and limited awareness, especially among emerging farmers. Branding and tattooing are essential for proving ownership, preventing theft, ensuring market access and supporting disease control. Ear tags aid management but cannot replace permanent marks. The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation and the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum are expanding training and support, stressing that proper identification is a farmer’s first line of defence.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date Published: 1 December, 2025
Tariff Delays Leave Wheat Importers Facing Heavy Costs, Sacota Warns
South Africa’s wheat import tariff is set to fall from R851.50 to roughly R616 per ton after a recent trigger, offering potential relief for millers and consumers. However, the lower tariff will only apply once published in the Government Gazette, and ongoing delays continue to burden the industry. Sacota warns that a single 50 000-ton shipment landing before publication could cost importers an additional R12 million. To improve predictability, Sacota and partners have proposed an automated tariff adjustment system, similar to fuel price updates. With Itac yet to finalise the application after 13 months, industry uncertainty remains high.
Read full story: Food for Mzansi
Date Published: 2 December, 2025
African News
Nigeria Losing Up to $10 Billion Annually to Post-Harvest Waste, Expert Warns
Nigeria forfeits an estimated $9–$10 billion each year to post-harvest losses—equivalent to 30–50% of national agricultural output—due to poor handling, weak logistics, inadequate storage and limited processing capacity. Speaking at the National Assembly, Segun Alabi, CEO of agritech firm Davidorlah Nigeria Limited, warned that these losses threaten food security, undermine farmer incomes and restrict economic growth. He called for urgent investment in cold chains, silos, rural road upgrades and modern processing hubs. Alabi also highlighted the value of technologies such as solar dryers and mobile processing units, urging lawmakers to back policies that promote agro-processing and waste-reduction across the value chain.
Read full story: The Guardian
Date Published: 2 December, 2025
Global News
World’s First Cultivated Meat Farm Launches on Dutch Dairy Operation
A landmark pilot project in South Holland has made the Netherlands the first country where a livestock farmer receives public agricultural funding to produce cultivated meat. RespectFarms has installed a cellular agriculture unit on dairy farmer Corné van Leeuwen’s property to test how cultivated meat production can operate alongside conventional farming. Backed by around US$2.17 million from the European Innovation Partnership and the South Holland government, the project aims to give farmers a role in future protein systems while reducing reliance on slaughter and disease-prone herds. The initiative supports broader European efforts to assess cultivated meat’s economic, social and technological potential.
Read full story: Food Business Middle East and Africa
Date Published: 1 December, 2025
Greek Farmers Prepare Wider Roadblocks as Nationwide Protests Escalate
Farmer protests across Greece are intensifying, with thousands of tractors blocking major highways, border crossings and transport routes as demands for government action remain unmet. Roadblocks at Nikaia, Malgara and the E65 motorway continue to grow, while the Evzoni crossing to North Macedonia remains shut. New blockades are planned at Promachonas on Thursday and Siatista on Saturday, with potential disruptions at the ports of Volos and Thessaloniki if negotiations stall. Tensions have risen amid allegations of police misconduct, while political parties trade accusations over the worsening standoff. The government insists it is willing to negotiate and will deliver due subsidies.
Read full story: Tovima
Date Published: 2 December, 2025
TAFE Launches Precision Farming Digital Ecosystem to Boost Efficiency in Mexico
TAFE has introduced TAFE Terra, a new digital platform designed to enhance precision farming and reduce production costs for Mexican farmers. Unveiled at the 2025 Agro-Food Expo, the system integrates telematics, geofencing, tractor health monitoring and operational analytics, giving users real-time insights into machinery performance, locations and maintenance needs. The platform enables data-driven decisions, optimising equipment use and supporting sustainable soil management. TAFE also presented its new Magna 15 tractor series, built to operate seamlessly with the platform. The initiative aligns with Mexico’s push for greater water-use efficiency and reflects global growth in precision agriculture technologies.
Read full story: Mexico Business News
Date Published: 1 December, 2025
UK Arable Farmers Face Over £800m Revenue Loss After Devastating Summer Drought
New analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) estimates that UK arable farmers will lose more than £828 million in revenue after one of the worst harvests on record. The hottest spring and summer ever recorded, combined with severe drought, cut production of five key crops by around 20% compared with the 10-year average. Farmers warn that extreme weather is making crop investment increasingly risky, while delays to green farming schemes are limiting their ability to adapt. With farmgate prices now close to long-term averages, lower yields account for nearly all the revenue shortfall, leaving growers highly exposed to climate shocks.
Read full story: Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit
Date Published: 2 December, 2025
