South African News
High meat prices hit shoppers, not farmers’ pockets
Meat prices in South Africa are at their highest in around eight years, but farmers are not seeing equivalent gains. Beef, lamb and pork prices have risen sharply for consumers, driven mainly by foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, reduced slaughter numbers and tighter supply. While producer prices have increased, they lag well behind retail prices, meaning farmers receive a much smaller share of what shoppers pay. Improved rainfall has allowed farmers to rebuild herds, while lower livestock imports from Namibia have further constrained supply. As a result, food inflation has risen, with limited short-term relief for households.
Read full story:African Farming
Date published: January 6, 2026
Extension officers drive smallholder farms towards commercial success
Extension officers are proving crucial in helping South Africa’s smallholder farmers move from subsistence to viable commercial enterprises. With fewer than 3 000 officers supporting over 2.3 million farmers, their role in providing technical advice, market access, training and links to finance is vital. Case studies from the Free State and Gauteng show how extension support has improved productivity, enabled mechanisation, strengthened market linkages and helped farmers adapt to climate shocks. Experts from the Agricultural Research Council argue that expanding and modernising extension services, alongside policy reforms and holistic funding, is essential to unlocking the full potential of land reform farming.
Read full story:Food For Mzansi
Date published: January 6, 2026
African News
Unseasonal rains boost Ivory Coast’s cocoa harvest outlook
Unexpected rainfall across Ivory Coast’s cocoa-growing regions is expected to strengthen the country’s main cocoa crop as it enters the final months of the season. Farmers report that the rains, unusual during the dry period from November to March, have improved soil moisture and pod development, supporting higher yields and better-quality beans in February and March. In several western, central and southern regions, above-average rainfall has helped maintain steady harvesting, with no abrupt slowdown expected before March. Growers believe the favourable conditions will allow the main crop to finish strongly before attention turns to the mid-crop season.
Read full story:CNBC
Date published: January 5, 2026
Global News
France tightens food import controls amid farmer anger over Mercosur deal
France has announced tougher checks on food imports in response to widespread farmer protests over what they describe as unfair competition linked to the proposed EU–Mercosur trade agreement. The government says the measures will ensure imported food meets EU standards, including banning products containing residues of substances prohibited in Europe. New decrees will initially suspend imports of certain South American produce, such as avocados and apples. French ministers have pledged to end double standards and reinforce border controls as protests intensify across France and Belgium. Analysts warn the deal could also increase pressure on UK farmers.
Read full story:Farmers Weekly
Date published: January 5, 2026
Australian farmers urge policymakers to prioritise a sustainable agricultural workforce
Australian farmers have called on policymakers to focus on building a sustainable agricultural workforce, arguing that long-term labour supply is a bigger challenge than migration settings alone. The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) says agriculture relies heavily on unskilled and semi-skilled workers, particularly in regional areas, and that policies must reflect this reality. While skilled migration remains important for specialised roles such as agronomy, machinery operation and biosecurity, the NFF believes greater emphasis should be placed on seasonal worker schemes and domestic workforce development to better support rural industries and communities.
Read full story:Fresh Plaza
Date published: January 5, 2026
Punjab launches tractor and cash support scheme for wheat farmers
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has unveiled the Punjab Tractor Scheme 2026 to boost wheat production and support small and medium-sized farmers. The programme will distribute 1,000 tractors across the province and provide cash assistance of Rs. 5,000 per acre to help farmers manage rising input costs. The scheme also includes subsidised solar tube wells, expanded credit through the Kissan Card, and access to modern machinery, much of it imported from China. The initiative aims to modernise farming practices, improve productivity and strengthen food security while promoting inclusive support for both male and female farmers.
Read full story:CCIT
Date published: January 6, 2026
Thailand mandates ‘burn-free’ corn imports to curb air pollution
Thailand has introduced a new requirement that all imported corn for animal feed must be certified as “burn-free”, as part of efforts to tackle PM2.5 air pollution linked to agricultural burning. Effective from January 1, 2026, importers must prove that corn is sourced from farms that do not use burning practices and keep traceability records for at least five years. Alongside the environmental rules, the government has sharply increased the WTO corn import quota to one million tonnes. Authorities say the policy aligns trade with environmental standards while balancing industrial demand and domestic farmer protection.
Read full story:The Nation
Date published: January 6, 2026
