South African News
Rooibos Exports Hit Record High Amid Climate Challenges in Cederberg
South African Rooibos exports reached a milestone of 10,930 tonnes in 2025, expanding to over 50 international markets, with Japan remaining the top buyer and emerging markets such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and China showing growth. Despite record exports, production in the Cederberg region fell from 17,000 tonnes in 2023 to 15,000 tonnes last year due to rising temperatures and drought pressures. Farmers and industry leaders are responding with regenerative, organic practices and stockpiling strategies, ensuring quality and origin integrity remain central. Rooibos’s single-origin status, sustainable farming methods, and potential carbon net-zero certification enhance its global appeal.
Read full story: Daily Maverick
Date Published: February 26, 2026
South Africa eases interim foot-and-mouth disease rules on slaughter and milk movement
Department of Agriculture has introduced interim amendments to foot-and-mouth disease control measures to relieve pressure on affected farmers while updated regulations are finalised. In a circular to provincial veterinary services, Botlhe Modisane confirmed changes effective from 24 February. Farms with infected or vaccinated cloven-hoofed animals must ensure individual identification and traceability, but F branding is no longer required. Controlled slaughter from quarantined premises will be expanded to registered non-export abattoirs after three months, with simplified risk mitigation. Milk from quarantined farms may undergo single pasteurisation for local markets, while export restrictions remain. Other provisions of the 2024 contingency plan continue to apply.
Read full story: African Farming
Date published: February 27, 2026
African News
Tunisia approves Serbian beef and lamb imports after certification alignment
Serbia has secured access to export beef and lamb to Tunisia following the alignment of veterinary certification requirements between the two countries. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Serbia, the agreement confirms Serbia’s compliance with food safety, animal health and traceability standards. The move broadens Tunisia’s supplier base amid rising demand, with frozen beef imports doubling between 2020 and 2024 and spending more than tripling. In 2024, suppliers included Brazil, Paraguay, India, Argentina, Australia, Poland and Ireland, as Tunisia seeks stable red meat supplies ahead of Ramadan demand.
Read full story: Ecofin Agency
Date published: February 26, 2026
Global News
Weather damage claims to farms exceed $8m as storms batter New Zealand regions
FMG has received around 800 weather-related insurance claims from farmers across several regions, with losses expected to exceed $8 million. Head of claims strategy Jacqui McIntosh said widespread damage to rural infrastructure was reported, with further claims anticipated. In Waikato, maize growers are assessing crop losses, while Federated Farmers representative Donald Stobie warned flooding could cause contamination and total crop failure. The government has classified recent storms as a medium-scale adverse event, enabling support measures. Ministers Todd McClay and Mark Patterson urged affected farmers to seek assistance through the Rural Support Trust.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date published: February 27, 2026
Peru strengthens avocado strategy to meet EU cadmium limits
Peru’s avocado sector is reinforcing national measures to comply with the European Union limit of 0.05ppm cadmium in agricultural products introduced in 2023. As the world’s second-largest exporter of Hass avocados, with most shipments bound for Europe, the industry has enhanced monitoring, sampling and traceability across the supply chain. Industry body ProHass and regulator SENASA are supporting the National Cadmium Strategic Agenda 2025–2030, led by the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation. The initiative aims to protect market access, safeguard small farmers’ livelihoods and position Peru as a reliable, sustainable supplier.
Read full story: Fresh Fruit Portal
Date published: February 26, 2026
Homestead farming model empowers Indigenous women farmers in central India
In villages across Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh, Indigenous women are transforming small backyard plots into productive, diversified farms through an agroecological homestead model led by International Water Management Institute and PRADAN. The initiative promotes crop diversification, organic inputs, rainwater harvesting and livestock integration, improving nutrition, income and resilience to erratic rainfall. Research indicates production diversity has risen sharply and diets have improved, while women are increasingly leading farm decisions as men migrate for work. Supported by solar irrigation and cooperative structures under the CGIAR programme, the approach is strengthening livelihoods despite ongoing challenges such as pests and limited resources.
Read full story: Dialogue Earth
Date published: February 26, 2026
China unveils 20-storey vertical plant factory to boost modern agriculture
A 20-storey smart vertical plant factory in Chengdu, Sichuan, is showcasing new approaches to industrialised crop production and agricultural modernisation in China. Developed by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences through its Institute of Urban Agriculture, the facility uses fully automated control of light, temperature, water and nutrients to optimise plant growth. Researchers say the system can achieve yields up to 120 times higher than traditional farming while reducing reliance on land and climate conditions. The project also aims to accelerate seed development and strengthen long-term food security.
Read full story: Vertical Farm Daily
Date published: February 26, 2026
