South African News
Middle East tensions threaten South African farm exports and fuel costs
Escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States is raising concerns across South Africa’s agricultural sector as disrupted airspace and shipping routes threaten exports. Industry leaders warn that delays, rerouting and higher insurance costs could affect shipments of citrus, apples, pears and beef, particularly to Gulf markets. Although the citrus season has only just begun and early lemon exports remain small, uncertainty is growing. Economists say the most immediate impact could be rising oil prices if key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted. Higher fuel costs would increase transport expenses, risk inflation and place additional pressure on South Africa’s export-dependent farming industry.
Read full story: Food for Mzansi
Date Published: March 5, 2026
Cheap sugar imports squeeze RCL Foods profits
RCL Foods has warned that South Africa’s sugar industry is under severe pressure as a surge of cheaper imported sugar erodes local profitability. The company reported a 14.6% drop in underlying EBITDA to R1.185 billion for the six months to December 2025, largely due to its struggling sugar division, where earnings nearly halved. Executives say insufficient tariff protection, lower global prices and a stronger rand have encouraged deep-sea imports, costing the domestic market an estimated R1.5 billion and hurting local sugarcane growers. While grocery and baked goods divisions remained stable, RCL is urging government and trade authorities to urgently revise tariff mechanisms to better shield the local industry.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: March 5, 2026
African News
Precision drip irrigation boosts sugarcane yields across Africa
Precision irrigation technologies are transforming sugarcane farming in Africa by improving efficiency and boosting yields while reducing water and energy use. Subsurface drip systems deliver water and fertiliser directly to plant roots, minimising evaporation and runoff and lowering pumping costs. Industry experts say yields can potentially double compared with traditional irrigation, while crops mature faster. Automation platforms also allow farmers to monitor irrigation, fertiliser application and system performance remotely, reducing labour and human error. With arable land shrinking, water becoming scarcer and energy costs rising, many growers are adopting these systems to increase productivity on smaller areas and secure the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry.
Read full story: Food for Mzansi
Date Published: March 4, 2026
Global News
New Zealand and Chile sign agricultural cooperation agreement
New Zealand and Chile have signed a new Strategic Agricultural Arrangement for 2026–2030 aimed at strengthening cooperation and supporting growth in their farming sectors. The agreement will promote knowledge exchange, joint research and innovation, and collaboration on sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Officials say the two countries share similar farming systems, geography and support for open, rules-based trade, making partnership beneficial for tackling common challenges. The deal also focuses on developing skills and strengthening regional and global collaboration. Agricultural trade between the nations reached about $342.94 million in the year to September 2025, highlighting the importance of the relationship for farmers, producers and exporters.
Read full story: Rural News Group
Date Published: March 5, 2026
Breakthrough research could reduce costly canola pod shattering
Researchers at the University of Calgary have developed a potential solution to reduce pod shattering in canola, a major cause of crop losses during harvest. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, identifies a protein that strengthens the pod structure by increasing lignin, helping prevent pods from bursting open prematurely. Trials showed a dramatic improvement, reducing breakage from around seven in ten pods to just one in ten. The innovation could allow farmers to harvest canola in a single pass rather than swathing first, cutting labour and fuel costs. Researchers say the approach could also be applied to other crops such as soybeans and field peas.
Read full story: The Western Producer
Date Published: March 5, 2026
Chinese scientist advances wheat breeding to strengthen food security
Chinese agricultural researcher Gao Derong is advancing wheat breeding through molecular technology to improve yields, disease resistance and national food security. Working at the Lixiahe Agricultural Research Institute in Jiangsu province, Gao and his team developed a wheat variety resistant to fusarium head blight, a major disease that can devastate harvests. The crop can produce up to nine tonnes per hectare while requiring fewer pesticides. The team has also created fast-growing and weak-gluten wheat varieties suited to southern China’s tight rice–wheat rotation and to baking industries. Their work supports China’s efforts to boost domestic grain production and reduce reliance on imported flour.
Read full story: China Daily
Date Published: March 5, 2026
Heavy snowfall damages orchards and farm facilities in northern Japan
Record winter snowfall in Japan’s Tohoku region and Niigata Prefecture has caused widespread agricultural damage, including broken apple tree branches and collapsed greenhouses. In Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, heavy snow has harmed apple orchards, raising fears of reduced harvests after significant losses last year. Nearby areas such as Akita Prefecture also reported damage to dozens of agricultural facilities, with some farmers losing nearly half their greenhouses. Snow-covered farm roads are slowing inspections and recovery efforts. Experts warn prolonged snowfall linked to warmer sea temperatures may worsen such events, urging improved greenhouse reinforcement, faster snow clearance and stronger support measures for affected growers.
Read full story: Horti Daily
Date Published: March 4, 2026
