South African News
South Africa’s citrus exports set to rise amid strong growing season and ongoing market risks
South Africa’s citrus industry is forecast to export up to 215 million cartons in 2026, up from 203.4 million in 2025, supported by excellent growing conditions and new orchards coming into production. Improved port efficiency, including the new Durban Gateway Terminal, has strengthened export prospects, although logistics constraints and rising costs for diesel, fertiliser and shipping remain concerns. Industry leaders also highlighted risks linked to geopolitical instability in the Middle East, a key export destination, and the need for wider market diversification, particularly in Asia. Despite these pressures, the sector remains optimistic, supported by improved risk management and its strong contribution to the national economy.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date published: April 17, 2026
Regulatory delays bring South Africa’s red meat exports to a near standstill
South Africa’s red meat exports have slowed sharply following the rollout of stricter rules under Veterinary Procedural Notice 59 and its Addendum D, introduced to strengthen traceability, biosecurity and disease control. While intended to protect access to premium markets, the rapid implementation and unclear guidance have left many producers and exporters unable to secure veterinary certification, effectively halting trade to destinations such as the UAE. Industry stakeholders say limited registered production units, inconsistent interpretation of rules and veterinary capacity constraints are causing major delays, with losses estimated in the tens of millions of rand each week. The disruption has also placed downward pressure on domestic meat prices.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date published: April 17, 2026
African News
West African migrant workers help ease Morocco’s farm labour shortage
Moroccan farms are increasingly relying on migrants from sub-Saharan West Africa to address growing labour shortages, particularly in key export-producing regions such as Souss-Massa. As more Moroccan workers move to cities for jobs in construction and services, farms producing fruit and vegetables for export have turned to migrant labour to sustain output. The shift reflects Morocco’s changing role from a transit route to a destination for migrants, many of whom had originally hoped to reach Europe. Farmers warn that labour shortages could deepen as urbanisation and demographic changes continue, making migrant workers increasingly vital to the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
Read full story: Reuters
Date published: April 17, 2026
Global News
EU turns to voluntary carbon credits as agricultural emissions plans lose momentum
The European Commission is increasingly relying on a voluntary carbon credit system to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions after shelving earlier plans for mandatory pricing measures. Under the proposed framework, farmers could earn income by adopting practices that store carbon in soil or reduce emissions, then sell the resulting credits to companies or EU member states. However, major questions remain over who will buy these credits and whether demand will be strong enough to support meaningful climate action. Critics argue the approach risks greenwashing, lacks long-term certainty for farmers, and avoids more difficult but necessary reforms such as stricter regulation and changes to agricultural subsidies.
Read full story: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)
Date published: April 16, 2026
Unmanned technology boosts grain and farm supply transport in northeast China
Railway authorities in Harbin, northeast China, are using unmanned and intelligent technologies to improve the transport of grain and essential farming materials during the spring agricultural season. Equipment such as maintenance robots, AI-powered assembly lines, intelligent control systems and robotic inspection tools has been deployed to increase freight efficiency and reliability. The technology is helping ensure the timely delivery of seeds, fertilisers, fuel and agricultural machinery to farming areas. In the first quarter of 2026, China Railway Harbin Bureau Group transported 32,797 freight cars and 2.13 million tonnes of spring farming supplies, representing a strong year-on-year increase and highlighting the growing role of automation in agricultural logistics.
Read full story: People’s Daily Online
Date published: April 17, 2026
Emergency fertiliser deal with Indonesia helps safeguard Australia’s winter crop season
Australia has secured an emergency agreement to import 250,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser from Indonesia, easing concerns over supply shortages during the critical winter planting season. The deal covers around 20% of the fertiliser required, helping farmers continue sowing key crops such as wheat, barley and canola. Supplies from the Middle East have been disrupted by the war involving Iran, causing urea prices in Australia to rise by about 60% since late February. Officials warned that reduced fertiliser use could lower crop output and increase global food prices. The agreement is also seen as vital for maintaining regional food security across Southeast Asia.
Read full story: South China Morning Post
Date published: April 17, 2026
Drought pressures Rio Grande Valley farmers as Chile prices set to climb
A prolonged drought across the Rio Grande Valley is forcing local farmers to make costly adjustments, with many shifting from traditional river irrigation to heavy reliance on groundwater wells. At Rosales Farm, rising dependence on diesel- and propane-powered pumps, combined with higher fertiliser costs, is significantly increasing production expenses. Limited snowmelt and poor reservoir levels have reduced water availability, while the loss of nutrient-rich river flows has added further strain on soil management. Although Chile production is continuing, yields have already been affected by water shortages, and consumers are likely to see modest price rises as farmers attempt to recover mounting costs.
Read full story: El Defensor Chieftain
Date published: April 16, 2026
