South African News
Wheat Farmers Face Mounting Strain as Tariff Delays Persist
South African wheat farmers are under growing financial pressure as delays to a revised wheat tariff continue to create uncertainty across the sector. Grain SA and SACOTA have issued a formal demand to government authorities for clarity after nearly two years without a final decision. Farmers are already battling rising fertiliser, fuel and freight costs, while weak global wheat prices continue to squeeze profitability. Industry leaders warn that declining wheat plantings are becoming entrenched, with some producers switching to alternative crops such as canola. Concerns are also mounting over the wider impact on food security, rural employment and long-term sustainability in the wheat industry.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date published: May 29, 2026
High Input Costs Put Land Reform Progress at Risk
Rising fertiliser and fuel costs are placing severe strain on South Africa’s land reform beneficiaries, raising concerns over food security and the long-term success of the programme. With more than 80% of fertiliser imported, local agriculture remains highly exposed to global supply disruptions, currency volatility and geopolitical tensions. Vumelana Advisory Fund CEO Peter Setou warned that many land reform beneficiaries lack the financial resources, governance structures and post-settlement support needed to withstand escalating input costs. He argued that underutilised land could still become productive if government and private partners provide stronger support focused on finance, market access, governance and long-term sustainability.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date published: May 29, 2026
African News
Egypt Expands Poultry Trade with First Dried-Egg Exports
Egypt has launched its first shipment of dried egg products to Jordan as the country seeks to expand poultry exports across the Middle East and manage growing domestic oversupply. The initial 30-tonne consignment is expected to be followed by further exports to the UAE, while negotiations continue with Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait. Demand for powdered egg products has increased across the region, particularly in the confectionery and food-processing sectors. Industry leaders say export growth is becoming essential for balancing the local market, generating foreign currency and easing pressure caused by surplus poultry and egg production after the sector’s recovery from avian influenza outbreaks.
Read full story: Poultry World
Date published: May 29, 2026
Global News
New Programme Aims to Support Europe’s Next Generation of Farmers
A new initiative backed by the PepsiCo Foundation and EIT Food will support 900 young farmers across France, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and Türkiye during 2026. The Future Harvest programme is designed to address growing concerns over Europe’s ageing farming workforce and the long-term resilience of the food system. Participants will receive training in regenerative agriculture, agritech, climate resilience, leadership and farm business management through online learning, mentoring and on-farm support. Organisers say the programme will help younger farmers build sustainable and profitable businesses while strengthening succession planning and encouraging innovation across the agricultural sector.
Read full story: New Food Magazine
Date published: May 28, 2026
Myanmar Farmers Struggle as Fuel and Fertiliser Costs Soar
Myanmar’s rice farmers are facing severe financial pressure as soaring fuel and fertiliser prices, linked to global supply disruptions caused by the Iran conflict, threaten agricultural production and livelihoods. The country imports most of its fuel and fertiliser, leaving farmers highly exposed to international shocks and rising shipping costs. Many growers say they are reducing fertiliser use because they can no longer afford it, increasing fears of lower harvests and deeper food insecurity. The crisis comes on top of Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, economic instability and displacement crisis, while forecasts of a strong El Niño weather pattern could further damage already fragile farming conditions.
Read full story: The Irrawaddy
Date published: May 29, 2026
Turning Crop Waste into Clean Energy: How Green Hydrogen Could Transform Indian Farming
Crop residue burning in northern India has long contributed to severe winter air pollution, but emerging green hydrogen technology could turn this agricultural waste into a valuable resource. The article explores how paddy straw, wheat stalks and maize residues could be converted into clean fuel, offering farmers new income streams while reducing environmental damage. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, could also stabilise fertiliser costs by replacing imported natural gas in ammonia production. In addition, it may improve rural energy access through microgrids and eventually power cleaner farm machinery, reducing diesel dependence. While challenges remain around cost and infrastructure, India’s policy push suggests growing momentum towards integrating farmers into the clean energy economy.
Read full story: The Better India
Date published: May 29, 2026
Five Key Steps Identified to Accelerate Digital Agriculture Innovation in Canada
A new report from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) and EMILI outlines five actions needed to speed up digital innovation in Canada’s agri-food sector, warning that the country risks falling behind if adoption does not accelerate. The report highlights persistent barriers including high upfront costs, rural connectivity gaps, data governance concerns and complex system integration, which continue to limit full-scale uptake of agtech despite strong investment levels. It calls for clearer regulation, better funding for scaling, stronger trust in data systems and a shift towards treating digital agriculture as a whole-system transformation. Experts argue that innovation must move beyond pilot projects to become practical, scalable and economically viable for producers across the supply chain.
Read full story: Emili Canada
Date published: May 27, 2026
