South African News
South Africa Posts Record First-Quarter Agricultural Trade Surplus
South Africa’s agricultural sector achieved its highest-ever first-quarter trade surplus in 2026, reaching US$1.55 billion, a 16.1% increase on the same period last year. The result was driven largely by a 10.6% decline in imports to US$1.76 billion, while exports remained steady at US$3.30 billion. Horticultural products, including grapes, citrus, apples, pears, wine, berries and tree nuts, accounted for 55% of exports, reinforcing the sector’s importance to the economy. Despite the strong performance, challenges remain, including Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions on livestock exports, declining exports to the United States, and the need to diversify export markets and products.
Read full story: AgriSA
Date Published: June 8, 2026
Drakensberg Sheep Farmers Adapt as Climate Change Intensifies Pressures
Climate change is increasingly threatening the livelihoods of smallholder sheep farmers in South Africa’s Drakensberg grasslands, where rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall and extreme weather are reducing pasture quality, increasing livestock diseases and causing higher lamb mortality. Research involving 89 farmers found that communities are responding through measures such as rotational grazing, supplementary feeding, crossbreeding for resilience, land rehabilitation and indigenous weather forecasting. However, support varies between villages, leaving some farmers more vulnerable than others. The study highlights the need for stronger government assistance, including early warning systems, veterinary services, water infrastructure and community-based adaptation programmes to strengthen long-term resilience.
Read full story: All Africa
Date Published: June 8, 2026
African News
Tanzania and Belarus Strengthen Agricultural Partnership to Drive Modernisation and Trade
Tanzania and Belarus have agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, with a focus on value addition, modern farming technologies and greater private sector involvement to enhance productivity and trade. During discussions in Minsk, officials from both countries highlighted opportunities to expand trade in key Tanzanian exports, including coffee, tea, cashew nuts and horticultural products. The partnership will also support technical exchange programmes centred on mechanisation and modern farming equipment. In addition, both sides explored investment opportunities in fertiliser production to serve Tanzania and regional markets. The agreement reinforces commitments to existing bilateral partnerships aimed at boosting food production, trade and rural development.
Read full story: All Africa
Date Published: June 8, 2026
Global News
Rising Food Costs Spur Growing Interest in Container Farming Across Canada
Growing concern over food prices and demand for locally produced food is driving increased interest in container farming across Canada. Ottawa-based Growcer reports strong interest from schools, municipalities and Indigenous communities seeking reliable local food solutions. The company has spent the past year integrating the assets and farming network of former competitor Freight Farms following its acquisition in 2025, creating a combined knowledge base of more than 20 years in modular and vertical farming. Growcer has also launched a financing programme that reduces upfront costs for growers, while continuing research into improving yields, food quality and production efficiency through advances in cultivation technology.
Read full story: Vertical Farming Daily
Date Published: June 8, 2026
Argentina Regains Avian Influenza-Free Status and Moves to Reopen Export Markets
Argentina has officially regained its status as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) after closing its final commercial poultry outbreaks and completing the required disease-free period without new cases. The restoration of this status is a major boost for the country’s poultry industry, enabling efforts to reopen international markets that had imposed restrictions on Argentine poultry products. Authorities implemented extensive surveillance, containment and sanitation measures to meet international health standards. Industry leaders welcomed the development as a key step towards restoring exports, generating foreign currency earnings and supporting employment, while stressing the continued importance of strong biosecurity and disease monitoring.
Read full story: Nong Nghiep Moi Truong
Date Published: Publication date not provided in the article.
China Launches Five-Year Strategy to Modernise Agriculture and Strengthen Food Security
China has unveiled a new five-year plan for 2026–2030 aimed at accelerating agricultural and rural modernisation, improving food security and increasing sector efficiency. The strategy targets grain production capacity of around 725 million tonnes by 2030 and seeks to raise agricultural product safety compliance rates to at least 98%. Key priorities include advancing agricultural science and technology, expanding high-tech farming, increasing meat and crop production, promoting environmentally sustainable practices, improving rural infrastructure and boosting farmers’ incomes. The plan also emphasises innovation in intelligent breeding, autonomous technologies, new-energy machinery and alternative food products, while increasing the contribution of scientific and technological progress to agricultural development.
Read full story: UKr Agro Consult
Date Published: June 8, 2026
Japanese Farmers Expand Heat-Resistant Rice Cultivation as Summers Grow Hotter
Japanese farmers are increasingly planting heat-resistant rice varieties to combat the effects of rising summer temperatures and protect crop quality and yields. In 2025, heat-resistant rice accounted for a record 18.2% of the country’s staple rice acreage, nearly three times the level seen a decade ago, with cultivation expanding across 44 prefectures. The shift has been particularly strong in western Japan, where some regions now devote nearly half or more of their rice-growing area to these varieties. Experts say the move is essential as heat damage has contributed to rice shortages, but they also stress the need for stronger marketing efforts to improve consumer awareness and demand.
Read full story: Asia News Network
Date Published: June 9, 2026
