South African News
Wool And Red Meat Producers Urged to Move Closer to Markets
Wool and red meat producers must increasingly understand market requirements and demonstrate the origin, safety and production methods behind their products. At a panel discussion at Nampo Cape, industry leaders highlighted growing demands for traceability, sustainability, animal welfare and biosecurity. Export markets such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia set specific requirements, making compliance essential to maintaining market access. Producers were urged to strengthen communication with processors and consumers, while industry organisations were encouraged to work together on shared challenges including disease outbreaks and predation. The panel stressed that producing high-quality products is no longer enough; trust, transparency and collaboration across the value chain are becoming increasingly important.
Read full story: Farmers Weekly
Date Published: September 10, 2026
South African Cherries Gain Access to China
South Africa’s cherry industry has secured first-time access to China following a trade protocol signed between the two countries on 8 September 2026. China imported about 586,900 tonnes of cherries worth US$3.3 billion in 2025, making it the world’s largest cherry market. The new access is expected to encourage investment in South African cherry production and create around 600 jobs. Exporters see opportunities to capitalise on South Africa’s early-season supply, with fruit expected to arrive before major Chilean volumes. However, meeting Chinese preferences for larger cherries and securing rapid delivery, potentially through airfreight, will be important to capturing premium prices.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date Published: September 10, 2026
African News
Morocco And Australia Explore Joint Conservation Agriculture Project
Morocco’s National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) is working with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the University of Queensland to develop a new project focused on conservation agriculture and soil health. The initiative builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2026 and aims to develop farming solutions suited to Morocco’s conditions. It supports the country’s Génération Green 2020–2030 strategy by promoting sustainable farming, climate resilience, natural resource conservation and improved farmer livelihoods. The project could also strengthen cooperation through the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, with further discussions planned with Moroccan agricultural stakeholders.
Read full story: North Africa Post
Date Published: September 9, 2026
Global News
India Could Boost Oilseed Production Without Expanding Cropland
India could substantially increase oilseed production without expanding planted area if the results from model farms can be replicated commercially. In Rajasthan, soybean yields on demonstration farms are approaching 2 t/ha, almost twice the national average, while groundnut yields could exceed 2.5 t/ha. Around 450 soybean and groundnut model farms are currently operating across Rajasthan and neighbouring districts, using improved nutrient management and input practices. Scaling up these yields could increase domestic oilseed supplies and reduce reliance on imports. India also plans to establish around 3,000 model farms for mustard, although uneven monsoon rainfall remains a significant risk.
Read full story: Ukr Agro Consult
Date Published: September 10, 2026
Japanese Rice Farmers Exit Industry at Record Pace
Japanese rice farmers are leaving the industry at a record rate in 2026, with 32 farming businesses closing voluntarily or entering bankruptcy between January and August. An ageing workforce, rising operating costs and falling rice prices are putting increasing pressure on producers, with voluntary closures potentially reaching a fourth consecutive annual record. Meanwhile, private-sector rice inventories have reached their highest level on record, raising expectations of a sharp decline in prices for the 2026 new crop. Some farmers say their businesses are no longer financially viable, prompting concerns about the sustainability of Japan’s rice sector and the country’s ability to maintain a stable supply of its staple food.
Read full story: News On Japan
Date Published: September 9, 2026
El Niño Puts Latin America’s Food Security Under Pressure
A potentially intense El Niño event is threatening food security across Latin America through droughts, floods, wildfires and extreme temperatures. Small-scale farmers are particularly vulnerable, with reduced yields of crops such as maize, beans, rice, cocoa and coffee likely to affect food supplies and push up prices. The region already faces high costs for healthy diets, leaving low-income households especially exposed. Experts are calling for stronger early-warning systems, climate information for farmers, better water management, climate insurance and more resilient local food systems. Governments and agricultural organisations must also address structural inequality and ensure weather forecasts reach decision-makers in time to support preventative action.
Read full story: Havana Times
Date Published: September 9, 2026
NZ Arable Sector Unites to Drive Revival
New Zealand’s arable sector has identified five priorities to support its revival, with industry bodies, growers, researchers and government committing to a co-ordinated programme of action. The priorities include improving on-farm profitability and cost management, strengthening market intelligence, building closer links with the dairy and livestock sectors, improving transport and logistics, and increasing consumer recognition of New Zealand-grown grains. The sector faces pressure from high production costs, global oversupply and weak prices, which have reduced export competitiveness. Industry leaders said collaboration across the supply chain will be essential to strengthen resilience, create value, increase demand and improve growers’ returns.
Read full story: Farmers Weekly
Date Published: September 10, 2026
