South African News
Global Olive Oil Price Drop Puts Pressure on South African Producers
South African olive oil producers are being urged to compete on quality, freshness and provenance as recovering global supplies drive prices down and increase competition from imports. Global production reached a record 3.57 million tons in 2024/25, while Spanish producer prices have fallen from about €9/kg in early 2024 to around €4.10/kg. SA Olive chairperson Richard Allen said local producers should not rely on another supply shortage to support prices, which could remain between R70 and R100/l. He encouraged greater efficiency across production while highlighting South Africa’s reputation for high-quality extra virgin olive oil, with 96 oils receiving medals at the 2026 SA Olive Awards.
Read full story: Farmers Weekly
Date published: September 21, 2026
Landrace Seeds Could Strengthen South Africa’s Climate ResilienceSouth Africa’s anticipated 2026/27 El Niño season could bring below-average rainfall, higher temperatures and increased agricultural risks, highlighting the potential value of locally adapted landrace seeds. Traditional varieties of crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, cowpea, bambara, groundnut and indigenous vegetables often contain genetic traits that improve resilience to drought, heat and poor soils. While they are not a replacement for modern commercial varieties, landraces can help maintain genetic diversity, support smallholder farmers and provide valuable material for breeding climate-resilient crops. Strengthening community seed banks, farmer-led seed saving and participatory breeding could help safeguard food production as climate conditions become more unpredictable.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date published: September 22, 2026
African News
Africa Urged to Shift from Emergency Food Aid to Market-Driven Growth
African ministers and development leaders have called for a shift from emergency food interventions towards resilient, market-driven agricultural systems. The African Development Bank’s $1.5 billion Emergency Food Production Facility reached nearly 15 million farmers across 34 countries, supporting an additional 45 million tonnes of food production and delivering certified seed and fertiliser. Speakers at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali said these gains must now be converted into lasting improvements in seed and fertiliser supply, finance, insurance, irrigation and agricultural markets. They also stressed stronger public-private partnerships, technology adoption and investment in preparedness to help African food systems withstand future shocks.
Read full story: African Development Bank
Date published: September 21, 2026
Global News
China-US Agricultural Cooperation Could Support Soil Health and Climate Resilience
China and the US could use agricultural cooperation to address shared challenges including soil degradation, climate change, food security and inefficient use of fertiliser and water. The article argues that expanding regenerative agriculture, including conservation farming, cover crops, drip fertigation and integrated crop-livestock systems, could increase production while reducing inputs and storing more carbon in soils. Carbon farming could provide farmers with an additional income stream through payments for ecosystem services, particularly on degraded land. The author also stresses that food security should encompass nutritional quality, not just grain volumes, and suggests China-US collaboration could provide a model for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture globally.
Read full story: China Daily Global
Date published: September 22, 2026
Delayed Wet Season Raises Risks for Indonesian Farmers
Indonesia is expecting a delayed and shorter-than-usual rainy season, with around 61% of the country’s land area forecast to experience later rainfall. The wet season is now expected to begin in early November, with El Niño continuing to affect weather conditions into the first quarter of 2027. Farmers have been advised to adjust planting schedules and select shorter-cycle crop varieties. Drought has already reduced cocoa production by up to 15%, while sugarcane output fell by an estimated 25% in 2026. Rice production could decline by 10% in 2027, while palm oil output is forecast to fall by 2–8% as the impacts of drought continue.
Read full story: The Straits Times
Date published: September 22, 2026
US Farmers More Sceptical of AI Benefits Than Argentine Producers
Farmers in the US and Argentina have differing views of the benefits of artificial intelligence and data-driven agricultural tools, according to surveys conducted in 2026. In the US, 52% of respondents saw no meaningful benefit, while 23% identified increased production, 14% reduced labour and 11% reduced risk or uncertainty as key benefits. Among Argentine producers, increased production accounted for 37% of responses, followed by reduced risk at 28%, reduced labour at 14% and no meaningful benefit at 21%. The authors suggest usability, trust and the ease of integrating AI recommendations into farm decision-making may influence perceptions, although differences in survey design limit direct comparisons.
Read full story: Successful Farming
Date published: September 21, 2026
Canada Invests $3.8 Million To Diversify Pork Export Markets
Canada is investing up to $3.8 million to promote pork exports and develop new international markets as global trade patterns shift. About 65% of Canadian pork production is exported, but shipments to several Asian markets have declined in 2026, including China, Japan and the Philippines. Meanwhile, exports to Mexico rose by nearly 13% in volume, while shipments to the US increased by 3.6%. The funding will support trade shows, missions, buyer meetings and promotion of the Verified Canadian Pork brand, highlighting food safety, animal care, quality and traceability. Market diversification is seen as increasingly important for reducing reliance on individual destinations and managing trade and disease-related risks.
Read full story: Swineweb
Date published: September 21, 2026
