South African News
Treasury’s El Niño Warning Strengthens Case for Solar Power on Farms
South African farmers face rising energy costs and lower agricultural output as El Niño conditions are expected to affect production from late 2026 into 2027. National Treasury has increased its contingency reserve to R10 billion to help address drought, El Niño and further energy price increases. Oil prices are forecast to rise by around 41% in 2026, while electricity price inflation is projected at 8.3% this year and 8.2% in 2027. RenEnergy’s Juandré Pitout says solar and battery systems could help farmers control costs by reducing reliance on diesel and grid electricity for irrigation pumping and cold storage.
Read full story: MTBPS Commentary
Date published: October 21, 2026
Royal Show Lamb Carcass Sets South African Record at R110 580
A 36.86kg Dormer lamb carcass from 2 Broers Dormers in the Eastern Cape sold for a record R110 580, excluding VAT, at the 2026 Royal Show, equivalent to R3 000/kg. The sale exceeded the previous reported South African record of R72 000 by approximately 54%, although the earlier sale achieved a higher price per kilogram. Vredesig Dormers & Suffolk in the Western Cape was the leading exhibitor in the carcass competition, winning six of the 12 awards, including the Royal Champion Lamb Carcass title. Hatari Farming won the Champion Lamb on the Hoof title, while Gras Karoo Dormers performed strongly in the group classes.
Read full story: Farmers Weekly
Date published: October 21, 2026
African News
Zimbabwe Plans US$500 Million Food Security Reserve Amid El Niño Drought Threat
Zimbabwe is planning a US$500 million food security reserve to mitigate the potential effects of El Niño-related drought on agricultural production and food supplies during the 2026/27 farming season. The proposed allocation comprises US$250 million in cash and US$250 million for grain purchases, with funding expected to be included in the 2027 national budget. The country forecasts a 2027 maize harvest of 1.6 million tonnes, almost 30% below expected 2026 output and well short of annual demand of 2.2 million tonnes. The government has already purchased approximately 200,000 tonnes of maize and is strengthening drought preparedness and agricultural resilience measures.
Read full story: Sustainability News Africa
Date published: October 20, 2026
Global News
Punjab Launches £300,000 Climate-Resilient Farming Project in Desert Regions
Pakistan’s Punjab government has announced a £300,000, 12-month pilot project to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture in the Cholistan and Thal desert regions. The initiative will support farmers through climate-smart crop strategies, digital advisory platforms, early-warning systems, crop insurance and improved market access. The Punjab Agriculture Department will lead implementation, with support from other government departments, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, research institutions and private-sector partners. Field demonstrations will introduce practical farming techniques, while the final two months will focus on evaluating results and developing a roadmap to expand successful approaches across other arid regions.
Read full story: Daily Times
Date published: October 22, 2026
Bangladesh Faces Growing Food Security Challenges Despite Strong Rice Production
Bangladesh’s food security remains under pressure from rising living costs, climate-related disasters, weak agricultural markets and nutritional deficiencies, despite significant progress in rice production. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projected that 18.1 million people could face acute food insecurity between September and December 2026, up from 15.3 million in the preceding period. Higher input costs, inadequate returns for farmers, post-harvest losses and reliance on imported food commodities are adding to the challenges. Recommended measures include climate-resilient farming, fairer farm-gate prices, improved storage and distribution, transparent market monitoring and targeted social protection to improve access to affordable, nutritious food.
Read full story: Daily Sun
Date published: October 22, 2026
Japan’s Restaurants Face Leafy Greens Shortages as Prices Surge
Japanese restaurant chains are facing shortages and rising prices for leafy greens following September’s record run of rainy days and limited sunshine, which hindered crop growth. Between 5 and 7 October, lettuce prices reached ¥1,143/kg, around double the five-year average, while Chinese cabbage rose 70% to ¥501/kg and cabbage increased 50% to ¥310/kg. Japan’s agriculture ministry expects shortages to continue at least until the end of October, with the timing of a return to normal supplies uncertain. Restaurant chain Royal Host has responded by replacing lettuce in salads and side dishes with cabbage and kale.
Read full story: Vertical Farming
Date published: October 21, 2026
China’s US Soybean Purchases Approach 15 million Tonnes
China’s state-owned trading firms have booked an estimated 15 million tonnes of US soybeans for the 2026/27 marketing year, following another round of purchases totalling 10–13 cargoes for shipment between December and March. The buying brings China beyond halfway towards a reported US target of 25 million tonnes for the season, under a broader trade arrangement covering American agricultural products. Sustained demand is helping reduce surplus US stocks, although abundant supplies are limiting gains in soybean futures prices. Brazilian and Argentine exporters are monitoring developments closely, as renewed Chinese demand for US soybeans could affect their market share in 2027.
Read full story: Global Agriculture
Date published: October 21, 2026
