30 October '25 - Today in Farming

South African News 

Turkish FMD vaccine fast-tracked for import to protect South African cattle

South Africa’s dairy and beef farmers are to gain rapid access to millions of doses of a long-acting DIVA-type foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine made by Turkey’s Dollvet Biotechnology, after months of industry lobbying. Officials confirmed the vaccine could land within a week, with protocols in place to maintain state oversight of the state-controlled disease. Unlike the Botswana-sourced vaccine currently used only after outbreaks, the Dollvet product may be used preventively by commercial herds and is cheaper and longer-acting. Industry leaders framed the move as an emergency response to escalating FMD losses, while stressing biosecurity must still hold.

Read full story: African Farming 

Date published: October 29. 2025

South Africa pivots farm exports to Asia to cushion U.S. tariff shock

South Africa is diverting more agricultural exports to Asian markets after the U.S. imposed a 30% tariff and duty-free AGOA access lapsed in September. Asia currently absorbs 16% of South Africa’s farm exports, a share expected to rise after new agreements secured access for stone fruit to China and table grapes to the Philippines, as well as restored apple access to Thailand. Pretoria has also invited Chinese inspectors to clear future cherry exports. While the U.S. buys only 4% of total farm exports, exposure is high for specific products including macadamias, juice, and citrus, prompting an urgent diversification push.

Read full story: Fresh Plaza 

Date published: October 28, 2025

African News 

Egypt signs biogas pact with Italy’s Eni to accelerate clean energy shift

Egypt’s Ministry of Environment has signed a cooperation agreement with Italy’s Eni to scale up biogas production from agricultural and animal waste as part of the country’s clean energy transition. The deal — concluded in Port Said via the Bioenergy Foundation for Sustainable Development — will begin with a full feasibility study for new biogas units. The initiative sits within Eni’s €24 billion regional investment under Italy’s Mattei Plan and will involve support from Egypt’s petroleum sector under its CSR mandate. Officials said the model will be replicated in high-waste governorates to cut emissions and boost sustainable energy output.

Read full story: Bioenergy Insight 

Date published: October 29. 2025

Global News 

EU and Ukraine widen farm trade under updated quota-raising deal

The European Union has enacted a revised trade agreement with Ukraine that expands tariff quotas and liberalises additional tariff lines for agricultural products in both directions. European Agriculture Commissioner Christoph Hansen said the measures, effective from 29 October, are designed to raise bilateral farm trade while preserving solidarity with EU producers. He stressed the benefits are mutual — easing entry for Ukrainian produce into the EU while opening the Ukrainian market further to EU farm exports. Brussels argues the package strikes a balance between supporting Ukraine’s economy and protecting European farmers’ interests.

Read full story: Ukraine Business News 

Date published: October 29. 2025

Japan poised to open its market to Brazilian beef after 25-year wait

Japan is close to approving Brazilian beef imports after more than two decades of deadlock, Brazil’s agriculture minister Carlos Favaro told Bloomberg. Final sanitary protocol steps are under way after Brazil secured “FMD-free without vaccination” status earlier this year — a key Japanese precondition. Tokyo is a high-income, premium market currently dominated by the U.S. and Australia; Brazilian access would threaten U.S. shipments just as tariffs and tight U.S. cattle supply have pushed prices to records. President Lula has personally lobbied Tokyo, but Brazil must now re-engage Japan’s new government to seal the deal.

Read full story: Farm Progress 

Date published: October 28. 2025

Pakistan and Canada move to deepen agricultural cooperation and market access

Pakistan has proposed expanded agricultural collaboration with Canada in hybrid seeds, livestock breeding, embryo transfer, feed formulation and agri-machinery joint ventures, according to Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain. In talks with Canadian High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan, Islamabad also sought Canadian technical support on its BSE negligible-risk dossier and FMD control — prerequisites for entry into premium meat markets. Canada signalled readiness to grow trade in oilseeds, pulses, cereals and edible oils as Pakistan shifts away from palm oil towards canola and soy. Both sides agreed to form a Joint Working Group to advance certification, access and technical cooperation.

Read full story: Link News 

Date published: October 29. 2025

Vietnam and Australia join forces to drive innovation-led farm investment

Viet Nam and Australia co-hosted a conference in Ha Noi on 28 October focused on reshaping agricultural investment through innovation. Organised by Viet Nam’s National Innovation Centre with the Ministry of Finance, ANU’s Crawford School, and VASEA, the event stressed that technology-driven restructuring is central to Viet Nam’s 2021–2030 strategy and its ambition to become a high-income nation by 2045. ANU pledged to act as a “knowledge bridge” via policy research, technology transfer and capacity-building. Panels examined how to lift public investment efficiency, redesign farm investment for green transition goals and boost resilience to climate change.

Read full story: Nhan Dan 

Date published: October 29. 2025