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South Africa has dropped five places in Kearney’s latest global ranking of the most attractive developing countries for foreign investment, falling to 12th out of 25.The main reason for the decline is the struggling mining sector, where output fell 2.7% year-on-year in November due to broken transport and logistics networks affecting coal and iron ore exports.
Baie Wes-Kaapse graanboere het reeds begin plant, terwyl vrugteboere die weervoorspellings fyn dophou. Ondergemiddelde reën word vir die komende winter voorspel, maar veral boere in die Suid-Kaap, waar 2025 reeds baie droog was, hoop dat broodnodige reën wel oor die droë kolle sal uitsak.In die Mosselbaai-distrik lyk toestande vanjaar beter as in 2025.
Africa is capturing only about 2% of its vast carbon credit potential, despite booming global demand for emissions offsets and the continent holding roughly 15% of global carbon sequestration capacity.
Urea prices continued their sharp upward climb this week, rising more than 4% on international benchmarks despite the announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East.
AgriSA en Agbiz sê hulle bly verbind tot samewerking met die regering en ander belanghebbendes om die landbousektor te beskerm te midde van geopolitieke onsekerheid.Die organisasies verwelkom die regering se tydelike verlaging van die algemene brandstofheffing met R3 per liter vir April.
Urea prices continued their sharp upward climb this week, rising more than 4% on international benchmarks despite the announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East.
Die publikasie van die nuwe Seksie 10-regulasies vir bek-en-klouseer (BKS) het 'n belangrike debat ontketen oor wie uiteindelik beheer oor die skema moet hê. Voorlopige kommentaar van die bedryfskoördineringsraad (ICC) wat uitgelek het, toon 'n duidelike verskil in benadering tussen die staat en die bedryf. Die ICC stel voor dat die toesigkomitee die proses eerder moet "fasiliteer" as om dit te "beheer".
The global strawberry market in 2026 features rising supply across regions, yet success hinges more on precise timing, consistent quality, and alignment with demand windows than on sheer volume.
In 2025, the total area of certified organic farmland in the Netherlands grew by 3.1% to 86,900 hectares, marking a net increase of over 2,500 hectares after 7,800 hectares were newly certified and 5,300 hectares were lost.
South Africa now has a formal Routine Vaccination Scheme for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), published in the Government Gazette on 10 April 2026 under Section 10 of the Animal Diseases Act.
Die landbou-organisasie, TLU SA doen 'n beroep op die publiek om pogings te ondersteun wat boere se geestesgesondheid bevorder. Die pleidooi volg op die 'kus-tot-kus vir boere'-veldtog, waartydens 'n span van kus tot kus per jetski gereis het wat die druk wat boere moet verwerk uitgelig het, insluitend markonsekerheid, stygende koste, regulatoriese uitdagings en sosiale isolasie.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues to put heavy pressure on South Africa’s livestock industry, affecting market access, farmer livelihoods, and disease control systems.During a panel discussion at the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba 2026 in Pretoria, veterinary experts, farmer organisations, and industry leaders highlighted the practical challenges producers face.
Vrugteboere moet ’n moeilike balans vind tussen die waterbehoeftes van mense, die planeet en winsgewendheid. ’n Benadering wat slegs op waterdoeltreffendheid (hoeveel kilogram vrugte per 1 000 liter water) fokus, terwyl die strewe na hoëgehalte-vrugte geïgnoreer word, versteur egter hierdie balans.
The first South African avocados arrived in Rotterdam two weeks ago, marking the start of the export season.According to Derek Donkin, CEO of Subtrop, the war in the Middle East has not had a drastic impact on South African avocado exports, as the main focus remains on Europe. However, South African shipments are coinciding with early arrivals from smaller Peruvian growers.
The Department of Agriculture and the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) have welcomed the successful amendment of the plant health protocol for exporting South African citrus to China.
Markets are entering a more uncertain phase as post-Easter demand begins to ease and supply levels increase across key sectors.Meat prices typically soften during this period, but 2026 may be different due to rising fuel costs and shifting market dynamics, which could lead to more unpredictable price movements.
The World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) has warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East is disrupting global oil, gas, and fertiliser markets, posing a serious threat to agricultural production and food security worldwide.Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz — a vital route for energy and fertiliser trade — are already driving up input costs, shipping expenses, and logistics challenges
South Africa’s agricultural machinery sales slowed in March 2026 after 14 months of positive performance. Tractor sales dropped 8% year-on-year to 618 units, while combine harvester sales fell 22% to 29 units.
Although the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran has caused oil prices to drop sharply, agricultural economists warn that the long-term impact of significantly higher diesel prices will continue to put pressure on South Africa’s farming sector for some time.A potential backlog of up to 150 oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz means it will take weeks, possibly months, to normalise fuel supplies.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has forecast warmer-than-usual temperatures across most of the country during late autumn and winter, while above-normal rainfall is expected mainly along the southern and eastern coastal regions.
South Africa’s agriculture sector risks losing competitiveness because ongoing crisis management at government level is crowding out long-term planning and effective implementation.AgriSA warns that while the country has many good plans to support agriculture, the real problem is the inability to execute them.
Africa’s agrifood systems continue to face serious external pressures — from trade disruptions, rising fertilizer and fuel costs, climate variability, and conflict. Yet the most important decisions shaping the continent’s food future are made on the continent itself, through national budgets, policies, and investment choices.
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These headlines highlight the dominant themes of geopolitical disruption (especially the Middle East conflict), input cost volatility, technological transformation, climate and weather risks, and food security challenges shaping global agriculture right now.
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50 key international headlines capturing the major global agriculture, farming, and agritech trends as of Friday, 10 April 2026
- Global food prices rise for the second month in March as Middle East conflict drives up energy and fertilizer costs (FAO).
- Fertilizer prices surge 15-25% worldwide after Strait of Hormuz disruptions cut off key urea and phosphate supplies.
- U.S. farmers plan less corn and more soybeans for 2026 planting season amid high input costs (USDA Prospective Plantings).
- All wheat planted area in U.S. projected to hit near-record lows in 2026 due to tight margins.
- Brazil on track for large soybean harvest but shrinking profit margins threaten future acreage expansion.
- Iran war pushes Brent oil above $110/barrel, triggering sharp rises in global diesel and fertilizer prices.
- Grain markets volatile in April as traders await USDA WASDE report on 9 April.
- Localized soybean harvest delays persist in eastern Brazil due to weather.
- Heavy rains and flooding risks slow corn and soybean harvest in parts of Argentina.
- Fertilizer shortages force some Australian farmers to abandon planting for 2026 season.
- AI and digital tools help Nigerian smallholders improve soil health and crop management.
- Precision agriculture adoption accelerates among younger farmers seeking ROI in tight-margin environment.
- Generative AI becomes field-ready for predictive analytics and farm decision-making in 2026.
- Carbon markets shift from theory to practical revenue stream for farmers in 2026.
- Regenerative agriculture and soil health practices gain priority amid rising input costs and climate risks.
- Geopolitical risks from Strait of Hormuz raise long-term concerns for global fertilizer supply security.
- South African citrus exports expected to grow 3-5% despite Middle East disruptions and South American competition.
- Port of Durban concessions unlock over R1 billion in private investment to boost agricultural export terminals.
- China advances five-year plan to accelerate agricultural modernization and food security.
- Ukraine confirms no restrictions on wheat exports for 2025/26 season due to strong harvest.
- Retail fertilizer prices in U.S. continue climbing, with nitrogen products leading gains.
- Farmers worldwide explore reduced fertilizer rates and shifts to less nitrogen-intensive crops.
- Smart tech trends for 2026 highlight improved connectivity, interoperability, and automation in farming.
- Agri-tech investment focuses on climate-resilient varieties and digital traceability tools.
- Robotics and autonomous equipment address labour shortages in key farming regions.
- Export diversification becomes critical as geopolitical tensions disrupt traditional trade routes.
- Global agricultural prices projected to ease modestly in 2026 but weather and trade risks remain high (World Bank).
- Southeast Asia’s agritech sector offers $90 billion growth opportunity through 2026.
- India strengthens agricultural ties with Africa via rice aid and export strategies.
- Japan’s retail rice prices fall for seventh consecutive week.
- Pakistan warns farmers against early rice sowing to avoid potential crop losses.
- NASA technologies support precision agriculture and crop monitoring advancements.
- Biofuel policy updates expected to influence U.S. crop planting decisions in 2026.
- Slowing global demand and strong production outlook shape cautious 2026 farm income forecasts.
- Blended finance and partnership models gain traction to address “missing middle” in land reform.
- Coca-Cola announces R17.6 billion investment in South Africa through 2030 for production expansion.
- Farm bankruptcies trend upward in U.S. as tight margins persist into 2026.
- Red crown rot emerges as serious new soybean threat across Midwest U.S.
- Higher-for-longer interest rates remain reality for farmers in 2026.
- Biologicals boom continues as farmers seek lower-input solutions in 2026.
- Global grain markets at crossroads with abundant supply but intense competition.
- South Africa records record agricultural exports of US$15.1 billion in 2025.
- Middle East conflict raises war-risk insurance premiums for fertilizer shipments.
- U.S. corn production costs climb to $166 per acre amid fertilizer and fuel spikes.
- Farmers shift planting decisions as high input costs force acreage adjustments.
- Agri-tech spend shifts toward platform-scale deployments of autonomy and data tools.
- China issues action plan to speed up agricultural modernization over next five years.
- Global food prices rose again in March due to energy and fertilizer shocks from Iran war.
- Weather remains critical factor with rains aiding U.S. winter wheat but slowing South American harvest.
- April 2026 shaping up as month of cautious optimism mixed with input cost volatility and geopolitical uncertainty for global agriculture.
These headlines reflect the dominant themes as of 10 April 2026: geopolitical shocks and fertilizer/fuel price surges, planting adjustments in major producers, agritech acceleration, and export resilience amid volatility. Markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the Middle East and the next USDA WASDE report.
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CEO of Eskom earns R13m per year and is a civil servant. pic.twitter.com/PR1XjRIIWl
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