World Agrinews

South Africa may reach record canola production in 2026

agroconf1 — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:24:36 +0000

29.04.2026

South Africa’s canola production is expected to continue expanding, with output in the 2026/27 season potentially reaching a new record. Farmers are increasing planted area in response to strong demand for vegetable oils and oilcake.

Planted area is projected at around 189.2 thousand hectares, up 8% year-on-year. If yields remain at the five-year average of 1.89 t/ha, total production could reach approximately 357.5 thousand tonnes, marking a 16% increase from the previous season.

Pistachio Price Shock Spurs South Africa Farmers to Boost Output

agroconf1 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:21:00 +0000

24.04.2026

South African farming group Karoo Pistachios is ramping up output to capitalize on surging prices and compete with the world’s biggest producers.

The nuts — used in ice cream and chocolate — climbed to the highest level in almost a decade this month as the conflict in Iran, the world’s second-largest grower, disrupts supplies in an already constrained market.

Stronger Chinese demand pushes up Ukrainian soybean prices

agroconf1 — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:03:53 +0000

09.04.2026

Over the past week, Ukraine’s soybean market recorded moderate price growth, particularly in the western border segment. The key driver was stronger demand from China, along with low container freight rates, according to White Brokers.

This made container exports more attractive, which in turn supported prices. An additional factor was the return of other Asian importers to the market.

Prices for GMO soybeans on a DAP port basis were around $465/t, while at the western border, they were $1–2/t higher.

Palm oil prices ended the Asian trading session lower on Monday

agroconf1 — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:51:57 +0000

07.04.2026

Palm oil prices closed lower in the Asian trading session but remained elevated. Nomura analysts Raghavendra Diwekar and Amol Dongre wrote in a note that palm oil prices will likely be supported this week by a weaker ringgit and declining inventories in Malaysia. The average palm oil price this week could be around 4,700 ringgit, although a de-escalation of the Middle East conflict and lower oil prices could push them below 4,600 ringgit per tonne, the analysts believe.

Global grain prices fall on expectations of de-escalation in the Middle East

agroconf1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:10:27 +0000

02.04.2026

Grain prices in Chicago fell, leveling off earlier gains, amid optimism about a possible end to the war in the Middle East. This is reported by Bloomberg.

Oil prices – one of the key drivers of the grain and oilseed market in recent times – have also fallen in recent days. Brent futures fell below $ 100 a barrel on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said that the United States could withdraw from the conflict with Iran within weeks, although hostilities continue.

Wheat fell as much as 2.4% – this is the biggest drop in more than a week. Corn and soybeans also fell.

Argentina actively exports sunflower seeds to the EU

agroconf1 — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:21:16 +0000

16.03.2026

According to Oil World, in February, Argentina increased its sunseed exports compared to January from 113 to 216 thousand tons, in particular, deliveries to Bulgaria – from 0 to 121 thousand tons, Romania – from 33 to 73 thousand tons, Portugal – from 20 to 21 thousand tons.

China plans to harvest 725 mln tons of grain in 2026

agroconf1 — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:17:44 +0000

05.03.2026

China aims to secure grain production at around 725 million tons in 2026, potentially reaching one of the highest levels in the country’s history. The target was outlined in a government report presented at the 4th session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC).

US to raise tariffs to 15% or higher on selected countries

agroconf1 — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:22:20 +0000

27.02.2026

The United States plans to increase import tariffs for certain countries to 15% or higher, according to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Speaking to FOX Business, Greer indicated that while a 10% baseline tariff is currently in place, duties for some trading partners will soon rise to 15%, with the possibility of even higher rates for others.

US soybean processing volume hits record high

agroconf1 — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:55:41 +0000

18.02.2026

According to monthly data from the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) released Tuesday, U.S. soybean crushing volume in January reached a record high for the first month of the year, and soybean oil stocks rose to their highest level since April 2023.

Commission delivers further CAP simplification up to €215 million for farmers and national administrations

agroconf1 — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:42:43 +0000

29.01.2026

This week, the Commission adopted nine further acts under the CAP’s secondary legislation to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and regulatory burden, in line with its commitment to simplification and to strengthening the competitiveness of the farming sector and the wider agri-food value chain.

Light-Based Technology Offers New Approach to Pest Control in Greenhouses

agroconf1 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:06:05 +0000

26.01.2026

Recent applied trials initiated by Tom Murray, Technical Manager: Fresh Fruit and Horticulture at Woolworths South Africa, are providing new insight into how light frequency, trap placement, and operating schedules can significantly influence insect pest capture in protected cropping systems. Conducted with research partners and growers, the work focuses on refining light-based attraction systems for key greenhouse and field pests, including thrips, Tuta absoluta, and several moth species.

Machine learning and AI the future of drought monitoring in Canada

agroconf1 — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 13:01:36 +0000

18.01.2026

We are actively looking at new models and developing our own models to utilize some of the artificial intelligence and machine learning to really help us provide an initial look at drought across the country, pulling in the right indicators for the right regions and for the right time of year,” said Trevor Hadwen, agroclimate specialist with Agriculture Canada, who helps lead the drought monitor along with David Lee.

Sunflower oil prices reach highest level since August 2022

agroconf1 — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:45:53 +0000

14.01.2026

Russia is deliberately targeting Ukraine’s vegetable oil sector, carrying out systematic strikes on processing plants, ports, and infrastructure. Against this backdrop, vegetable oil prices have surged, with sunflower oil FOB six ports reaching their highest level since August 2022.

Over the past three weeks, there have been at least nine strikes on processing facilities and port infrastructure. According to market participants, about 25% of processing capacity is currently idle due to logistical disruptions, power supply problems, and security risks.

As of January 8, sunflower oil FOB six European ports — Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, Dunkirk, and Dieppe — rose to around $1,409 per ton for February shipments, up $80 per ton from mid-December levels. This is the highest price since August 2022.

French farmers block Paris streets in protest against Mercosur trade deal

agroconf1 — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 14:40:11 +0000

08.01.2026

French farmers blockaded roads into Paris and landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe with tractors on Thursday in protest against a sweeping trade deal the European Union is due to sign with South American nations. Farmers from the right-wing Coordination Rurale union called for the protests in Paris amid fears the planned free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc will flood the EU with cheap food imports. They also protested against hig

China may temporarily lift duties on Canadian rapeseed meal and rapeseed oil

agroconf1 — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:23:24 +0000

08.01.2026

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit China around January 13, amid discussions on a possible partial easing of mutual trade restrictions. As part of these talks, Canada may suspend its tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles for one year, a move seen as an attempt to de-escalate tensions in bilateral economic relations.