The nonprofit Heifer International on July 23, 2025 aired the voices of smallholders farmers towards a global food systems transformation. During which, farmer interviewees suggested solutions ahead of the UN Food Systems +4 Stocktaking Moment on July 27-29 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During the actual summit, the UN Deputy-Secretary General Ms Amina J. Mohammed labeled...
Ethanol is regaining clout in Brazil with sugar millers favoring it to counter stagnant international sugar rates, currently at US¢16-17 a pound. Helping along is the switch by the government of Brazil to the E30 ethanol blending standard, beginning August 1, 2025. This means engine fuel makers will have to use 30% ethanol for every 70%...
Two opposite sides of the United States are recording impressive respective 2025 harvest seasons of conventional and wild blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum). The wild blueberries crop in the Northeast is ripening while the cultivated one in the Pacific Northwest is courting early marketing stages. On the East Coast, Maine will kickstart its reaping proper with the...
China on July 27, 2025 unveiled a consumer-oriented consumption vision for Ag products, including quality fresh greens from sustainable sources. Regarding the plan, the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs intends to bridge consumer needs across many levels, Reuters reported. The ministry will achieve this goal through produce quality improvements, food safety emphasis and eco-friendliness. More poignantly,...
A United States-European Union (EU) trade concession on July 27, 2025 lowered bilateral tariffs including agricultural, echoing a similar U.S.-Japan deal. Negotiations took place at the unlikely location of Turnberry golf pitch in post-Brexit Scotland. While vacationing in this personally-owned pitch, President Donald Trump welcomed the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. After...
Mango farmers in Andhra Pradesh (AP) in southeast India are coping with uncompetitive prices due to a post-monsoon surplus and low procurement. According to the Hindustani Times on July 23, 2025, the Amaravati farmers’ consortium was blaming pulp industries for limiting purchases. The bestselling mango varietal Totapuri is currently in ample supply but is garnering only minimal industrial procurement. Regarding which,...
Come the year 2034, production of food and fish worldwide will have increased by 14%, with 22% of calories regularly crossing borders. This is according to the 21st Outlook edition by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The OECD-FAO report pins down output improvement to arable land expansion...
After redlining beef imports from the United States due to poor traceability to Mexico, Australia has finally eased controls, citing improvements. The Minister of Agriculture Julie Collins on July 23, 2025 stated that a “rigorous science” probe proved the U.S.’ biosecurity commitment, per Reuters. Acceptance comes at a time when Aussie delegations are agitating the removal...
Japan intends to raise rice imports from the United States within the existing tariff-free quota. This follows a July 22, 2025 deal that cut bilateral “reciprocal” tariffs from 25% to 15%. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan and President Donald Trump of the United States both praised the tariff settlements. Although the negotiations yielded no known...
The cultivation of exotic fruits, like passion (Passiflora edulis), kiwano, papaya, and dragon fruit in Albania is changing Europe’s export horticulture. For instance, elderly farmer Irakli Shkoza has already transformed 4.9 acres into a fruit paradise, according to France 24 on July 23, 2025. Six years after purchasing seeds from Africa and the Americas in 2019, Shkoza...