Agricultural cargo

Falling Japan’s Yen to make American agricultural exports expensive 

Exports of U.S.’ beef, pork and green vegetables to the Far-east may become expensive amid the weakening of Japan’s yen. The currency of the world’s number 3 economy lapsed to 151.30 against the dollar on March 28, the lowest since 2022.  Central Bank of Japan puts the blame on its own reduction of interest rates to bolster the economy. The bank has been keen to...

Lobster

Off-season lobster Easter brunches happening in Louisiana & NSW

Two seafood territories on different sides of the world are in for off-season lobster Easter brunches amid rising prices.  New South Wales in Australia may not see its lobster season until July, same with Louisiana in the U.S, but they are both well-supplied. Louisiana’s Lobster Price to Rise by $1   Just a month before the lobster season ends on April 30,...

Borderline agriculture braving alternatives after Maryland bridge collapse

Borderline agriculture braving alternatives after Maryland bridge collapse

12 days after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, borderline agriculture logistics have been running on alternatives. The March 16 accident occurred when a container ship from Singapore lost power and bumped onto the bridge’s pillars. Since then, shipping lines have been diverting to other east coast ports. Backlogging and stranded cargo have been piling...

Cocoa powder

Global cocoa prices cross $10,000/tonne mark as supply ebbs

Global cocoa prices have crossed the $10,000-per-tonne mark, a 138% rise year-on-year adrift a supply gap.  Cocoa showings on March 26 on the Intercontinental Exchange read $10,080 per tonne, a trading history first. This confirms predictions by cocoa processor Guang Chong of a price crossover from the March 25 value of $9,000 a tonne.  Likewise, cocoa futures had risen by 11.5% in the previous business week ending...

Avocado farmers in Kenya await reprieve from double levy

Avocado farmers in Kenya await reprieve from double levy

The national government has promised avocado farmers in Kenya that it will review a controversial e-tax clause to exempt them from double taxation. Briefing the press in Nairobi on March 26, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he has formed a committee to review avocado taxes. At the heart of the matter is Section 23A of the Finance Act 2023, which authorizes mandatory electronic...

Zimbabwe’s sugar production beats El Niño odds into adequacy

Zimbabwe’s sugar production beats El Niño odds into adequacy

Fabled for its resilience, Zimbabwe’s sugar production has broken the stranglehold of El Niño drought with adequate supply. The Zimbabwe Sugar Association (ZAS) announced sufficient stocks from the December 2023 harvest for home and industrial use to last two seasons. ZAS pointed out that sugarcane production is a year-round affair in Zimbabwe, which means perpetual supplies unlike seasonal crops. Luckily, 2023 ended...

Kiwifruit

New Zealand’s kiwifruit exports to rebound with 190 million trays 

After plummeting from 171 million trays in 2022 to 136 million trays in 2023, New Zealand’s kiwifruit exports point towards a great 2024 rebound. According to aggregate exporter, Zespri, the 2024 crop will reach 190 million trays and will raise per-hectare returns. This is happening when the northern hemisphere, where Zespri operates off-season orchards, is experiencing very tight supplies.  Greece ended its kiwi season...

New Zealand Páua

New Zealand increases catch limits for spiny rock lobster, blue tuna & páua

New Zealand on March 22 increased catch limits for spiny rock lobster, blue tuna and páua as respective ocean stocks increase.  In its latest biannual review, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries consulted scientific observation and public insight to raise harvest limits. Announcing this development, Oceans and Fisheries Minister, Shane Jones, stated that the review has shown abundant stocks that promise sustainability. The...

Drone technology in agriculture

U.S. farms readying for aerial farming with “drone swarms” 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has allowed a company to pair drones over farms, the first step towards economical aerial agriculture. This decision makes practical the use of  “drone swarms”  or multiple flying machines to work together on one farm. Hitherto, it is has been only possible to fly one machine over a field, with a grounded pilot and a spotter.  Now,...

Free cold storage reduces post-harvest losses for Zanzibar’s farmers

Free cold storage reduces post-harvest losses for Zanzibar’s farmers

A free training and cold storage project involving 50 farmers and 20 traders has reduced post-harvest losses in some parts of Zanzibar. The project is a partnership between Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and State University of Zanzibar (SAZU). Speaking on March 21 at SUA grounds, the Dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences at SAZU, Dr. Abdallah Rashid Mkumbukwa, praised...