Since December 2020, India’s heavy equipment makers have been releasing new electric tractors whose fuel economy is changing the agricultural landscape. With auto manufacturers leading the way, the union government is also beginning to invest in off-road electrification through a national plan. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in mid-2024 egged manufacturers to transition to the electric versions, promising governmental backing. By July 2024,  the blueprint...

Aussie lobster fisheries intend to keep prices low during the peak December shopping season after trade deal with China. Kyriakos Toumazos of the Lobster Fishermen’s Association of the South Australian Northern Zone suggests a A$75-100 ($50.27-67.05) per kg range to 9News.com.  This amid industry expectations that the resumption of trade with China after a 4-year ban could raise local prices.  Toumazos however feels that fishermen...

The government of Cyprus on October 10, 2024 promulgated a broad 5-year economical and sustainability strategy for agriculture. A part of the 2024-28 plan will be the financing 11 niches with a budget of €109.3 million ($119.48 million). According to Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou courtesy the Cyprus Mail, technology access, economic growth and sustainability are the key goals. The minister cited that the...

A fortnight after storm Helene spared groves of citrus in Florida and buoyed fall harvest expectations, Hurricane Milton has swept away the hopes. Just before Milton, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had forecast positive oranges production at 15 million boxes, albeit 16% below 2023’s. Although Milton simmered down to Level 3 from previous level 5 classification, it still left substantial...

Thanks to expectations of dryness, wheat prices rallied by 1.2% early morning October 10, 2024 at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). At half past midnight October 10, the key contract in Chicago brought in $6.06 a bushel, the highest since October 3’s $6.03. The posting was however lower than October 2’s high of $615.25 a bushel. The gain marks the fourth price...

With a multi-billion baht turnover between January and August 2024, the Thai mangosteen has cemented its number 1 world status in export revenue. The eight-month export value hit 15.4 billion baht ($457.9 million), with the promise to crack the annual average of 17 billion baht ($505.6 million) by year-end. According to Thailand’s Commerce Ministry, the sale volume reached nearly 247,275 tonnes, just shy of the entire...

Guam’s sea shell culture is on the line following a U.S. agency’s proposal to include giant clam in the “Endangered Species Act.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been contemplating the move since 2016. Such a legislation could affect the heritage of the south Pacific Mariana islands that pride in strong seashell traditions.  Aptly enough, some call the islands...

The universal Pink Lady brand is quickly turning uniquely South African with yearly sales to the UK up 13%, Tru-Cape Marketing reports. As the largest Southern Hemisphere supplier of the premium apple, South Africa also affords late season availability through cool-region irrigation. This comes in the wake of the phenomenal success of the equally universally appealing Flash Gala brand.  Calla du Toit,...

EQUII, a company that changed the flour industry in 2023 with the world’s first complete flour and Bread products, has partnered with the honorary French baked goods maker, Bridor. The deal will see Bridor feature EQUII’s amino acid-rich flour in a wide array of baked goods from dinner rolls to artisan loaves. This agreement follows the August 7, 2024 announcement of the launch...

Originally published September 27, 2024. Soy, corn and wheat have eased their resilient upward price run since July 25, 2024 on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) futures. Soybean pricing slipped from September 25 due to both the ongoing American harvest and favorable weather in South America.   Corn’s fall owes to supply increment courtesy the ongoing Midwest harvest and ample stocks,...