American corn prices dipped before rallying on May 13, 2025, espousing mixed effects of a crop progress report indicating rapid plantings. Early on the 13th, July deliveries shed between 4 and 6 cents at several commodity markets, to $4.14 3/4 a bushel. Late night markets on the 13th however rebounded by 0.52%, to settle at $4.37 a bushel. This price captures the weekly upper range,...
Live animal imports from Mexico into U.S. halt again from screwworm
The U.S. has again halted live animal imports across the southern border after inspectors detected New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico. These restrictions follow sightings of screwworm larvae on a farm deep in Mexico, 700 miles off the United States’ border. Pouncing upon the detection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) immediately stopped border-crossings of bison, cattle and ponies. The USDA however...
Sugar levy in Newfoundland and Labrador nears its twilight
An announcement by the new premier of Newfoundland and Labrador on May 12, 2025 could end a contentious sugar levy. PM John Hagen said he’d push to nix the Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax, to alleviate the cost of living. The provincial tax has been operational beginning September 2022, generating at least C$11 million ($7.87 million) annually. According to the governmental...
The Maine lobster industry finally retains standard gauge size
It is all smiles for the lobster industry of Maine after the repeal of a controversial standard gauge resize. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) via its American Lobster Management Board on May 5 passed Addendum XXXII. As a section of Amendment 3, it replaces the erstwhile Addendum XXVII, across 11 lobster states. Addendum XXVII of October 2023 sought to...
Agricultural machinery sales rebound before South Africa’s mega show
South Africa is observing uptick sales of agricultural equipment and machinery, precipitating an overdue mega equipment show on May 13, 2025. Thanks to late coming La Niña rains, the domestic Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) rose 11 points in Q1, 2025, quarter-to-quarter. According to the industry’s confidence index tracker by Agbiz/IDC, the growth was the highest since end 2021. The crop outlook has...
Italy scores 5% floriculture export growth before tariffs
Italy managed 5% floriculture shipment increments between January and September 2024, ahead of Trump’s 10% universal tariffs. While tariffs could impact the country’s fifth biggest flower market, the United States, in Europe trade remains shipshape. Regional sales aided Italy’s flower sector maintain the second export value position in Europe, after the Netherlands. According to an Il Messaggero report, France led Italy’s January-September...
U.S.-UK trade deal creates $5 billion market for American farmers
An era-defining U.S.-UK trade deal on May 8, 2025 could bring American farmers $5 billion. Echoing a landmark UK-India pact, the agreement happened on Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which commemorates the Allied WWII victory. In a White House statement, the U.S. President Donald Trump said that “the deal includes billions of dollars…especially in agriculture.” While the concession concentrates on steel,...
Watermelon production in eastern Taiwan to take a 10% icy dip
A watermelon production hub in eastern Taiwan expects a 10% annual drop in the mid-May 2025 harvest due to foregoing spring cold. According to Taiwan News, the 1,600 hectares (ha) under watermelon in Hualien County could reap some 20,000 tonnes this initial harvest. In the lead is the Fenglin township, which tops the county’s watermelon acreage at 600 ha. The township however...
“Time for Polish Apples” ends spring with “a series of sampling activities both at home and abroad”
The Association of Fruit Growers in Poland is ramping up apple sampling events around Europe via its “Time for Polish Apples” moniker. Having so far toured Poland, Germany and Portugal, the spring campaign’s final stops this May incorporate Denmark. The series finds Poland heading the Council of the European Union (EU) and in the first rank of continental fresh apple output. Selina Wamucii learns...
Agricultural production growth in PH hits 1.9% in Q1 2025
Annual production growth in seafood, poultry and crops has propelled the Philippine’s agricultural sector by 1.9% in Q1, 2025. The Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) on May 7, 2025 reported that agriculture and aquaculture generated 437.74 billion peso ($7.89 billion) this first quarter. This is vis-á-vis the 429.62 billion peso ($7.75 billion) of Q1, 2024. Crops Although their output rose modestly by 1%,...