PM Sir Keir Starmer’s administration is aiming the UK’s Autumn Budget at a new sugar tax on commercial milk-based treats. According to the Independent, this will render milk products no longer exempt from the 2018 soft drinks industry levy (SDIL). Health secretary Wes Streeting has already confirmed a January 1, 2028 implementation date for the levy on milkshakes, lattes and sugared yogurt....
The Fiji pineapple export sector reconquers NZ with Ripley Queen
Eager to recover 1980s’ glory, pineapple exporters in Fiji are staging a comeback to the New Zealand market via a gaining cultivar. On November 19, 2025, the country shipped a 3-tonne trial cargo of popular Ripley Queen pineapple to Auckland. Coordinating the breakthrough was the Minister of Agriculture and Waterways Tomasi Tunabuna who praised the variety a hit with Kiwi...
Tyson’s Beef plant closure dawns federal beef supply uncertainty
One of the biggest federal slaughterhouses, Tyson’s Beef has announced an upcoming closure of a Nebraska supply plant and potentially another in Texas. The move could slash U.S.’ beef output by at least 7-9% – and it is already creating market uncertainty. The announcement on November 21, 2025 continues to draw shock reactions from the sector. Tyson’s plans a January...
Industry Barometer of Morocco presents resilient agri-food sector in 2024
The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Morocco presented the 2024 Industry Barometer October 30, 2025, revealing 0.8% agri-food sector’s annual growth. That the sector appreciated that much was significant because 2024 was economically challenging to the food industry in the Maghreb. The relatively new Barometer that began in 2022 is a key source of industrial performance data from official...
Mangos Peru union affirms prices as dependent on international markets
The Associación de Productores y Exportadores de Mangos (APEM) of Peru has cited international market trends as the main determinant of export rates. The APEM chose clarification to root out speculation that producers and exporters have reached a price agreement. According to an Agraria news report on November 21, 2025, the APEM stated that exporters cannot “set prices unilaterally.” One...
Price strength, market access raise the 2025 Zimbabwe berry export value
Zimbabwe’s January-September 2025 berry export returns grew by 34% annually from robust prices and increasing market access, per the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency. The export value rose to US$10.4 million from the US$7.79 million of the corresponding first nine months of 2024. Bringing a manifold improvement to the returns were uptick export rates, which appreciated by 13% year-on-year (y-o-y). The average export prices for...
Lobster industry of Maine to retain tracking devices, court finds
A court has ruled that the lobster industry of Maine must keep using electronic trackers aboard fishing vessels despite staging lengthy resistance. The First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston, Ma., ruled in favor of the tracking regulation on November 19, 2025. Since December 15, 2023, Mainers have been using electronic trackers on their boats round the clock to reduce...
Borderline imports, low inflation cool rice prices in Nigeria
A renewal in rice imports from neighbors amid slowing food inflation has reestablished low prices for the staple in Nigeria. After years of cross-border import ban, the government recently allowed back purchases of the grain from regional origins. One of these sources is Benin, whose surplus supplies are currently smuggling into Nigeria, further cheapening the cereal. According to Palash Jain, the chief executive at...
Mandarins from South Africa excel despite missing U.S.’ tariff exemption
Mandarins fanned 2025’s annual citrus export growth for South Africa despite not benefiting from the U.S.’ tariff exemption that favored oranges. Annual export data ending October 2025 shows that the fruit recorded one of the fastest growth rates among national citrus export categories. On November 10, 2025, the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) reported that mandarin exports totaled 53.5 million 15 kg cartons, 28% above...
The NC blue crab fishery opposes harvest reduction before key meeting
Fishers and coastal politicians in North Carolina (NC) have rallied against a proposal to limit blue crab harvest under Amendment 3. This is happening just before the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) meets to discuss the issue on November 19-20, 2025. A group consisting of county commissioners from at least 15 coastal counties has been opposing the proposal beginning August 5....