Reports show that the IT outage of July 19, 2024 on select computer systems grounded key global supply systems. From blue screens in teller machines to cargo delay and TV anchors reading news from printouts, the Friday outage brought mayhem. The problem emanated from a CloudStrike update that stalled 8.5 million computers or 1% of worldwide devices running Windows. CloudStrike, a cybersecurity firm,...
Maryland to chase invasive blue catfish onto dining tables
The State of Maryland is encouraging people to consume invasive blue catfish and other species preying on a shrinking striped bass population. “If you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em,” Branson Williams, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’ invasive fishes program manager said. Williams’ task is to eradicate blue catfish, flathead catfish and the Northern snakehead, three species multiplying in interior waters....
Namibia’s fruit self-sufficiency on the cards courtesy EU partnership
The Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) is championing an international fruit partnership with the European Union (EU), to make Namibia’s fruit sector self-reliant. Aiming to cut fruit imports from 96% to 50%, the EU-Namibia Economic Partnership Agreement (EU-EPA) is currently funding and training growers. According to NAB’s spokesperson Emily Abraham in a July 18 report on The Namibian, the initiative has already utilized N$100,000...
Ukraine, Belarus report early winter grain and oilseed harvests
The mid-July winter grain and oilseed harvest is progressing in eastern Europe, with both Ukraine and Belarus posting early results. By July 17, 2024, Belarus’ output of winter grain and rapeseed stood at 1.9 million metric tonnes, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Cereals and legumes lead the output so far at 1.322 million tonnes, while rapeseed follows at 619,000 tonnes. These are...
Australia’s live sheep exports ban earns defence at food forum
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt on July 17, 2024 took an early opportunity to defend Australia’s live sheep exports by the sea ban at the Global Food Forum in Brisbane. Brisbane in northeast Australia is hosting over 400 world agricultural leaders to discuss innovations and technology in farming. The differently-themed forum nevertheless presents Australia with an opportunity to defend the ban two weeks...
Black thorn durian gets cheaper in Vietnam
The premium-priced ‘Black thorn” durian variety from Vietnam is now selling 40% cheaper than it did in mid-2023. This is despite a decrease in Thai durian imports in recent weeks which should have pushed up the prices. According to Thuc, a grower from Ben Tre province on the Mekong Delta, prices have plummeted from 2 million dong ($78.82) in 2023 to 1.2...
The Ethiopia coffee sector triumphs with 20% rise in exports
The 2023-24 fiscal year has turned into a record breaker for the Ethiopia coffee industry after an export turnover of $1.43 billion. This breakthrough follows a 20% yearly export volume increase. As a single month, June 2024 stood out with 46,000 tonnes in shipments, 108% more than in June 2023. In terms of revenue growth, the total revenue for the annual period...
Prickly pear harvest underway in lower Egypt
As the prickly pear (Opuntia woodsii) season continues, farmers in Qalyubia Governorate, north of Cairo have been busy since July 15, 2024. In the lead with the harvest is the village of Mit Kanana (also Mit Kinahh) in Qalyubia, a famous source of cactus fruit. Here, harvesters have been carrying crates full of the orange-yellow ripe fruits while tractors steer along, Ahram news reported. In fitting fashion,...
China’s wholesale prices increase daily but still in deflation territory
China’s wholesale prices index was up 0.2 points on July 12, 2024 above that of a day earlier. This is even as food prices increased by 0.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) in June against expectations of 0.4% to fight looming deflation. The data came up on the government’s publication of the “200 Wholesale Price Index of Agricultural Products.” According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural...
Italy could double fennel production amid shrinking acreage
As yields rise year-on-year, Italy could double fennel production and balance decreasing acreage of the aromatic vegetable. According to Colture Protette magazine on June 12, 2024, Italy’s fennel production increased by 19% between 2000 and 2023. This is despite an acreage decrement of 14% over the same period. The magazine quotes a study by Ismea, which shows the sector’s production is up even as...