If reelected, former U.S. President Donald Trump intends to impose 10% worldwide import tariffs in a hard-hitting “Trump 2.0.”-styled term. But first he promises to continue where he stopped in 2020 by slamming 60% or more tariffs on imports from China. These levies will land on the usual suspects like soybeans, pork, vegetable oils, among other agricultural imports. Below is a look at...

Commercial cultivation of “golden rice” in the Philippines has ended after a court revoked a 2021 government permit over biodiversity concerns.  The visually colorful bio-engineered strain is rich in proVitamin A building compounds unlike organic white palay rice. The court of Appeal had first ended the commercial permit on April 17 in favor of small-scale rice growers and environmentalists. In 2021, the Philippines became...

The May peak of eastern Thailand’s durian harvest has created a glut in mainland Asia and occasioned a 40% slump in prices. Leading in affordability is China’s import market which receives its supplies during three south-east Asia countries’ concurrent durian seasons. For instance, Monthong durian cost 40-48 Yuan ($5.52-6.62) in late May, below the 64 Yuan ($8.83) per kg of April 2024. A...

Retailer Costo’s “naked lobster” has belatedly attracted attention for its curious look as the North American summer shellfish season dawns. At the same time, Canada’s lobster scene is swarming with unsold lobster, attracting a price fall. Regarding Costo’s shelled lobster, it comes in a butter-padded shelled pack with two whole 6.5 oz lobsters at U$39.99.  The retailer’s ad for the seafood pack...

Maryland’s and Virginia’s blue crab numbers on Chesapeake Bay in winter 2024 were at stable albeit lower levels than 2023’s. There were an estimated winter 2024 population of 317 million blue crabs, according to a May 22, 2024 survey report. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) alongside Virginia Institute of Marine Science have been conducting the Winter Dredge Survey since 1990....

The world’s food commodity futures revealed strengths and weaknesses in London, New York and Chicago exchanges in end May, 2024.      Grain, live cattle, coffee and cocoa all performed differently in these futures markets, which usually impact retail food prices. Grain Markets Rise and Fall Setting the trend was corn which sold at  461.00 US¢ per bushel on May 2023 in...

The Senegal mango campaign in 2024 has begun end May amid a decrease in production due to fireflies on orchards.  In its May 3, 2024 phytosanitary meeting, the Plant Directorate of Senegal (DPV) recounted a drop of 1.9% or 314 tonnes in  the 2023 season. The decrease could continue in the 2024 season although high-profile orchard inspections and plant treatment regimes are...

India will see above-norm monsoon rains throughout the 2024 phase, in the event of which farm production will improve. According to a May 26, 2024 announcement by Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director-general at India Meteorological Department (IMD), the country will experience up to 106% saturation of the yearly average. This means that 2024 will have 2% more monsoon rain than the 96-104% range in the...

Dairy farmers on May 27, 2024 wheeled plaster cows across the European Union (EU)’s capital Brussels, demanding fair milk rates.  Some 100 protesters paraded before key EU offices demanding a legislation eradicating all milk product prices below production expenditure. The farmers were also drumming up support for an EU version of Spain’s recent “unfair commercial practices”act. Kjartan Poulsen who heads the...

The oil palm industry in Indonesia is turning to organic fertilizer to end the menace of Phythoptora disease, particularly on aging trees. According to agricultural practitioner from West java’s Depak City, Irwan Margono, on May 26, 2024, herbicide residue causes leaf withering. He added that the most vulnerable plantations are those with more than 15 years in existence as older trees tend...