AGP Executive Report

Feed Costs & Trade Policy: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture is proposing to more than double corn imports under the MAV quota to 500,000 metric tons (from 220,000) to protect hog and poultry feed supplies as El Niño threatens production and prices. Animal Health: Naujan, Oriental Mindoro temporarily banned entry of live hogs (and also restricts frozen pork/pork products) to keep African Swine Fever out, with checkpoints and tighter biosecurity urged. Market Rules & Levies: Uttarakhand’s High Court ruled that bringing produce from outside the state for processing without sale in the market area can’t trigger development cess—an important win for processors and traders. Food & Supply Chains: Arizona’s Agritopia is seeing renewed interest in “farm-to-plate” shopping, aiming to cut supply-chain links and reduce recall-related worries. Agri-Business & Investment: India’s AWL Agri Business shares jumped after Q2 revenue rose 24% YoY, with Food & FMCG hitting record quarterly growth. Sugar Sector Pressure: The Philippines is ramping pest and drought support for cane sugar as artificial sweeteners take 18.4% of the market and red-striped soft scale insects threaten yields.

Feed & Aquaculture Trade: Chinese feed giant Haid is pushing aggressive overseas expansion, adding new facilities across Egypt, Nigeria, Ecuador and Vietnam, with international aquafeed sales up about 21% by volume in H1 2026. Animal Health: Wisconsin’s hemorrhagic disease outbreak is expanding as deer deaths rise, while Scotland confirms H5N5 bird flu at a Western Isles site, triggering movement restrictions and licensing. Food Security & Infrastructure: Canada launches a $1B Food-Link Fund to build wholesale terminals and regional food hubs, aiming to move food faster and boost competition. Market Access & Policy: Kenya’s Coffee Act 2026 opens more marketing channels via the Nairobi Coffee Exchange and direct settlement, with payments targeted within five days after procurement. Rural Resilience: Researchers warn rural economies remain vulnerable when agriculture dominates local GDP, but regional partnerships can help buffer downturns. Costs Squeeze: A Kenya PMI survey says demand is improving, yet output stays under pressure as fuel, transport and ag-input costs bite. Ag Oversight: NAFDAC says it doesn’t regulate fresh produce sold in markets, pointing to the agriculture ministry for fresh produce and pesticide training. Diesel Shock: High diesel prices have bankrupted 16 trucking companies in about a month, with knock-on effects for farm transport.

Trade & Food Prices: FAO says world food prices hit the highest level since late 2022, with El Niño fears and shipping/energy disruptions pushing sugar, cereals and vegetable oils higher. Policy & Borders: Libya bans exports of agricultural products (dates excepted) and restricts re-export of imports to protect local supply. Agri-Exports Push: Malaysia targets higher high-value exports—durian MoUs at MAHA expected to add RM1B, while pineapple exports have tripled. Livestock Pressure: South Africa’s farmers face mounting strain from FMD, high input costs and tight margins, with calls for better coordinated response and development finance. Agri-Business Infrastructure: Philippines and South Korea broke ground on a $6M agribusiness incubation center in Zambales to support farmers with shared processing, mentorship and market links. Sustainable Tech: Minnesota’s solar-grazing pioneers have grazed 6,500+ acres of solar farms, showing how livestock can manage vegetation while supporting renewable projects. Research & Inputs: Saskatchewan researchers publish new camelina genome work to help breeders build more reliable varieties for producers.

AgriZero NZ Funding: New Zealand’s AgriZero NZ secured a $117m boost (total $308m) with fresh partners, aiming to speed farm emissions tools to help exporters keep premium market access. Livestock Health: Namibia confirmed more FMD cases in Karasburg (79 new cases across 11 farms), with surveillance and traceability ramped up. Farm Support & Inputs: Namibia also faces pressure as farmers hit by FMD still must pay the national minimum wage, while a separate Namibia irrigation appeal seeks government backing for aging infrastructure. Pest Control Breakthrough: Kenya’s KALRO developed “Tsetse Fly Shield,” using waterbuck-linked compounds to deter tsetse bites and cut disease risk without killing insects. Food Prices Watch: Ireland and the euro area show inflation still being driven mainly by energy, but economists warn food-price risks are rising. Trade & Logistics: Poland and Romania rejected Ukraine’s push for expanded grain transit and subsidies, raising concerns about trapped stocks and next-season planting. Sugar Quota Uncertainty: The Philippines’ sugar regulator asked for time to decide on meeting US quota as El Niño threatens output. Market Access for Farmers: Nigeria’s ports authority is targeting non-oil export bottlenecks to boost cargo flow and forex inflows. Youth & Skills in Ag: Guyana’s Agriculture Month spotlighted innovation, mechanisation, and climate-smart practices to draw young people into farming and fisheries.

Climate & Risk Support: The Philippines’ DA Bicol is preparing a ₱3.3B package for farmers and fisherfolk ahead of El Niño, including crop insurance, irrigation, seeds, farm machinery, and drought-tolerant crops, plus plans for 100+ shallow tube wells. Weather Tech: Zimbabwe deployed three aircraft for cloud seeding as it activates a six-pillar plan for a below-normal rainy season, pairing rainfall enhancement with climate-smart production and early warning. Farmgate Economics: In Bangladesh, falling vegetable prices in Dinajpur are easing costs for consumers but squeezing farmers’ ability to recover production costs. Market Access & Trade: Romania and Poland pushed back on EU efforts to help move excess Ukrainian grain, citing pressure on local farmers and port bottlenecks. Agri-Business & Policy: Nigeria’s CBN survey flags high/multiple taxation, insecurity, and high interest rates as top constraints, even as business confidence stays positive. Value Addition: Zimbabwe’s beef sector spotlighted fattening as a route to higher weights, better carcass grades, and better returns. Food System Investment: A Kigali breakfast with PepsiCo and RTI argued that grants should back models with real market demand and off-take, not just pilots. Health & Safety: A UCT-linked study found pesticide exposure in South African farm children is linked to household pesticide use and spray drift.

Climate & Risk Management: Philippines’ DA Bicol is preparing a P3.3B El Niño support package for farmers and fisherfolk, including crop insurance, irrigation, certified rice seeds, and farm machinery, plus drought-tolerant crops and water projects. Policy & Payments: Spain’s Xunta set Oct. 20 for a €47M CAP advance payment and also flagged more aid for diesel and fertilizer costs. Market & Prices: Korea’s September agri prices diverged—fruit and grains fell on bigger supplies, while vegetables rose after weak sunlight and repeated rain. Value-Added & Agribusiness: Odisha is pushing a value-driven, farmer-centric rice push via IRRI-backed varieties and processing upgrades, while Zambales (Philippines) breaks ground on a $6M agribusiness incubation center with shared offices, processing, and market links. Trade & Exports: Saudi Arabia retained top global date exports by value for a fourth straight year; Guyana’s UMAMI shipped its first commercial container to Qatar’s LuLu Hypermarket. Livestock & Disease: Namibia’s KAITE livestock section was suspended over FMD, and Namibia’s ag ministry faced questions on northern meat-processing capacity. Agri Finance: NCBA launched/expanded asset financing solutions in Kenya, citing growing demand across agriculture and agribusiness. Agri Jobs & Labor: Missouri signed an order to ease fuel and transport limits for harvest season, and California enacted a $19.75/hr minimum wage for agricultural employees starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Animal Health & Trade: The Philippines’ DA declared Quezon province avian-influenza free after depopulation, cleaning, movement controls, and negative confirmatory tests—aimed at keeping poultry production and trade safe. Global Food Prices: The UN FAO says September food prices hit a nearly four-year high as logistics disruptions and weather risks tighten supplies, pushing up sugar, cereal, and vegetable oil. Ag Policy & Producer Power: Ireland reopened applications for its ESSPO scheme, offering up to €30,000 over three years to help producer organisations cover early admin costs and strengthen farmers’ bargaining roles. Market Access & Exports: South Africa’s Rainbow Chicken urged government support to unlock export markets, warning that trade barriers and policy uncertainty threaten long-term poultry growth. Tech for Farm Operations: Australia’s BOSS Agriculture won top honours for its next-gen electric metering unit, pitching better accuracy and control for broad-acre seeding. Business & Investment: India’s Piyush Goyal told US audiences in Chicago that food processing and modernised value chains are major investment opportunities, while also pushing deeper startup and innovation links. Water & Rural Life: Australia’s Dunyak Moira fishing ponds reopened in Merrigum, turning former water lagoons into a free community recreation and conservation hub.

Crop & Trade Policy: U.S. sugar subsidies are nearing $1.4B, with U.S. producers pushing for a Section 301 probe as global policy distortions squeeze margins. Farm Safety Net: Mississippi producers begin receiving about $423M in improved ARC/PLC payments under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, boosting reference prices and insurance support. Local Food Systems: Ghana’s Sophia launches a weekly direct-from-farm produce market every Wednesday to cut middlemen and lower grocery costs. State Support for Buyers: Wisconsin DATCP is taking applications for 2027 Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants (up to $200k total; $5k–$50k awards; deadline Nov. 4). Ag Infrastructure: Tulare County’s board advances Farm-to-Market road repairs aimed at safer, more efficient transport of agricultural goods. Research & Extension: USDA’s Agricultural Research Service administrator Joon Park visits SC State to discuss partnerships on soil health and crop disease resistance. Global Cooperation: Ghana and Kyrgyzstan sign MoUs covering agriculture, sports, and diplomatic training after political consultations. Market Access & Logistics: Ukraine asks the EU for at least EUR 1.1B to offset extra logistics costs from Black Sea export disruptions. Industry Growth: Ghana’s TCDA plans to use the MATCO mango plantation as a northern prototype to scale commercial mango cultivation and train youth and women.

Value-Add Push in Zimbabwe: Agriculture Minister Dr Anxious Masuka urged farmers to stop treating farming as subsistence and move into value addition, aggregation, and stronger value-chain participation to capture more returns. Youth & Language to Attract Investment (Nigeria): Lagos State’s agriculture chief said reframing “agricultural sector” as the “raw material economy” could help young people see business opportunities beyond farming. Farm Finance Gap (Nigeria): IFC warned that under 5% of commercial bank lending in Nigeria goes to agriculture, calling for better capital flow to the sector. Port-Driven Trade Growth (Tanzania): Dar es Salaam cut vessel waiting and boosted throughput, handling 33.7m tonnes in 2025/26 and strengthening its role as an Indian Ocean gateway. Export Win for Bihar Makhana (India): APEDA facilitated a 1 MT popped makhana export from Purnea to Greece, highlighting higher price potential via international supply chains. Budget Support for Farmers (Philippines): House subcommittee approved an extra P16bn for the Department of Agriculture for 2027, including more fertilizer aid and solar pump irrigation funding. Agritech & Data Connectivity: Massey Ferguson launched a platform to connect mixed fleets and farm data, aiming to streamline field operations and task management. Policy Pressure on Food Costs (G20): India’s trade minister warned fertiliser shortages could turn into a food crisis, urging clear separation of food security from coercive trade. Market & Farm Risk (UK): Polling found some farmers are shrinking or pausing investment to reduce inheritance tax impacts, raising concerns for long-term food security.

Budget Boost (Philippines): The House BARSc approved an extra P16B for the Department of Agriculture in the 2027 budget, including more fertilizer aid and funding for solar pump irrigation and hybrid solar ice plants to support farmers and coastal fishers. Agri Incubation (Philippines): DA and KOICA broke ground on an Agribusiness Incubation Center in Zambales to help marginal farmers process goods, get training, mentoring, market links, and financing. Diesel Pressure (U.S.): Diesel talks and threats of a U.S. export ban are roiling markets, while Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner asks Gov. Beshear to allow dyed, untaxed diesel on public roads during harvest to protect farm margins. Livestock & Trade (Philippines): The DA is pushing higher pork import tariffs to pre–African swine fever levels as local hog supply rises but farmgate prices keep sliding. Education & Exports (U.S.): Wisconsin expands ag learning with calf-care simulator grants and opens Export Expansion Grants (applications due Nov. 4). Soil & Water (U.S.): MSU SHARE research is mapping how regenerative practices change soil water movement to build better decision tools for farmers. Market Signals (U.S.): CME dairy prices were mixed—cheese blocks up, butter down. Beef Supply Disruption (U.S.): Kansas towns and meatpacking-linked farms faced disruption after ICE enforcement actions, raising concerns about labor stability and family impacts.

Smallholder Finance Push: Malaysia’s NASH is urging higher oil palm replanting support (RM18,200/ha) and easier payments, plus a long-term smallholders development fund to boost productivity and access to financing. G20 Trade Rules: India warned G20 ministers against “weaponisation of food,” arguing legitimate food-security measures shouldn’t be treated like coercive trade actions, as talks also target forced labour and industrial overcapacity. Food & Farm Supply Oversight: Maharashtra’s Nashik is asking onion suppliers to submit complaints and documents over 2026–27 procurement irregularities under India’s PSF scheme. Agritech & Startups: Ghana’s AgriTech challenge backed digital farmer-to-buyer marketplaces to cut post-harvest losses, while T-Hub launched Flashpoint to co-build startups with founders using industry-backed problems. Drought Relief: South Africa’s Loeriesfontein small-scale livestock farmers received maize, pellets and protein supplements to survive drought-driven feed shortages. Agricultural Innovation Awards: Australia’s Nutrien NextGen Leader winner Carli Davis is spotlighting new approaches to rethink carbon farming markets. Trade & Cooperation: Kazakhstan and Germany agreed to expand agricultural cooperation, including dairy support and market access efforts.

Trade Policy: The U.S. is pushing G20 partners to act on excess industrial capacity, spotlighting steel overproduction and coordinating measures as talks unfold in Milwaukee. Market & Food Safety: The U.S. recalled 2,000+ pounds of frozen pork breakfast sausage after reports of possible plastic contamination, warning some product may still be in restaurant freezers. Livestock & Local Governance: A Wisconsin landowner appealed Lafayette County’s approval for a new livestock facility, citing setback, odor-score, and manure-volume calculation concerns; a state review board will consider public “statements of position.” Agribusiness Finance: Nagaland’s Axis Bank opened a Jalukie branch, with officials urging more formal credit for farmers to buy seeds, equipment, and livestock. Farm Economics & Access: Guyana plans nationwide farmers’ markets to cut food prices by reducing middlemen markups. Policy for Storage: India is developing a grading and rating framework for warehouses and cold chains with ADB support to unlock incentives and credit. Global Supply Signals: Global cherry production is forecast to hit a record 5.44M tons, while the U.S. crop faces frost and rain losses. Sustainability Standards: Perdue Farms is backing a new environmental board of trade to standardize regenerative agriculture claims and related credits.

Agri-market promos: Malaysia’s Pahang FAMA is running a three-day Mega Agro MADANI Sales in Rompin (Oct 2–4) with up to 30% discounts and direct-to-consumer lots, including set-price deals on chicken, beef, eggs, fruits and vegetables. Sustainable farming, real-world pricing gap: Bangladesh farmers using pesticide-free GAP bitter gourd report good yields and quality, but say they’re not getting a premium because there’s no separate market for pesticide-free produce. Climate-smart tech push: Kenya’s Nairobi International Trade Fair is spotlighting climate-smart agriculture and trade, with organisers targeting 600,000 visitors and showcasing tools like drones for farm spraying. Food security and livelihoods: Nigeria inaugurated a coalition of farmers associations for food security (COA-FARMERS) as agriculture grew 4.39% in Q2 2026, while Zambia’s Muchinga Province praised WFP support for smallholder resilience. Trade signals for agri: China and the US agreed tariff cuts on $60B of goods, with China planning lower duties on some US farm products (soybeans excluded). Animal/agri investment: Solomon Islands’ SIART invested $8.7M into 20 community pig farming groups, aiming to boost household incomes. Policy & enforcement: Hong Kong’s AFCD starts a month-long crackdown on illegal feeding of wild animals, citing safety and ecological harm.

Livestock Health: Wisconsin confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in non-lactating dairy cattle in Waukesha County, with the virus also found in wild and captive deer; officials say there’s no treatment and urge insect/parasite control and fast vet testing. Food & Input Costs: Kyrgyzstan’s agriculture ministry says meat prices reaching 800–1,000 soms/kg are unjustified, pointing to lower pasture and stall cost estimates and expanding state meat sales points. Competition & Farm Costs: U.S. AG Raoul and the FTC secured a $35M settlement with Corteva to lower pesticide prices by dismantling a loyalty program that limited generic competition. Trade & Exports: Trump nominated Greg Ibach to lead USDA trade and foreign agricultural affairs, aiming to expand export markets and cut barriers. Biofuels: India’s Bharat Ethanol Forum 2026 wrapped in Mumbai, pushing ethanol as energy security and a lever for farmer incomes. Ag Tech for Traceability: Wingsure launched COFFEA™, a platform to capture and verify farm-level coffee evidence for decision-grade intelligence. Climate Finance: Indonesia offered carbon market incentives for low-emission rice and other green projects, backed by new carbon unit registry rules.

Trade Policy & Farm Impact: South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung vowed to protect farmers, fishers and livestock as CPTPP concerns grow, citing an estimate that accession could cut farm/forestry/fisheries output by about 850 billion won over 15 years and promising direct meetings plus a 1 trillion won compensation fund. Food Security Funding: FAO urged more funding for Sudan as El Niño threatens food security, focusing on staple crops, livestock health and animal feed after warning current needs far outstrip available budgets. Agri-Exports & Market Access: China approved fresh South African cherries after phytosanitary clearance, with exports projected to surge as orchards expand; meanwhile, US-China tariff cuts on about $30B of goods include many agricultural items, but soybeans were excluded, capping gains for US soy futures. Input Costs & Energy: Saskatchewan farmers face pressure from rising diesel costs and floods amid trade uncertainty, while markets also watched volatility tied to global oil supply risks. Innovation & Sustainability: South Korea researchers used hemp hurd to strengthen biodegradable plastics, and Brazil’s “AgTech Valley” is pushing bio-inputs to cut chemical fertilizer dependence. Finance & Risk: India’s SEBI ordered refunds and penalties in the Growpital farmland scheme, and the IRS/Treasury proposed rules letting qualifying farmland sellers pay tax in four installments. Regional Ag Development: Nepal reported foreign aid commitments fell to Rs 161.46B in 2025/26, with roads and water among top shares.

Digital Market Access: Malaysia’s Shopee Instant Mart and FAMA are teaming up to speed fresh-produce and agro-goods delivery (1–4 hours) and boost online visibility for local producers via the DuniaAgro+ campaign. Trade & Tariffs: After Xi’s U.S. visit, the China-U.S. Board of Trade recommends tariff cuts on $60B of non-sensitive goods (about $30B each side), with an ag working group aimed at market access—while soybeans were notably left off the list. Fuel Cost Relief: Ireland’s Macra is pushing for a doubled fuel support payment to 40c/l and wider eligibility for young farmers and contractors as diesel bites. EU Beef Shock: The European Commission confirms a 24-month-plus ban on Brazilian beef over hormone assurances, keeping product off EU shelves. Poultry Tech Investment: Cargill is investing $130M to expand cooked poultry capacity in Thailand and the Philippines, adding automation and AI to production and food safety. Policy Momentum (US): The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced Farm Bill 2.0 toward the next legislative stage. Market Watch: Grains slid as traders reacted to trade headlines; corn, soybeans, and wheat all posted losses, with soybeans hitting a three-month low. Food Prices Reality Check: A U.S. Farm Bureau review finds more beef imports haven’t yet lowered ground beef prices at most surveyed stores. Biosecurity: Cambodia reports a sixth 2026 human H5N1 case tied to poultry exposure, prompting animal and contact tracing.