ARTICLE 5

Vietnam has officially launched the SAFE (Sustainable Agriculture for Forest Ecosystems) Project, marking a transformative step in the country’s coffee sector. This initiative, unveiled during a recent kick-off workshop, aims to align stakeholders across the coffee value chain toward a unified vision of sustainability, legality, and deforestation-free practices.

China has halted new purchases of U.S. soybeans and corn ahead of escalating trade tensions, marking a significant shift in agricultural trade dynamics. This move is part of China's broader retaliation against recent U.S. tariffs, which include a 10% duty on all Chinese imports. In response, China imposed additional tariffs on various U.S. agricultural products, including a 15% levy on corn, wheat, cotton, and chicken, and an extra 10% on soybeans, pork, beef, and dairy.

Cocoa prices have surged recently, driven by strong demand and ongoing supply concerns, while sugar and coffee markets have experienced declines due to improved weather conditions and shifting supply dynamics.

As geopolitical friction intensifies between the United States and China, Brazil is seizing the moment to position itself as a leading force in global food security. The country’s Agriculture Minister, Carlos Fávaro, highlighted Brazil’s strategic opportunity during a press conference held after the BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ meeting on Thursday in Brasília.

Pakistan's corn sector is undergoing a strategic transformation. With production rebounding and domestic demand on the rise—especially from poultry and feed manufacturers—the crop is set to play a pivotal role in the country’s agricultural economy. The shift from export focus to domestic value chain development marks a turning point that could enhance food security, farmer income, and rural employment in the coming years.

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has issued a stark warning about the mounting risks to the Thai economy from escalating global trade tensions, particularly due to newly imposed tariffs by the United States and retaliatory moves by major economies. As a result, the central bank has lowered its 2025 GDP growth forecast to below 2.5%, citing heightened uncertainty and a more challenging external environment.

Vietnam has emerged as the world's largest exporter of cashew nuts, supplying approximately 450,000 tons annually to major global markets including the United States, Europe, and India. The country's dominance in the global cashew trade is a result of its organized agricultural practices, advanced processing technology, and strong international trade networks.

Brazil is rapidly transforming its corn industry, driven by an unprecedented surge in corn-based ethanol production. According to Farmdoc Daily, this expansion is significantly increasing domestic corn consumption and is poised to reshape global corn trade flows in the years ahead.

The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has unveiled promising results from the use of its Rice Transplanter cum Fertilizer Applicator, a mechanized planting solution that can increase rice yields by 10–15% and reduce production costs by 20–25%. The innovation was presented at a national technical workshop held at the BRRI headquarters in Gazipur.

The South African government is urgently reassessing its agricultural export strategy after the United States imposed new tariffs ranging from 10% to 31% on South African products. Previously duty-free exports like citrus, wine, grapes, and nuts are now directly affected, shaking a sector that exported a record $13.7 billion in 2024, according to Trade Map.

NAPERVILLE, Illinois, April 13 – After weathering the worst downturn in over a year, bullish investors in the corn market are finally seeing a payoff. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) corn futures surged 6.5% last week, marking the strongest five-day rally since late 2023.

Uzbekistan is facing an alarming surge in onion prices, with market rates rising as much as tenfold compared to the same period in 2024. The dramatic price increase is being largely attributed to a significant reduction in cultivated land allocated for onions, combined with supply chain disruptions and unfavorable weather conditions.