AGP Executive Report

US Beef Policy: USDA unveiled the “Ranchers First Initiative” to rebuild the Great American Beef Herd, adding new breeding-cattle insurance via BRAND/LRP, disaster recovery tools, and loan support for regional meat processors. Trade & Prices: Bloomberg reports agriculture commodities jumped over 13% in August as Iran conflict and extreme weather disrupt supplies, with wheat, sugar and cocoa leading gains. Beef Imports Pressure: Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall said he’s “frustrated” by Trump beef imports, warning ranchers may hold cattle instead of selling. Dairy Market Watch: CME cash dairy prices were mixed—butter fell while nonfat dry milk rose. Irrigation Efficiency: Portugal’s Alvor Irrigation Scheme is getting a €15m upgrade aimed at cutting water losses by up to 60%, with PV-powered pumping and new storage/filtration. Emergency Aid Need: FAO says about 10 lakh farm households in Bangladesh (nearly 50 lakh people) need emergency ag assistance, driven by flooding and waterlogging. Biosecurity: A pasture mealybug invasive insect was found in Georgia and is also reported in Texas, Florida and Louisiana, raising grass-loss risks. Food Safety Oversight: Michigan confirmed its first eastern equine encephalitis case in a horse, urging mosquito precautions. Research & Crops: CIMMYT highlighted “future-proofing wheat” in Mexico by accelerating disease resistance research. Ag Finance & Credit: Farm credit conditions remain tight as bankruptcies rise, with new tracking work on agriculture Chapter 11/12 filings. Regional Ag Business: Prime Bank and Bangladesh Agricultural University will fund climate-resilient crop, fisheries and livestock work in the haor ecosystem.

Pakistan–Saudi Agri Trade Push: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to lift Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to $3B over two years, prioritizing rice, red meat, fruits, green fodder and water-efficient tech—an export plan that will still hinge on cold-chain and logistics upgrades. Food Security Milestone: Iran says it has reached chicken self-sufficiency, producing over 2M tonnes vs 1.6M tonnes domestic demand, supported by a full poultry value chain despite drought and sanctions pressure. Local Value Addition: Zambia’s SMEs showcased processed, branded products at the National Agriculture Fair, betting that value addition and cooperatives can beat raw sales. Pest & Pollination Risk: Australia rolled out a CSIRO-led pest decision toolkit for growers, while beekeepers warn Varroa could threaten pollination and food security without effective management. Farm Labor Scrutiny: NSW safety watchdog issued 44 notices to labour-hire firms after modern slavery concerns in fruit-picking. Market Access & Exports: India’s Commerce Ministry set a Sept 1 meeting with exporters on India–US trade performance, and Kerala spice exporter Spice of Indian began shipping to Spain, Portugal and Greece. Farmer Profit Strategy: Bangladesh’s Rajshahi farmers are shifting to early vegetables to capture higher prices before the winter season. Business Support Grants: Vermont’s Sodexo “Vermont First” grant opens $10k–$15k awards to help local farms scale into institutional food supply chains.

US–Mexico Trade: The U.S. is using stalled talks with Mexico to pressure a cheese naming deal that gives the EU exclusive regional protections for products like parmesan and feta, with U.S. producers warning they could be locked out of the Mexican market. Export Finance: Bangladesh Bank launched a Tk 2,000 crore revolving pre-financing fund (up to 7% interest) to ease cash-flow and cold-chain costs for frozen shrimp and fish exporters. Farmworker Safety: Extreme heat can boost pesticide exposure for farm workers, raising health risks as regulators consider a federal workplace heat standard. Food Security & Climate: The Philippines’ agriculture chief ordered agencies to keep updating El Niño response plans as drought threatens output and prices. Sugar Shock: Odisha links rising sugar prices to ethanol-driven diversion of sugarcane plus weather damage and supply disruptions. Trade Targets in Ag: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to push Pakistani agri and food exports to $3B over two years, focusing on rice, red meat, fruits and water-efficient farming. EU Sugar Outlook: EU sugar production could fall to a multi-year low as sugar beet yields deteriorate. Market Access: Kenya won duty-free access to China for about 98.2% of tariff lines, opening room for exporters of tea, coffee, avocados and more. Agri-Industry Policy: Texas agriculture politics stays hot as the race for Agriculture Commissioner spotlights issues from pests to farmland pressure. Infrastructure for Exports: Nigeria’s APM Terminals Apapa reported 6% export volume growth in H1, citing rail links that reduce road congestion.

Food Security Watch: The Philippines is projected to hit 15.4 million food-insecure people this year (12.6% of its population), even as longer-term forecasts improve, according to a USDA global food assessment. Market Access & Trade: India and Chile are pushing CEPA talks forward, with agriculture among the sectors flagged for expanded market access. Quality & Label Trust: In Kyrgyzstan, experts warn that “organic” labels can’t be trusted without strong lab capacity and clear certification rules, after concerns about pesticide use on “organic” farms. Nigeria Food Systems Governance: Vice President Kashim Shettima urged stronger accountability for Nigeria’s $500m AGROW food-systems programme, focusing on where production, markets, nutrition and security pressures are greatest. Local Market Integrity: Malaysia’s Terengganu FAMA denied claims that foreigners were allowed to trade at its supervised farmers’ markets, saying the viral photo involved a different market. Climate & Farm Survival: Papua New Guinea coffee growers in the highlands say El Niño-linked dry weather is delaying berry ripening, calling for better water support. Agribusiness Growth: BKT plans to launch passenger-car tyres in November and target ₹23,000 crore revenue by FY30, building on its agriculture/industrial tyre roots. Energy Demand Pressure: Gujarat is preparing for electricity demand to top 250 billion units by 2035-36 as manufacturing and data centres expand.

Fertilizer Watch: Bangladesh’s agriculture minister says there’s no fertilizer shortage, citing 1.5 million tonnes imported plus government stock for four months, and warns of action against anyone “creating artificial crises” to push prices up. Trade & Inputs: A U.S.-Canada tariff escalation threatens farm equipment supply chains, with Canadian parts and components facing new duties that could raise costs for U.S. farmers and ranchers. Food Security Governance: Nigeria’s VP Kashim Shettima is pushing for stronger accountability in food security spending, demanding measurable outcomes for farmers and households while improving logistics and reserves. Regional Ag Partnerships: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reaffirm plans to deepen cooperation in agriculture and food security, including irrigation efficiency and investment. Market Signals: Punjab’s kharif data shows rice now covers over 92% of cultivation area, squeezing out non-paddy crops. Livestock Health: Scotland reports first bluetongue cases of the season, urging farmers to plan vaccination and follow movement rules closely. Agri-Industry Growth: Malaysia’s MAHA 2026 spotlights “value creation” via fisheries SMEs, with myAgropreneur and community fisheries scaling up toward higher enterprise levels. Agri-Trade Expansion: India and Argentina are broadening ties beyond oil and soy into lithium, pharma, and agriculture as trade tops $6.5bn.

US-Canada Trade Shock for Agri-Food: Tariffs and retaliation tied to the wider U.S.-Canada trade war are raising uncertainty for agri-food supply chains and prices, with Manitoba announcing $100M+ in support for producers and businesses as the next tariff wave looms. Farm Inputs & Food Prices: India’s egg and chicken costs are climbing as poultry feed gets pricier, driven by maize and soybean meal inflation that squeezes tight poultry margins. On-Farm Power Reliability: A Rajasthan hydroponics case shows how grid outages can slash output (missed targets by 62%) when solar sits idle and backup diesel overheats—highlighting a major food-security risk from unreliable electricity. School Meals & Local Sourcing: USDA’s “Harvest to Hallways” push aims to connect more U.S. farmers with schools while funding kitchen upgrades to serve healthier, more nutrient-dense meals. Digital Agriculture Push: Odisha signed MoUs to expand digital agriculture and farmer services, using Gramin Dak Sevaks for AgriStack enrolment and last-mile support. China Food Security Law: China’s revised Agriculture Law takes effect Jan 1, 2027, prioritizing grain supply stability, farmer income, and modernization. Global Halal Trade: Malaysia backed 15 halal-certified exporters to Fi South America 2026 in Sao Paulo, targeting major B2B meetings and sales potential.

U.S. Meat Policy Shake-Up: Trump moves to let ranchers process and sell their own beef, aiming to break the dominance of major meatpackers; USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says “red tape” will be waived and ranchers may sell across state lines, while cattle groups warn it won’t fix herd rebuilding. Tariffs and Farm Costs: Canada’s agriculture federation urges Ottawa to keep food and agri-products out of the tariff fight as machinery and input costs rise; Prince Edward Island also announced tariff-linked working capital and grants for businesses and workers. Beef Market Volatility: Cattle prices dipped amid uncertainty from feeder-cattle and lean-beef import changes, including a 90-day tariff waiver window for imported lean trimmings sold at a mandated discount. Organic Supply Chain Push: Ireland launched the Organic Beef and Lamb Innovation Group to connect farmers, processors, and transport support so more organic animals reach shelves with premium returns. Local Food and Jobs: Vermont’s Farm to Plate plan highlights growing local produce purchasing through CSA and produce-prescription programs. Drought Watch: Kansas drought conditions worsen for sorghum and especially soybeans, with forecasts leaning warmer and not much wetter. Trade Matchmaking in Malaysia: FAMA’s AgriMatch links farmers to demand as consumers shift to smaller, convenient produce, while a home-farming campaign (KENDIRI) promotes household resilience.

Trade & Value Addition: The Philippines’ DTI–Bagong Pilipinas Coconut trade fair spotlights how coconut exports (up 34.4% in 2025 to $3.6B) can grow beyond “buko juice” into higher-value products for 2.8M farmers. Climate Risk to Food Prices: South Africa’s record maize harvest may cushion shortages, but strengthening El Niño threatens the 2026/27 summer crop and could lift staple prices. Policy & Oversight: South Africa’s new agriculture portfolio committee chair vows tighter oversight of public funds. Farm Support & Markets: Iowa launched “Honor Harvest,” a Food is Medicine pilot linking rural veterans to fresh local food from Choose Iowa members, creating new demand for farmers. Beekeeping Jobs: Yemen’s Zakat authority backed a 75-family beekeeping and honey marketing project with hives, equipment, and packaging support. Biosecurity: Australia urged dairy farmers to watch for H5 bird flu symptoms and report quickly via the emergency hotline. Trade Infrastructure: ADB approved a $400M facility to modernize border crossings across CAREC to cut logistics bottlenecks. Local Agriculture Spotlight: California’s Butte County Fair added a marketplace for Gridley-grown and made products. Cattle Industry Pressure: Texas ranchers and cattle groups pushed back on Trump’s cheaper beef import plan, warning it could stall herd expansion.

ASEAN Market Access: Malaysia signed two ASEAN MOUs to expand trade in agri-food, forestry and commodities while boosting climate-smart agriculture cooperation. US Dairy Strategy: CoBank says $13B in new U.S. dairy processing investment is reshaping competition, with protein now gaining ground in milk pricing. Trade Tensions: The U.S.-Canada tariff fight is spilling into agriculture and consumer costs, with Wisconsin and other producers warning of higher prices and market disruption. Beef Price Politics: Ranchers push back on plans to suspend tariffs and sell imported ground beef below market for 90 days, arguing it could undercut cattle markets. Global Food Risk: Research links widespread drought across major wheat regions to big swings in global wheat prices, underscoring climate-driven volatility. Farm-to-Market Push: Philippines President Marcos highlighted an egg cooperative model that cuts middlemen and turns excess eggs into longer-lasting pasteurized, frozen and powdered products. Input Innovation & Policy: UPOV stresses plant variety protection as a driver of breeding innovation, while seed and biological treatment coverage points to the practical hurdles of scaling new tech. Regional Support: Belize livestock and feed sectors are set for a $1.11M grant to strengthen honey and livestock production plus market infrastructure.

U.S.-Canada Trade War: Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on $27.6B of U.S. goods starting Sept. 8, hitting sectors that include agricultural equipment and dairy, while the U.S. escalates pressure—raising fresh uncertainty for farm input costs and cross-border supply chains. Farm Finance & Policy: Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ruthy Masake urged stakeholders to back “bankable” youth-led ag projects with practical partnerships across government, finance, markets, and traditional authorities. Climate Risk for Food Prices: South Africa’s agriculture faces El Niño-driven downside risk: a weaker 2026/27 summer maize harvest could squeeze affordability even if shelves don’t empty. Aquaculture Feed Markets: Fishmeal supply is tightening as aquaculture expands, with the market projected to grow to $12.078B by 2034—spotlighting feed-cost pressure for producers. Agri-Trade & Exports: Japan reported record first-half 2026 food exports (up 10.9%), led by green tea and yellowtail, while Cambodia’s Expo Series 2026 opened to boost agriculture and food supply-chain deals. Tech for Ag Productivity: Canada renewed $50M for the Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) to speed adoption of farm innovations. Local Ag Value Chains: Zimbabwe’s VP Chiwenga pushed a “Farm-to-Fork” approach to help farmers move into processing and retain more value.

Trade War Shock: U.S.-Canada talks have collapsed and both sides are moving to new tariffs, with Canada hitting about $20B of U.S. goods and a $7.5B support package—raising fresh alarms for farm exports, including dairy and fresh produce. Policy & Compliance: Maryland expands eligibility for five-year nutrient management plan extensions for low-risk no-land, pasture-only and organic poultry operations, aiming to cut paperwork while protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Regenerative Farming: Christensen Farms (Nebraska) is leaning into regenerative practices, crop diversity and tech to reduce inputs and protect long-term soil health. Crop Watch: Michigan expects a high-quality 2026 apple crop with strong size and color, while Arkansas rice growers report the lowest acreage in about 50 years amid drought and weak prices. Ag Innovation: John Deere is investing $10M in Reservoir Farms to accelerate “rugged AI” agtech for specialty crops. Market Access (Ghana): Ghana is pushing investors to partner with local businesses and use Ghanaian inputs, while positioning gari and garments for wider African market reach under AfCFTA. Animal Health Tech: A Wexford farmer’s “one-stop shop” animal-health testing lab concept wins an Irish agri-journalists communications prize.

US–Canada Trade War Hits Agriculture: Canada’s dollar-for-dollar retaliation and new U.S. tariff threats are rippling into dairy, beef, and everyday food costs, with farmers and retailers bracing for higher input and consumer prices. Pesticide Policy: California begins phasing out paraquat-dichloride, a major orchard herbicide, as health advocates push for faster regulatory action. Carbon Markets & Forestry: New Zealand’s environment watchdog says forestry should be paused and reformed in the ETS, arguing it’s paying for “cheap” offsets instead of real emissions cuts. Rural Finance: A U.S. rural mainstreet survey shows slight improvement above growth-neutral, but farmland values and borrower conditions remain fragile. Food Safety Crackdown: Kenya orders intensified agrovet inspections after a reported 95% drop in illegal pesticide imports. Global Food Trade: Peru’s blueberry exports surge overall, while China’s share falls sharply. Agri-Trade & Investment: Qatar and Brazil explore deals to boost food security, cold-chain logistics, and agriculture investment. Local Growth: Scotland’s Rowan Glen invests £1m+ to expand dairy production, while Fiji eyes bamboo as a new climate-smart rural industry.

Trade War Fallout (US-Canada): Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on about C$27.6bn (~$19.9bn) of U.S. goods, hitting 700+ product categories (including steel, dairy, seafood, appliances, farm equipment and electronics) with rates up to 50% starting Sept. 8, after the U.S. imposed 50% duties on Canadian imports and threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian autos/parts; Farm & Food Pressure: U.S. farmers warn costs are rising as tariffs and the Iran conflict squeeze fertilizer, fuel and machinery budgets, while Iowa lawmakers say the Canada fight threatens agriculture and critical minerals; Policy & Market Moves: Arkansas signed on to USDA’s “Harvest to Hallways” to boost locally sourced food in school cafeterias, with $50m for cafeteria infrastructure and $25m in Farm to School grants; Beekeeping Support: Virginia opened free beehive equipment applications to expand managed honey bee colonies (equipment only, bees not included); Climate Watch: Four Corners farmers are weighing what a potential “super El Niño” could mean—more snow and reservoir fill, but also a risk of damaging wet conditions; Biofuels Shock: Soybean growers are alarmed by reports of surging RFS small-refinery exemptions that could cut biofuel demand.

Trade War Shock to Ag Exports: Canada will announce retaliatory tariffs after Trump threatens 50% levies on Canadian cars, trucks, parts and steel, with Carney also moving to hit back on Sept. 8—raising fresh alarms for agricultural supply chains and dairy and ag-equipment sectors. Farm Income Under Pressure: Australia’s farmer wellbeing report flags worsening stress and anxiety tied to high fuel, fertiliser and freight costs plus disasters. Drought-to-Disease Risk: Korea’s heat and drought damage is colliding with heavy rain, flooding recovery delays, and fungal/pest threats just before Chuseok fruit buying season. Livestock Cashflow Ruling: Nepal’s Supreme Court orders government systems to ensure dairy farmers are paid regularly, after years of unpaid dues. Animal Health Watch: UK bluetongue cases are spreading across Great Britain, and Northern Ireland faces disruption risk if controls tighten. Irrigation Heritage & Output: Nepal’s Chandra Canal gets a push as both irrigation lifeline and heritage/tourism asset. Agri-Tech & Equipment: Claas adds film binding to its Rollant 630 RC for silage producers, while India’s PACS staffing norms link workforce levels to business volume. Climate Planning: PNG stakeholders validate an El Niño drought plan for 2026–27, focusing on preparedness and coordinated action.

US-Canada Trade War: New 50% U.S. tariffs on about $20B of Canadian goods kicked in after talks collapsed, with Canada set to retaliate “dollar for dollar” starting Sept. 8; the fight is already spilling into agriculture-linked sectors like dairy and agricultural equipment, and analysts warn of major job losses. Dairy Market Watch: USDA lowered its 2026 butter forecast to $1.65/lb and nonfat dry milk to $1.61/lb, while dry whey stayed supported by strong protein demand. School Meals & Local Farms: USDA and HHS launched “Harvest to Hallways” to connect more U.S. farmers with schools, fund kitchen upgrades, and expand tools for healthier, nutrient-dense meals. AgTech & Careers: Imperial Valley College and University of Arizona Yuma formalized Agri-STEM transfer pathways for local students, while Green Aero announced exclusive Canadian distribution of Ceres Air agricultural drones. Food Security on the Ground: Missouri’s “Drive to Feed Kids” delivered 825,196 meals, and Vermont’s farmer-owned Sunset Lake Cannabis donated $2,500 to the Vermont Foodbank. Screwworm Risk Controls: USDA resumed phased live cattle imports into Arizona, with TSCRA urging strict safeguards and quick shutdown if triggers fail. Nutrition & Horticulture: FAO stressed shifting agriculture goals from just producing enough to delivering diverse, affordable healthy diets, highlighting horticulture’s role.

US-Canada Trade War: Canada rejected a US deal after “last-minute” demands, with Mark Carney saying Washington’s terms were unfair and vowing “dollar-for-dollar” retaliatory tariffs from Sept. 8; the dispute is already expected to hit sectors including dairy and agricultural equipment. Global Grain Pressure: The world wheat market faces fresh strain from climate change, drought, Black Sea disruptions, and El Niño-linked transport slowdowns, raising price pressure for import-dependent countries. Biosecurity Spotlight (Australia): Australia’s Department of Agriculture is marking National Biosecurity Week (Aug 24–30) by lighting national landmarks blue, underscoring biosecurity’s role in protecting food and industries. Food Supply & Prices (India): NAFED and NCCF procured about 120,000 tons of onions, lifting procurement prices to stabilize retail costs. Livestock Trade (US-Mexico): The US is partially reopening Mexican cattle imports via Douglas, Arizona, despite a newly confirmed New World screwworm case in Sonora. Farm Policy (Colorado): A new Colorado law makes it illegal to mislabel produce as locally grown, tightening rules for farmers markets and vendors. Ag Tech & Finance (India): A Nagaland advisor urged AgriStack tailoring for hill-state realities like shifting cultivation and weak land records, focusing on pulse seed security and market linkages. Renewables & Biofuels Markets: Multiple reports project rapid growth in sustainable fuels, SAF, and biofuels through 2035, driven by EU and US policy support.