AGRI NEWS NET- WEEKEND NEWS RUSH Summary of the Week News 18th January 2026

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Biogénesis Bagó, an international animal health company, has officially appointed Design Biologix, a South African private vaccine manufacturer, as the exclusive agent for importing and distributing its critical foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine in South Africa, effective immediately.

Kenners en veeartse beskou minister John Steenhuisen se nuwe aksieplan teen bek-en-klouseer (BKS) as heeltemal te laat en onrealisties, met die uitbreking wat reeds soos ’n wegholbrand buite beheer is.

South Africa's agricultural sector enjoyed a strong recovery in 2025, driven by favourable weather that boosted field crops, horticulture, and wine grape production, which in turn supported robust sales in the interlinked agricultural machinery industry

Suid-Afrika se verwydering van die Europese Unie (EU) se lys van hoë-risiko derde lande ("high-risk third country jurisdictions" of gryslys) vir geldwassery en terreurbefondsing sal amptelik op 29 Januarie 2026 in werking tree, volgens 'n besluit wat op 9 Januarie 2026 gepubliseer is.

The latest Household Affordability Index from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD), released in January 2026, paints a stark picture of deepening food insecurity for low-income South African households

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released January 7, 2026, by HHS and USDA under the new administration, represent a major shift in federal nutrition advice.

Mid-month data from the (CEF), as of mid-January 2026, points to significant fuel price reductions expected for February 2026 in South Africa, driven by a stronger rand against the US dollar (trading around R16.34–R16.41 per dollar, near its strongest levels in over a year) and a notable drop in global oil prices (Brent crude around $62–$66 per barrel amid oversupply and easing geopolitical tensions).

Die bek-en-klouseer-krisis dryf Suid-Afrikaanse veeboere tot uiterste emosionele en finansiële nood: diere vrek op streep, plaaswerkers word afgelê, skuld stapel op, en donker gedagtes – insluitend selfmoord – kom by baie voor. Boere soos Neil Dry, Nick Serfontein en Victor Lourens beskryf die trauma: nutteloosheid, gesinsversteurings, gevoel van verwerping deur die bedryf, en hulpeloosheid omdat daar geen geneesmiddel is nie en oplossings uitbly.

Die organiseerders van die gewilde Bloemskou in die Vrystaat het aangekondig dat die bees- en kleinvee-afdelings vir die 2026-skou gekanselleer is weens die voortdurende bek-en-klouseer-uitbreking.

The South African Table Grape Industry has confirmed that the initial national crop estimate for the 2025/26 table grape season remains unchanged, with the season progressing broadly in line with earlier expectations.


Suid-Afrika se landbousektor betree 2026 onder groot druk weens onsekerhede wat in 2025 ontstaan het, veral deur vertraagde en swak toegepaste tariefbeskerming vir koring en uitgebreide pligvrye invoer van Amerikaanse hoender onder AGOA.

A persistent cutoff low pressure system over northeastern South Africa and southern Mozambique has unleashed hundreds of millimetres of torrential rain in just a few days, on top of an already exceptionally wet December that saturated soils, filled farm dams, and pushed many rivers and streams to record levels.

Die Suid-Afrikaanse landboumasjinerie-sektor toon sterk optimisme vir 2026, met die South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SALMA / SAAMA) wat voorspel dat trekkerverkope tussen 5% en 10% hoër sal wees as in 2025.

The US House of Representatives passed the AGOA Extension Act (H.R. 6500) this week (12 January 2026), extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act for three years through 31 December 2028 with strong bipartisan support (340-54 vote).

President Cyril Ramaphosa beskryf die swaar reën in Limpopo as rampspoedig. Hy het die provinsie gister besoek om die omvang van die skade en die regering se reaksie te bepaal. ʼn Seun is vroeër die week in die Mutale-rivier meegesleur en ʼn vierjarige het Woensdag by die Mbaula-nedersetting verdrink.


Africa holds enormous untapped potential in corn (maize), frequently dubbed the continent's "untapped goldmine," as major producers export huge quantities of raw grain—mainly for food and animal feed—while importing expensive processed products, leading to massive profit leakage, lost employment opportunities, and forgone innovation

Our team travels weekly across South Africa's farming regions to witness the ground-level reality of agriculture, particularly the devastating impact of the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD / bek-en-klouseer) outbreak that has raged since 2024 and intensified into 2026.

Die eiendomsreg in Suid-Afrika kan in 2026 'n kritieke waterskeidingsjaar beleef weens botsende standpunte oor grondhervorming. ANC-sekretaris-generaal Fikile Mbalula het op die party se 114de verjaardagviering buite Rustenburg herhaal dat die ANC sy langstaande resolusie sal implementeer om grond sonder vergoeding te onteien, as deel van ekonomiese transformasie en herstel.

The United States under President Donald Trump announced an urgent 25% tariff on January 12, 2026, on all trade with any country doing business with Iran, effective immediately, as Trump stated on Truth Social: "any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America."

Die Suid-Afrikaanse beesbedryf staar een van sy dringendste uitdagings in die gesig met die voortdurende verspreiding van bek-en-klouseer (BKS/FMD) sedert die uitbreking in April/Mei 2025 begin het, veral in provinsies soos KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng, Vrystaat en Noordwes.

The combine harvester sales amounted to 207 units in 2025, up by 3% from the previous year. These solid sales may continue in 2026, as the agricultural conditions, particularly in field crops and horticulture, remain favourable

Die Suid-Afrikaanse sitrusbedryf het pas sy sterkste seisoen ooit afgelê met 'n rekord 203,4 miljoen 15kg-kartonne vir uitvoer in 2025 – 'n skerp styging van 22% teenoor 2024 se ongeveer 165 miljoen kartonne, en ver bo die aanvanklike April-skatting van 171,2 miljoen.

South Africa’s coastal fire season (end of 2025 into early 2026) has been devastating, with blazes from Mossel Bay to Sandy Beach and Kouga destroying homes, killing livestock, burning thousands of hectares and claiming lives in recent weeks

'n Oranje-vlak-9-waarskuwing geld steeds vir die oostelike dele van Limpopo, waar talle gebiede oorstroom is weens die deurdringende reën. Die weerdiens sê daar is 'n groot kans vir oorstromings en grondstortings in veral die Mopani-, Vhembe- en Sekhukhune-gebiede, terwyl die waarskuwing ook geld vir gebiede in die Laeveld van Mpumalanga en langs die Platorand.

South Africa Wine is excited to announce the “Happy Birthday SA Wine 2026” campaign, a celebration of South African wine throughout January and February. This campaign invites wine lovers, producers, retailers, and industry stakeholders worldwide to celebrate South Africa’s rich winemaking heritage.

Minister John Steenhuisen het op 14 Januarie 2026 tydens 'n nuuskonferensie in die parlement 'n omvattende strategie aangekondig om die bek-en-klouseer-uitbreking (sedert Mei 2024, veral in KwaZulu-Natal) te bestry. Die departement dien Maandag 'n dringende aansoek by SAHPRA in vir die Argentynse Biogénesis Bagó-entstof, wat 1 miljoen dosisse binne twee weke ná goedkeuring kan lewer, gevolg deur nog 5 miljoen teen Maart.


South African farmers, led by the Southern Africa Agri Initiative (Saai), are urgently calling for the current foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak to be declared a national disaster under the Disaster Management Act.

TLU SA neem met groot kommer kennis van NERSA se sogenaamde “herbepaling” van Eskom se Generation Regulated Asset Base (RAB) en die gepaardgaande inkomste wat vir die volgende drie jaar uit elektrisiteitsverbruikers verhaal gaan word.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) welcomes the proposed extension of South African driving licence card validity from five to eight years but strongly rejects any automatic price increase.Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed on January 9, 2026, that the extension will happen, but her department is conducting a cost study.

In his January 14, 2026, reflection, Brendan Jacobs, Head of Agriculture at Standard Bank South Africa, describes 2025 as a year of renewed optimism for the sector, driven by a strong rebound in summer field crop production and improved efficiency at South African seaports.

1. USDA January reports shock corn market with higher 2025 yields and extra acres; March futures near August lows at $4.10.
2. Grains lower as markets digest USDA data; analysts warn of vulnerability to negative headlines.
3. Soybean sales rise while corn exports decline; China confirms new U.S. soybean purchases.
4. U.S. corn sales to South Korea hit 132,000 MT for 2025/26 delivery.
5. Brazil surpasses U.S. as world's top beef producer amid rising exports and feed capacity.
6. Argentina's ag exports surge 25% to $31.34B in 2025.
7. Ukraine grain exports drop in December due to lower wheat/soybean shipments.
8. China raises 2025/26 corn output estimate to record high on better acreage/yields.
9. Malaysia palm oil production/inventories peak; decline expected from January.
10. Global fertilizer supply and EPA biofuel rules to drive 2026 markets.

U.S. Farm Economy & Policy

1. Farmers face uncertain trade, low crop prices in 2026; beef remains bright spot.
2. Row-crop losses reach $34.6B in 2025 before insurance/support.
3. $12B Farmer Bridge Assistance Program details released; rice/cotton get biggest payments.
4. Economists forecast farm economy stabilization in 2026 but no major rebound without cost relief.
5. Tightest profit margins since 1980s; farmers urged to maximize input dollars.
6. USDA winter wheat planted acres slightly lower YoY but above expectations.
7. New priorities for USDA R&D in 2026: invasive species protection, profitability, new markets.
8. Cautious optimism for 2026; policy uncertainty and high costs block recovery.
9. North Dakota farmers "not set up for success" in 2026 amid tight margins.
10. MAHA movement influences 800+ state bills on health/ag issues in 2025.

Technology & Innovation

1. John Deere See & Spray upgrades in 2026: higher boom heights, speeds up to 15 mph.
2. Connected Agriculture market forecast 2025-2032: digital twins for greenhouse optimization.
3. Rapid rise of ag drones; new federal ban on foreign models impacts U.S. sector.
4. Autonomous tractors operating cab-free; parallels to self-driving tech demos.

South Africa & Africa Focus (FMD Crisis)

1. FMD outbreak deepens in early 2026; described as worst livestock disaster in SA history.
2. Minister Steenhuisen unveils 10-year phased plan to eradicate FMD starting February.
3. Dept of Agriculture to spend R1.8B+ on mass vaccination over two years.
4. Push for national disaster declaration to unlock funds, enforce movement controls.
5. BVI supplies 1M doses/month from mid-January; additional from Argentina/Turkey pending.
6. Farmers demand private sector role in vaccination to speed rollout.
7. Pig industry at risk with confirmed/suspected FMD outbreaks in Free State/KZN.
8. AgriSA welcomes strengthened response; calls for sustained cooperation.
9. Vaccination not a "silver bullet"; needs biosecurity, traceability, industry buy-in.

Other International Highlights

1. UN declares 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer; focus on women's role globally.
2. GFFA 2026 in Berlin (14-17 Jan) theme: Water in agriculture amid climate challenges.
3. Italy tractor registrations up 13.7% in early 2026; signs of market recovery.
4. Global food production slowdown per UN report; conflict/climate key drivers.
5. Rabbit farming rises as sustainable, low-impact option in East Africa.
6. North India heavy rains; Limpopo sopping wet with dam overflows.
7. Citrus season record 203.4M cartons exported; Vision 260 feels tangible.

Broader Outlook & Risks

1. World Bank: Global growth steady at 2.6% in 2026, up from June forecast; resilience amid tensions.
2. Developing economies slow to 4% in 2026; low-income at 5.6%.
3. 2020s weakest growth decade since 1960s; widening living standards gap.
4. Trade tensions/policy uncertainty key risks; need for liberalization, tech investment.
5. Geopolitical risks linger: Russia-Ukraine, China-Taiwan tensions impact exports.
6. Colorado River water negotiations gridlocked beyond 2026 deadline.
7. Invasive pests (New World screwworm, lanternfly) threaten U.S. integrity.
8. La Niña quick exit; potential El Niño in 2026 signals to watch.
9. Tight U.S. supplies in livestock; beef leverage near farm gate.
10. Farmers urged: "Hang on or get out" amid debt, losses; more exits expected.

This snapshot captures the pulse of global agriculture as of 16 January 2026 – from market volatility and policy shifts to disease battles and sustainability pushes. Stay tuned for updates!

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