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The global greenhouse sector continues to adjust to new challenges and long-term trends. Governments’ growing focus on self-sufficiency, ongoing climate challenges, and steady advances in technology are influencing investment patterns and crop strategies worldwide. This year’s update outlines how these developments are unfolding across regions.
Across markets, governments are placing greater emphasis on domestic production, a trend accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and concerns about food security. As more countries seek to approach self-sufficiency in fresh vegetables, investment in greenhouse capacity is expected to rise, even while short-term growth expectations among global suppliers have become more cautious.
At the same time, crop portfolios are evolving. While tomatoes remain the backbone of protected high-tech horticulture, strawberries and leafy greens are emerging as key growth categories. Experiments and trials with alternative crops continue to expand, though commercial breakthroughs remain distant.
Structural shifts are also being driven by energy and technology. The rapid build-out of data centers could open the door to new synergies, such as using residual heat in greenhouse clusters. Meanwhile, robotization is accelerating, with picking and harvesting technologies advancing first due to their repetitive nature and strong business case.
Looking ahead, climate change stands out as a defining challenge. More extreme weather, shifting crop suitability, and rising pest and disease pressures will likely prompt investments in climate adaptation measures at plant, farm, supply chain, and country levels.
Regionally, developments are diverse:
Overall, 2026 marks a period in which self sufficiency, the energy transition, technological adoption, and climate pressure converge, creating both challenges and new avenues for innovation and growth for the global greenhouse industry.
Cattle futures markets show needed price strength
April live cattle on Wednesday rose $3.55 to $240.975. March feeder cattle gained $2.675 to $367.45. The bulls needed to show strength after fading a bit, and they did just that Wednesday, to regain some momentum. Some improved trader/investor risk appetite in the general marketplace this week has worked in favor of the cattle market bulls. Wednesday’s much-stronger-than-expected US jobs report suggests consumer confidence will remain high—meaning still-solid demand for beef at the meat counter. USDA again Wednesday reported no active cash cattle trading as of midday Wednesday. Cash trading last week averaged $241.31, up $1.87 from prior week’s average cash cattle trade at $239.44.'
US-China trade truce may be extended by as much as one year: report
The soybean futures markets rallied overnight, with March beans hitting a nine-week high, after a report on a potential extended trade truce between the US and China fueled hopes for additional purchases of American agricultural products, including soybeans. President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping could extend their trade truce by as much as a year when they meet in Beijing in April, the South China Morning Post reported Thursday and as reported by Bloomberg, citing several unidentified people familiar with the discussions. The summit is set to be anchored around short-term economic wins, including fresh Chinese purchase commitments, the Morning Post report said. Last week, Trump said in a social media post that China was considering extending its soybean purchases to 20 million tons in the current season.
Trump mulls quitting USMCA trade deal as US House votes to end duties on Canada imports
President Trump is privately considering exiting the North American trade pact, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter, injecting further uncertainty about the deal’s future into pivotal renegotiations involving the US, Canada and Mexico. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement is set for a mandatory review before a possible extension on July 1, “a process that was once expected to be routine but has transformed into a contentious negotiation, with Trump demanding additional trade concessions from Ottawa and Mexico City,” said Bloomberg. Meantime, the Republican-led US House has passed legislation aimed at ending the Trump’s levies on Canadian imports. “Wednesday’s vote represents an increase in political pressure to change course on Trump’s signature economic policy just months before the midterm elections,” said Bloomberg. “The vote also signals a growing anxiety over the White House’s economic agenda before elections that are expected to focus heavily on affordability.” The US Senate will now take up the measure.
China eases duties on some EU dairy products
China has set final import tariffs on some dairy products from the European Union at as much as 11.7% following an anti-subsidy investigation, Bloomberg reported. The duties apply to goods including fresh and processed cheese and will take effect beginning Friday, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. European cheese and cream exports to China "face a very competitive market with other exporting countries," particularly those that benefit from free-trade agreements, said Alexander Anton, secretary general at trade group Euromilk. There have been efforts to deepen economic cooperation between China and the EU following a leaders summit in July, including a recent visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to China. Earlier this week, the EU moved to exempt one of Volkswagen AG’s China-built electric vehicles from hefty import duties, the first car to get approval under a new mechanism aimed at thawing tensions.
USDA announces completion of sterile fly dispersal facility in Texas
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday afternoon announced the completion of a US-based sterile fly dispersal facility in Edinburg, Texas, to continue to prevent the spread of New World Screwworm into the United States. “This facility expands USDA’s ability to disperse sterile flies along the border and into the United States, if necessary,” said a USDA press release. Rollins said USDA is “diligently working to stop the spread of screwworm in Mexico, conduct extensive trapping and surveillance along the border, increase US response capacity, and encourage innovative solutions,” Rollins said in the press release. In June of 2025, USDA announced a plan to enhance the agency’s ability to detect, control, and eliminate NWS.
JBS buys 80% stake in Oman meat plants
JBS NV, the world’s largest meat producer, agreed to buy a controlling stake in an Oman food business through a deal with wealth fund Oman Investment Authority, according to a Bloomberg report. “The Sao Paulo-based meatpacker is investing $150 million to obtain an 80% stake of the business, which includes a poultry plant and a unit that processes beef and lamb. The Oman wealth fund will retain the remaining 20% stake. The deal will allow JBS to produce fresh meat locally, sourcing breeder chickens from local suppliers in Oman. The lamb and beef meat unit will receive animals from other countries in Africa and the Middle East,” said the report. The deal marks JBS’ newest effort in the halal market involving food that adheres to Islamic law. JBS already processes chicken in Saudi Arabia and recently announced the expansion of its unit in Jeddah.
USMEF presses for China beef market reopening
Industry leaders tell producers access is critical to carcass value, export demand, and consumer affordability
At the 2026 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville (CattleCon), leaders from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) delivered a candid update on efforts to regain US beef access to China, underscoring the market’s strategic importance even amid tight cattle supplies.
Erin Borror, USMEF vice president for economic analysis, told producers there has been no breakthrough yet in reopening China, describing the situation as a “complicated market closure.” Still, she emphasized the necessity of restoring access — particularly at this stage of the cattle cycle — to maintain export channels that add value across the entire carcass.
Borror stressed that exports are not just about volume but about maximizing carcass value. Even with relatively low US supplies, she said, the industry must have access to key international markets like China to sustain pricing power and profitability.
She also noted that USMEF has been working in Washington to reinforce the message that export access benefits both producers and American consumers by supporting affordability and optimizing product utilization
Jay Theiler, USMEF chair and a representative of Agri-Beef, said he recently met with officials from USDA and the Office of the US Trade Representative. According to Theiler, trade officials recognize the importance of China not only as a standalone buyer but as a competitive bidder that strengthens overall carcass value and supports pricing in other Asian markets. While acknowledging that the market may not reopen immediately, Theiler said USTR officials remain actively engaged in negotiations and understand the challenges facing the beef sector.
The takeaway for producers: China access remains a top priority. Even in a constrained cattle supply environment, export demand — particularly from a major market like China — plays a critical role in sustaining industry value and long-term competitiveness.
US, Argentina finalize trade deal; more Argentine beef coming to US
Argentina and the US agreed to scrap hundreds of tariffs on each other’s goods in a trade and investment deal inked Thursday, a major step in President Javier Milei’s push to open up the historically protectionist South American economy, said a Bloomberg report. The US agreed to eliminate over 1,600 reciprocal tariffs on Argentine goods while Milei’s government will terminate more than 220 levies on US products, Argentina’s foreign ministry said in a statement. Argentina will be able to export 100,000 tons of beef to the US with preferential access as part of the agreement, up from the current quota of 20,000 tons, according to the foreign ministry’s statement. The quota increase amounts to an extra $800 million, officials estimated. “That detail could revive tensions between Trump and some Republican lawmakers, who sought to protect US ranchers from more competition from Argentine beef last year. Argentina will also increase its imports of American beef, cars and agricultural products,” said Bloomberg.
China’s largest hog breeder has successful stock listing in Hong Kong
Muyuan Foods Co. plans to partner with Asian hog farmers and enhance its global feed-grain supply network after raising HK$10.7 billion ($1.4 billion) in Hong Kong’s biggest listing of the year so far, Bloomberg reported. China’s largest hog breeder is looking to expand in Southeast Asia over the next three to five years, its chief financial officer said, in a move that will bolster regional biosecurity and help the company to diversify beyond an oversupplied domestic market. Muyuan also aims to build procurement teams in major grain- and oilseed-exporting nations like Brazil to ensure a steady supply of feed ingredients, Gao Tong told Bloomberg in an interview. “We hope to improve our globalized supply chain through this Hong Kong listing,” he said. “The proceeds will enable the company to expand overseas at a time when China – the world’s largest pork producer – is suffering from excess supply and declining prices at home. Farmers have also faced increased volatility in the global supply chain, with soybeans – a key ingredient in pig feed – becoming a flashpoint in trade tensions between Beijing and Washington,” said Bloomberg.
Weekly USDA dairy report
CME GROUP CASH MARKETS (2/6) BUTTER: Grade AA closed at $1.7100. The weekly average for Grade AA is $1.6375 (+0.0805). CHEESE: Barrels closed at $1.4400 and 40# blocks at $1.4725. The weekly average for barrels is $1.4240 (-0.0040) and blocks $1.4315 (+0.0375). NONFAT DRY MILK: Grade A closed at $1.6400. The weekly average for Grade A is $1.5475 (+0.1580). DRY WHEY: Extra grade dry whey closed at $0.7300. The weekly average for dry whey is $0.7260 (-0.0190).
BUTTER HIGHLIGHTS: In the East region, domestic butter demand is strong. In the Central and West regions, domestic butter demand varies from lighter to steady. 80 percent butterfat butter loads are readily available. Export demand is generally strong and 82 percent butterfat butter spot load availability is tight. Cream volumes and spot load offers are steady for buyers. Cream demand from butter manufacturers is mixed. Butter production schedules are running at or close to capacity for the most part. Some facilities that began production last year are working to boost milk and cream intakes to reach plant capacity. Bulk butter overages range from 2 cents below to 10 cents above market across all regions.
CHEESE HIGHLIGHTS: Class III milk availability remains adequate for production. Cheese markets remain steady, driven by strong retail demand and stable wholesale bulk activity. In the Central region spot milk volumes are available, and demand for Class I and Class III milk is strengthening. Last week's winter storm disrupted transportation and manufacturing across much of the US, but processors in the Central region report operations have resumed. Cheesemakers are running busy schedules, supported by internal milk supplies. Contractual milk volumes in the West region continue to flow to cheesemakers. Class III spot milk availability is tight in the Northwest; demand from processors is stronger. Cheese production varies from steady to stronger. Domestic retail and foodservice demand is mixed; export demand ranges from steady to stronger.
FLUID MILK HIGHLIGHTS: Farm milk output is steady to stronger nationwide, with only the Western region seeing an increase in milk volumes. Many manufacturers are resuming normal operations after a winter storm disrupted operations for much of last week. Bottlers are running busy schedules to restock retailers after the storm. Class II production is somewhat light this week, with only a few reported spot sales of cream. Class III production is steady to strong. Cheese manufacturers continue to run busy production schedules due to strong retail demand and increasing growth in bulk demand. Class IV production is strong nationwide. Butter churns are operating at or near capacity and continue to take spot loads of cream and milk. Milk powders continue to be in high demand, so producers are keeping dryers running to take advantage of high spot market prices. Condensed skim demand is unseasonably strong. Condensed skim is selling to Class III facilities for $0.15 over Class price. Cream multiples for all Classes range:1.06– 1.35 in the East; 0.95– 1.18 in the Midwest; 0.85 – 1.16 in the West.
DRY PRODUCTS HIGHLIGHTS: Nonfat dry milk (NDM) prices strengthened across all regions, with the largest gains in the Central region. CME Grade A NDM reached $1.60 Thursday, the highest since August 2022. Dry buttermilk prices were mostly higher, except the steady low end of the range in the Central and East region. Spot activity is active, while tighter availability was noted in the West. Dry whey markets were mixed, with declines in mostly ranges for the Central and West regions, but steady prices in the Northeast. Lactose prices held steady and remain well above year-over-year levels amid strong demand. The whey protein concentrate 34% prices were mixed, with an increase at the low end and decrease at the high end, while the mostly series held firm. Dry whole milk prices continued to strengthen, supported by strong gains in butter and NDM. Acid and rennet casein prices rose sharply, led by strong increases at the top end of the rennet range.
ORGANIC DAIRY MARKET NEWS: The Pennsylvania Monthly Organic Dairy Report covering November 2025 showed that the weighted average price for fluid milk increased in October, while the Vermont Monthly Organic Dairy Report showed a decrease in the weighted average price for fluid milk. The USDA’s ERS is releasing a report titled America's Farms and Ranches at a Glance: 2025 Edition on February 10, 2026, which includes a new, on-time section on organic acreage by ownership type, region, and farm specialization. Federal Milk Market Order 1 reported utilization of organic milk by regulated plants in December 2025 was up for both whole milk and organic reduced fat milk from a year prior. November 2025 export data released by FAS covering volumes of organic milk categorized as HS-10 code 0401201000 showed a decrease in the volume exported compared to the prior month and from a year earlier, while exports from the start of 2025 through November were up from the same time period a year ago.
Officials from the Trump administration signed a final agreement on reciprocal trade that confirms a 15% US tariff rate for imports from Taiwan, while committing Taiwan to a schedule for eliminating or lowering tariffs on nearly all US goods
The document released by the US Trade Representative's office, also commits Taiwan to significantly boost purchases of US goods from 2025 through 2029, including $44.4 billion worth of liquefied natural gas and crude oil, $15.2 billion worth of civil aircraft and engines, $25.2 billion worth of power grid equipment and generators, marine and steelmaking equipment.
The agreement adds technical language and specific details to a trade agreement first reached in January that cut tariffs on Taiwanese goods, including from its powerhouse semiconductor industries, to 15% from the 20% initially imposed by Trump. That puts Taiwan on an equal footing to its closest Asian export competitors South Korea and Japan.
The deal will immediately eliminate Taiwan's tariffs of up to 26% on many agricultural imports, including beef, dairy, corn and other imports.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement that the agreement will boost export opportunities for US farmers, ranchers, fishermen, workers, and manufacturers.
"This agreement also builds on our longstanding economic and trade relationship with Taiwan and will significantly enhance the resilience of our supply chains, particularly in high-technology sectors," Greer added.
World Farming Agriculture and Commodity news - 9th February 2026
France consumed a record number of eggs in 2025, driven by their affordability amid economic uncertainty, and the trend is set to continue, prompting producers to build more hen houses, Reuters reported, citing the French egg industry group on Thursday.
Demand for eggs has risen across Europe and around the world as they are seen as a cost-effective source of protein, suitable for a wide variety of dishes and dietary preferences.
Each French resident ate an average of 237 eggs in 2025, either as shell eggs or processed egg products, up from 227 eggs in 2024, the CNPO industry group said.
Projections from French technical institute ITAVI suggest that demand will keep growing, with estimates of 269 eggs per person annually by 2035, of which 70% would be shell eggs.
"In 2020 demand boomed as people stayed at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. We could have expected the trend to fall but it didn't and instead continued to grow steadily," Emily Mayer from market research firm Circana, told a news conference.
The strong demand pushed wholesale egg prices up by about 20% over the past year, according to data released by farm office FranceAgriMer. Retail prices for shell eggs in supermarkets remained relatively stable, due to a government mechanism linking food prices to farmers' costs.
To meet rising demand, French producers have increased output but production has struggled to keep pace.
The egg industry aims to build 575 new poultry houses by 2035 to accommodate an additional 10 million laying hens.
In the meantime, France has relied more on imports which rose 21% in 2025, with Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands the main suppliers, according to CNPO.
Direct shipments from Ukraine, a major supplier, remain limited, but eggs often enter France via other EU countries, CNPO Chair Yves-Marie Beaudet said.
Ukraine is Europe's top foreign egg supplier, with EU imports from Ukraine up 67% in the first 10 months of 2025, EU data showed.
World food prices fell for a fifth straight month in January, led by declines in dairy, sugar and meat products, Reuters reported, citing the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation on Friday.
The FAO's food price index, which tracks monthly changes in a basket of internationally traded food commodities, averaged 123.9 points in January, down 0.4% from December and 0.6% from a year earlier, the agency said.
The index was 22.7% below its peak struck in March 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Dairy prices showed the largest drop among the main product groups, down 5% month on month, driven by lower cheese and butter prices.
Meat prices slipped 0.4% as lower pig meat prices outweighed increases in poultry prices.
Sugar prices fell 1% from December and were 19.2% lower than a year earlier, reflecting expectations of increased supplies.
Cereals and vegetable oils rose last month, however.
FAO's cereal index edged up by 0.2% as stronger rice prices linked to firmer demand offset slightly weaker quotations for other major cereals.
The vegetable oil index climbed 2.1% as higher palm, soy and sunflower oil prices outweighed lower rapeseed oil quotations.
In a separate report, the FAO raised its estimate on 2025 global cereal production to a record 3.023 billion metric tons, citing higher wheat yields and improved maize prospects.
It also said world cereal stocks were set to expand in the 2025/26 season, lifting the global stocks-to-use ratio to 31.8%, its highest since 2001.
Brazilian chicken meat exports (considering all products, both fresh and processed) totaled 459,000 tons in January, This is a record for the month and represents a 3.6% increase compared to the same period last year, which totaled 443,000 tons.
In terms of revenue, there was also growth and a record for January. The result reached US$874.2 million, a 5.8% increase compared to the first month of 2025, which was US$826.4 million.
The United Arab Emirates, the main destination for Brazilian chicken meat exports, imported 44,300 tons in the month, a volume 14% higher than that recorded last year. Next are South Africa, with 36,800 tons (+34%), Saudi Arabia, with 33,500 tons (+5%), China, with 33,500 tons (-25%), Japan, with 29,200 tons (+4%), the European Union, with 27,400 tons (+24%), the Philippines, with 25,100 tons (+23%), South Korea, with 16,200 tons (+10%), Singapore, with 14,100 tons (equivalent to 2025) and Chile, with 11,800 tons (+51%).
The leading exporting state, Paraná, shipped 187,700 tons in January (+3.9%), followed by Santa Catarina, with 103,100 tons (+9.3%), Rio Grande do Sul, with 58,700 tons (+0.75%), São Paulo, with 26,700 tons (+2%) and Goiás, with 25,600 tons (+9.5%).
“The record performance with increases in practically all major destinations, during a period of typically reduced demand, such as the month of January, signals optimistic prospects for 2026. This indicates sustained growth in several importing markets, especially in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, the countries of the European Union and certain Asian markets with significant demand,” advises the president of ABPA, Ricardo Santin.
Pork also at record level
Brazilian pork exports (considering all products, both fresh and processed) also reached record levels for the period. A total of 116,300 tons were shipped in January, a 9.7% increase compared to the total shipped in the same month last year, which was 106,000 tons.
Export revenue reached US$270.2 million, a 13.6% increase compared to the same period last year (and a record for the month of January), which totaled US$238 million.
The Philippines, the largest importer of Brazilian pork, received 37,400 tons (+91%). They were followed by Japan, with 12,900 tons (+58%), Hong Kong, with 8,800 tons (-7%), China, with 8,300 tons (-58%), Chile, with 7,700 tons (equivalent to 2025), Singapore, with 5,500 tons (-16%), Uruguay, with 3,700 tons (+1%), Ivory Coast, with 3,400 tons (+3%), Mexico, with 3,000 tons (+133%), and Argentina, with 2,800 tons (-37%).
The largest exporting state, Santa Catarina, shipped 56,500 tons (-2.3%), followed by Rio Grande do Sul, with 29,000 tons (+34.4%), Paraná, with 17,000 tons (+29.1%), Mato Grosso, with 3,600 tons (+7.5%) and Minas Gerais, with 3,000 tons (-11.8%).
"The trend that occurred throughout 2025 continues this year, with a decentralization of shipments from China to new destinations, including the Philippines and other high value-added markets, such as Japan. The record balance in January points to a positive flow again in 2026," emphasizes the president of ABPA, Ricardo Santin.
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