AFRO WORLD AGRI FOOD INT 2025

Cocoa futures saw sharp declines this week as favorable growing conditions in West Africa raised hopes for improved crop yields, leading to bearish sentiment in global cocoa markets. On Wednesday, ICE New York July cocoa contracts (CCN25) dropped by -2.65%, closing down $263, while ICE London cocoa futures (CAN25) fell -3.14%, down £202 — hitting their lowest levels in over two weeks.

In a significant milestone for Taiwan’s agricultural exports, over 5,400 packages of Kaohsiung 147 rice, a premium local japonica variety, have been exported to South Africa. The announcement was made by the Kaohsiung City Agriculture Bureau

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to inaugurate its first ethanol distillery in June 2025, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to diversify its energy sector and advance toward sustainable industrial development.

South Africa's agriculture sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of global disruptions.

Climate change and biodiversity loss are crippling agricultural production in Africa, a key exporter of staples such as cocoa, coffee, and maize, putting Europe’s food supply at serious risk.

The East African Community (EAC) is placing youth at the forefront of its agri-food systems policy, recognizing their pivotal role in driving sustainable agricultural transformation and ensuring food security in the region.

Currently, the major updates specific to Africa's agriculture and commodities are limited, but here’s what’s relevant from the broader global scene affecting Africa

A surprising development in East and Southern African trade relations emerged in mid-April when Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, suggested that Tanzania could restrict agricultural imports from South Africa. The move caught many observers off guard, especially given the historically cooperative trade relationship between the two nations

Africa must urgently adopt climate-resilient farming practices to counter increasing food insecurity exacerbated by climate change, say agricultural experts and policymakers.

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.

Nigeria has launched a transformative agricultural development initiative with the groundbreaking of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Kaduna and Cross River states. This marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to revolutionize its agricultural value chain, attract private sector investment, and create jobs across rural communities.

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture has been updated by the Department of Agriculture regarding South Africa’s progress in implementing the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. The department confirmed that South Africa has completed all internal legal and regulatory requirements, signaling the country’s readiness to commence trade under AfCFTA.