AGP Executive Report

Global Food Prices: FAO reports June food prices edged lower, with cereal, sugar and dairy down, while vegetable oils rose—wheat fell on Black Sea supply gains and maize eased on expectations of ample South American supplies. Egypt’s Exports: Egypt shipped about 216,000 tons of food to nearly 200 markets in late June, led by citrus and grapes, while imports also rose to support domestic needs. Climate & Farming Risk: Ethiopia urged preparedness for the main rainy season as rainfall intensity is expected to increase, raising flood and landslide risks that can hit agriculture. West Africa Floods: Flooding disrupted logistics and some fruit supply chains in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, but mango production in Côte d’Ivoire and farm areas in Ghana were largely spared. Fertiliser Shock Watch: Kenya’s farmers face higher input costs as Gulf shipping disruptions threaten fertiliser supply through the Strait of Hormuz, even with subsidy assurances. Tech for Farmers: FAO launched CropSuit, a free tool to match crops to local soil and climate conditions to improve yields and smarter fertiliser use. Zimbabwe Tobacco: Zimbabwe’s tobacco output is set for a record harvest, supporting over 135,000 farmers, mostly smallholders. Nigeria Energy Access: Nigeria inaugurated 23 solar mini-grids under the Africa Minigrids Programme to power 50,000 people and support rural livelihoods.

Solar for farms: Nigeria has completed 23 solar mini-grid projects under the Africa Mini-Grids Programme, powering about 50,000 people and supporting agricultural value chains, schools and clinics. Women farmers go clean: Nigerian women farmers are cutting costly diesel use by adopting solar to reduce food losses and stabilize farm operations. Hunger warning: The UN World Food Programme says conflict and funding shortfalls have pushed northern Nigeria’s hunger to the worst levels in nearly a decade, with over 17m people facing crisis or worse. Export push for women: Lagos partners with Made in Africa Brands Ambassador to improve women exporters’ financing access and raise packaging and certification standards to reduce rejections. Inputs and productivity: Nigeria is distributing 1m hybrid cocoa seedlings to boost production, while efforts continue to strengthen agribusiness value chains. Nature-based climate deal: Amazon backs a major spekboom restoration project in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, buying large carbon credits and creating jobs.

Tobacco Sustainability Push: Zimbabwe growers at the ITGA Africa meeting say land crunch is making it hard to meet forestry rules, even as industry urges afforestation, cleaner curing, and climate-smart farming. Livestock Biosecurity: African Swine Fever is spreading in the region, with confirmed cases reported in Bacolod City and Surallah (South Cotabato), triggering transport curbs, testing, and condemnation of infected pigs. Agri-Finance for Jobs: Kenya launched NASIP 2026–2030, a KES 1.081tn (US$8.4bn) plan to modernize value chains, expand irrigation, raise incomes, and create 2m+ jobs. Dairy Income Shift: South Africa moves toward quality-based milk payments to boost earnings for dairy farmers producing higher-quality milk. Food Crisis Warning: WFP says northern Nigeria hunger has hit its worst in nearly a decade, with violence and funding cuts keeping farmers out of fields. Climate Adaptation on the Ground: West African communities are adjusting planting, soil care, and water management as rains become less predictable. Trade & Standards: South Africa and China signed an MoU to cut technical barriers and speed up trade, including agriculture.

Livestock Health Alert: In South Cotabato, Philippines, authorities report 85 backyard hog deaths in two weeks and are restricting pig and pork movement while collecting blood samples to identify the cause and guide biosecurity. Fertiliser & Food Security: Nigeria’s federal government is inspecting fertiliser production and blending facilities to boost local output, cut costs, and reduce import dependence. Coffee Revolution Training: Cross River State, Nigeria, trained 700+ smallholder farmers, youth groups and extension officers to scale coffee planting and rural livelihoods. Soy Demand Push: USSEC says Nigeria imported 62,000 tonnes of U.S. soybeans after a six-year gap, aiming to close the protein gap by working with poultry, aquaculture and livestock processors. Agribusiness Finance: Kenya’s Bank of Africa and Ganatra/JCB dealer signed a deal offering 90% financing over five years to help small contractors access heavy machinery. Debt & Recovery Watch: Ethiopia reached a preliminary deal to restructure a defaulted $1bn bond, a potential milestone for its debt relief process. Tourism & Heritage: Ghana’s Upper East region is launching a PEARL framework-linked initiative to remap northern slave routes to strengthen tourism and support reparation narratives.

South Africa’s GNU reshuffle: Cyril Ramaphosa named Willie Aucamp as agriculture minister, moving John Steenhuisen to deputy trade, while David Maynier takes forestry, fisheries and the environment—setting up a fresh start for farm-focused policy after the FMD fallout. AI push for farming and services: Ramaphosa urged faster AI and cloud adoption across Africa, framing it as a survival tool for public services and education. Zimbabwe tobacco growers under pressure: Lands Minister Anxious Masuka said depressed prices and sharply higher costs are squeezing about 135,000 growers, with farmers calling for sector action. Malawi sugar flood lawsuit: Villagers in Kanseche sued ABF/Illovo over embankments blamed for worsening Storm Ana flooding that killed seven and ruined farmland. Ghana MSMEs go digital: MTN Ghana partnered with the Ghana Enterprises Agency to launch an MSME Digital Gateway Platform and expand support for small businesses. Kenya agri-tech partnerships: Italian firms arrived in Kenya to cut post-harvest losses and modernise the agri-food value chain. El Niño food risk: Forecasts warn a strengthening El Niño could disrupt rainfall and threaten rice supplies, with knock-on effects for food prices. Nigeria-EU finance for agriculture and more: European Development Bank funding topped €500m for Nigeria, with agriculture among priority sectors.

Climate-smart irrigation in Zimbabwe: The long-idle Mzinyathini Irrigation Scheme in Umzingwane District is set to resume production in August after a rehabilitation programme reached 87%, adding drip irrigation, pivots, sprinklers and five solar-powered boreholes to boost water efficiency and food security. South Africa agri outlook: The SARB says South Africa’s primary sector rebounded in Q1 2026, with faster growth in field crops and horticulture supported by La Niña rainfall, but livestock output remains constrained by animal disease outbreaks including foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever. Nigeria security and food systems pressure: A new ORFA report estimates 79,323 people were killed and 34,773 civilians abducted in Nigeria’s terrorism-related violence from 2020–2025, challenging assumptions that Boko Haram and ISWAP are the main drivers. EU finance for Nigeria’s economy: European development financiers launched a fresh €20m Nigeria Country Window, with more funding expected for infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, renewables and small businesses. World Bank boosts Togo resilience: Two regional packages totalling $323m include Togo’s participation in projects expanding electricity access, jobs and community resilience, especially in northern regions. African swine fever alert: Over 250 pigs died in Gorkha after ASF spread across farms, with no treatment or vaccine available and prevention the only control.

African Swine Fever Controls: Four provinces in Western Visayas (Aklan, Antique, Guimaras and Capiz) temporarily banned the trading and transport of live hogs, pork and by-products after new ASF detections, with border checkpoints and veterinary quarantine steps underway. Coffee Push in Ethiopia: Ethiopia launched a national coffee strategy to more than double production and lift export earnings to $6bn by 2031, targeting higher yields through improved varieties, better agronomy, post-harvest upgrades and tissue-culture seedlings. Agri-Food Finance Summit in Kenya: Kenya’s FINAS 2026 summit spotlighted Africa’s $100bn farm financing gap, with the Agricultural Finance Corporation promoting a wholesale model that channels credit via SACCOs, cooperatives and off-takers. Climate Risk for Banks: Fitch warned African banks face rising climate-linked credit vulnerability, with transition risks now and physical risks growing later as droughts, floods and heat stress hit borrowers and collateral. Food Systems Recognition: The World Food Prize Foundation handed major awards at DialogueNEXT in Nairobi, including honours for AGRA’s smallholder support work. South Africa Jobs Watch: Stats SA reported formal, non-agricultural job losses of 80,000 in Q1, with community services and trade hit hardest. El Niño Signals: Kenya Meteorological Department flagged El Niño formation and “super El Niño” odds, raising concerns for East Africa rainfall impacts and crop planning.

Port Disruptions Hit Fruit Exports: Congestion and wind disruptions at South Africa’s Port of Cape Town forced Western Cape table grape exporters to reroute produce via Eastern Cape ports, cutting Cape Town’s export share from 90% to 76% and raising costs for pome and stone fruit growers. China Demand Boosts SA Apples/Pears: South African apple and pear imports into China jumped, with an 83% rise in apple volumes (Jan–May) after pop-up promotions in Guangzhou and Foshan. Poultry Genetics Investment: Cobb-Vantress and Irvine’s Group opened a Cobb East Africa grandparent facility in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region, aiming to strengthen poultry production and food security across East Africa. Mechanisation for Youth: Nigeria’s TracTrac launched “Young People in Mechanisation” to train 18–35-year-olds and expand mechanisation leadership, building on deployments across multiple states. El Niño Food Risk: Forecasts warn a strengthening El Niño could disrupt rainfall and hit food supplies, with rice singled out as especially vulnerable. Women at the Centre of AfCFTA: UNDP and AfCFTA partners urged removing barriers blocking women traders and entrepreneurs, warning the $3.4trn single market goal is at risk without action. ASF Warning in Livestock: Nepal reported over 250 pig deaths from African Swine Fever, underscoring the need for tighter biosecurity.

India–Ethiopia Partnership: Ethiopia is set to deepen cooperation with India across agriculture, healthcare, AI, and governance after Modi’s 2025 visit, with Indian healthcare projects expected to be operational before end-2026. Livestock Exports: Ethiopia earned $117m from livestock product exports in the first 11 months of its fiscal year, as it modernises liquid nitrogen breeding support to lift productivity. Agri-Quality Boost: Ethiopia launched a five-year quality management project with South Korea to strengthen standards, testing, certification and accreditation for agro-competitiveness and exports. Cameroon Agro-Processing: A new maize, potato and fruit processing plant in western Cameroon opened this week, targeting import substitution, jobs, and AfCFTA-linked markets. SACU Crossroads: Namibia is urged to use SACU’s regional clout to stay competitive as global powers push bilateral deals. South Africa Migration Tension: Ahead of June 30, South Africa faces heightened unrest tied to anti-immigration ultimatums, with police and communities on high alert—an issue that also threatens food supply chains and farm-linked transport. Palm Oil Sustainability: RSPO urged African governments and investors to keep sustainability central as palm oil demand rises.

Execution Gap in Agriculture: A new reflection on Africa’s agriculture ambition argues the real problem isn’t policy ideas, but delivery—fertiliser delays, weak extension, and credit access failures that leave farmers and SMEs stuck navigating disconnected systems. Medicinal Plants in South Africa: South Africa’s medicinal plant and traditional medicine economy is highlighted as a major, under-discussed industry—supporting livelihoods across harvesting, cultivation, transport, retail and healthcare. Food Security and School Feeding (Ghana): Ghana’s school feeding grant rises from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00, but the commentary says the bigger fix is delivery reform, pushing for central kitchens and public-private partnerships to meet nutrition and safety needs. Taraba Agri-Investment Boost (Nigeria): EBID signs $268m for Taraba—10,000 hectares of irrigated rice plus milling, a 50MW solar plant, and an industrial park to drive jobs and value addition. Zimbabwe Clean Power Push: Plans advance for a $400m, 500MW floating solar project on Lake Kariba, targeting financial close by October. Climate Pressure on Food: Reports warn humid heatwaves are intensifying globally, with serious implications for agriculture and human survival in vulnerable regions. El Niño Watch: South Africa is again flagged for potential food price and harvest impacts as El Niño returns. Traditional Medicine Nigeria-China: A Nigeria-China partnership aims to standardise and commercialise indigenous herbal medicine using TCM research frameworks. Women Entrepreneurship Spotlight: South Africa’s Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards spotlight founders and emerging leaders, including ventures tied to health and sustainable products. Land Restoration (Zimbabwe): A community nursery in Shurugwi grows seedlings to fight desertification and support farmers with fodder during dry periods.

ASF Biosecurity Moves: Cebu (Philippines) tightened borders with a 45-day restriction on pass-through livestock vehicles from ASF-affected areas, adding checkpoints, port inspections, and mandatory permits plus negative test results to protect its P20bn hog industry. Local Swine Protection: Negros Oriental also revived its ASF task force and fully banned live pigs, pork products, by-products, and related transport from restricted zones to curb spread. Maize Boost in Nigeria: The African Agricultural Technology Foundation stepped up maize support in Kano by sensitising farmers on TELA hybrid maize and recommended agronomic practices to cut losses and raise yields. Cassava Value Addition Push: Nigeria’s cassava sector got a World Cassava Day reminder: the future is processing and industrial products, not just more production, with calls for stronger links across farming, science, engineering and markets. Climate Risk Warning: Zimbabwe received another El Niño warning with high odds through late 2026, urging early preparation to protect crops, livestock and livelihoods. Weather Data for Farmers: Nigeria’s NiMet urged more investment in weather observation systems across Africa so AI forecasting can reliably support agriculture and food security. Poultry Exports: Kazi Farms shipped 10,440 parent hatching eggs to Nigeria, backing growth in poultry supply chains. Food System Shock: Flooding submerged 97% of Ghana’s Weta Irrigation Scheme rice fields, leaving thousands of farmers facing losses estimated at GH¢59.9m and demanding urgent government help.

African Swine Fever Watch: Cebu in the Philippines has activated ASF task forces and tightened border controls to protect its P20B hog industry after outbreaks elsewhere in the Visayas, with intensified monitoring at 13 border points and a ban on imported pork and pork products. Climate Mobility & Food Security: Angola’s environment ministry says climate-driven droughts, floods, soil degradation and water scarcity are already forcing human movement, calling for better coordination, scientific data, climate finance and integrating mobility into public policy. El Niño Food Import Plan: Zimbabwe’s government is preparing to reopen food imports as El Niño threats rise, while also pushing climate-proofing and drought-resilience funding for agriculture. Cassava Value Addition Push: Nigeria marks World Cassava Day with calls to move beyond production into processing and industrialisation, highlighting cassava’s shift toward starches, functional ingredients, nutrition products and renewable energy. Agriculture Under Insecurity: In Nigeria’s Zamfara, armed gangs killed 17 farmers in a village attack, adding pressure to already fragile rainy-season farming and food security. Invasive Pest Alert: Cuba’s Matanzas has confirmed the African giant snail, warning it can spread disease and damage more than 120 crops, including cassava and bananas.

Coffee export earnings: Ethiopia says it generated about $3bn from coffee exports in the 2025/26 fiscal year and is rolling out a five-year national coffee development package to boost value and revenue. Disease risk to livestock: In the Philippines’ Negros Island Region (reported in the feed), officials warned that African swine fever and other pests can hit farmers’ incomes and spill into wider community insecurity—pushing for stricter control measures. Climate and food volatility: Coverage highlights how El Niño can disrupt rainfall and heat patterns, raising risks for planting, harvests and food supply chains across regions. Hybrid rice push: Guinea’s PM says the country will scale hybrid rice using Chinese technology to raise yields and move from importer to regional supplier. Livestock feed strategy: Botswana launched a National Fodder Production Strategy aiming to add 1 million tonnes of fodder by 2030 to close its feed deficit and strengthen drought resilience. Water security for farming cities: Kenya’s Nairobi gets a boost via a partnership to replenish 76,000m³ of water annually for long-term supply and watershed health. Digital start-ups: Tanzania’s NMB and UNCDF signed an agreement to support technology-driven start-ups with regulatory help, market access and mentorship.

Animal Health & Trade Controls: South Africa’s Agra appoints Simonis Storm Securities as its new NSX sponsor, while in the Philippines Negros Oriental bans entry of hogs and pork from ASF-affected areas to protect backyard raisers and consumers. Climate Pressure on Food Systems: The UN’s weather agency warns Europe’s record heatwave is already hitting agriculture and labour productivity, with drought and wildfire risks rising. Beekeeping & Pollination: South Africa’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and SABIO will host the 2026 BEE National Conference (30 Jun–1 Jul) in Sun City, focusing on pollination services and honey value-chain growth. Agriculture, Peace & Youth Violence: Negros Occidental urges tighter coordination to tackle threats like ASF and the red-striped soft scale insect, warning that farm income shocks can spill into social unrest. Innovation for Resource Constraints: Kenyan students unveil a waterless mineral processing approach, spotlighting how “less water” solutions can help extractives where water is scarce. Policy & Inclusion: Zimbabwe opens its National Disability Expo, with President Mnangagwa calling disability inclusion a pillar of national development.

ASF Border Controls: Philippines’ Negros Oriental bans entry of live hogs, pork and related products from ASF-affected areas, reactivating its ASF task force and adding quarantine checks at ports to protect backyard raisers and consumers. River Pollution Enforcement: UK agricultural pollution crackdown is yielding weak results, with only nine farms prosecuted despite 10,000+ breaches—raising fresh calls for tougher action. Electricity Costs for Farmers: South Africa’s Agri SA welcomes Nersa’s draft inquiry into Eskom and fixed charges, warning tariff reforms are hitting irrigation-heavy farms hardest and pushing up production costs. Cocoa Value Addition: Cameroon’s Chocolat Rouge starts production at its cocoa processing plant, with first bars expected soon, as the country seeks more processed cocoa exports and benefits from China’s zero-tariff access. Coffee Branding: Uganda launches its first national coffee brand at World of Coffee Brussels, aiming to boost quality systems and expand Europe market entry. Climate Risk to Food: S&P flags El Niño exposure across several emerging markets, including South Africa, warning of rainfall swings that could disrupt water, power, rice and corn. Fisheries Voices: Uganda’s Lovin Kobusingye highlights how women in Africa’s fisheries are often sidelined as coastal development reshapes landing sites and livelihoods.

African Swine Fever Lockdown: Capiz in the Philippines bans entry of live pigs, pork and related shipments from Iloilo and Negros Island to protect its swine industry as ASF cases spread. Cassava Bread Push: Nigeria’s cassava flour substitution drive gets a boost as AATF trains 500 cassava processors to supply bakeries and cut wheat imports. Contract Farming for Poultry: IFC backs expansion of a poultry contract-farming model, aiming to pull more smallholders into formal supply chains. Climate Risk for Food: Experts warn El Niño and heat are raising the odds of higher food prices and crop stress across Africa. Minerals and Security: Commentators question whether competition for critical minerals is worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s Bokkos area, calling for a serious inquiry. AfCFTA Trade Finance: Citibank urges West African leaders to deepen regional trade under AfCFTA, spotlighting cross-border payments and trade finance. Export Readiness Training: Oyo State agribusinesses get export-readiness training on standards, certification and market access. ECA Development Focus: ECA reaffirms priorities like AfCFTA, regional value chains and digital transformation to accelerate Agenda 2063. Namibia Uranium Update: A Chinese takeover at Namibia’s Rossing mine is credited with benefits reaching beyond the mine.