China Expands Funding Tools to Strengthen Food Security and Rural Modernization

China has unveiled a plan to bolster funding for rural revitalization, aiming by 2030 to establish a more sustainable and efficient investment system that combines fiscal support, credit, insurance, bonds and private capital to strengthen food security and modernize rural areas, as reported by Reuters. The plan gives agriculture and rural areas priority in budget allocations, […]

European Commission Approves €285 Million Italian State Aid Scheme Amid Higher Fuel and Fertilizer Prices

The European Commission has approved a €285 million Italian State aid scheme to support agricultural, fishing and aquaculture companies facing higher fuel and fertilizer prices linked to the Middle East crisis. According to the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted by the Commission […]

France Earmarks Over €1 Billion to Help Farmers Recover From Record Heatwaves

France has announced more than €1 billion ($1.16 billion) in aid for farmers after this summer’s record heatwaves and droughts devastated crops, pastures and water supplies, as reported by Reuters. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard described the package as “a massive effort given the current budgetary context,” noting that around €520 million will be disbursed as rapid […]

EU Plant Protection Products Update

A new study by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) examines the potential economic impact of reducing maximum residue levels (MRLs) to the limit of quantification (LOQ) for 18 particularly hazardous pesticides that are not approved in the EU. The substances are used on 235 commodities exported to the EU from 86 countries. Depending […]

Update on Timing of Increase EU Nickel ML in Pecans

As noted previously, the European Commission has agreed internally to raise the maximum level (ML) for nickel in pecans from 3.5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. Unfortunately, formalization of this change is taking longer than expected. According to FRUCOM, this topic could potentially be discussed at the Standing Committee meeting in November, but for the time […]

Türkiye’s TMO Raises Purchase Prices for 2026/27 Hazelnut Season

In August, the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) announced purchase prices of 255.00 TL/kg for Giresun-quality and 250.00 TL/kg for Levant-quality hazelnuts for the 2026/27 season, based on a 50% sound kernel yield. TMO will pay an additional 5.10 TL/kg for each yield point above 50% for Giresun quality and 5.00 TL/kg for Levant quality, with purchases by […]

APEC Customs Authorities Push AI, Paperless Trade and Electronic Food Certification

Economies within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum are accelerating the use of artificial intelligence, digital documents and data-driven customs systems to reduce border delays while strengthening regulatory oversight. At the APEC Customs-Business Dialogue in August, officials and businesses discussed expanding paperless trade, electronic certification and automated customs procedures. For the food trade, discussions included […]

EU Proposal on Trade Liberalization With Armenia Moves Forward

On September 2, 2026, the Council agreed to introduce temporary trade-liberalization measures for Armenian products to support Armenia’s economy following trade restrictions recently imposed by Russia. Under this proposal, Armenian products that would be admitted for import into the EU exempted from ad valorem import duties include almonds (08021190, 08021290); hazelnuts (08022100, 08022200); walnuts (080231000, 08023200); pistachios […]