Ghana Strengthens Research Cooperation on Disease-Resistant Cashew Varieties
Ghana’s Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) is seeking stronger cooperation with the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) to expand research and innovation for key tree crops, particularly cashew and shea. According to GBC Ghana, a TCDA delegation visited CRIG at Tafo in the Eastern Region to review the institute’s research activities and identify areas for […]
Cambodia and Team Europe Strengthen Cooperation on Sustainable Cashew Value Chains
Cambodia and Team Europe reaffirmed their commitment to developing the country’s cashew sector during a joint high-level mission to Stung Treng province on August 17-18, 2026. Led by Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina and EU Ambassador Igor Driesmans, the delegation visited Handcrafted Cashew Nuts Stung Treng and project sites under the EU-German Cambodia […]
UK Extends Inspection Certificate Waiver for Imports of Organic Food From the EU, EEA and Switzerland
The United Kingdon has updated its import certification requirements for organic products. A certificate of inspection will not be required to import organic food from the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland from February 1, 2027, contrary to previous indications that the requirement would come into effect on that date. In other news, the […]
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 […]
European Commission Circulates Draft Proposal to Decrease MLs for Sulfur Dioxide/Sulfites in Dried Fruits
The European Commission has circulated a draft legal proposal concerning the conditions of use and specifications for sulfur dioxide/sulfites. The proposal would significantly reduce the maximum levels (MLs) for sulfites in several dried fruit categories. In fact, several of the proposed MLs are lower than the levels previously assessed by the European Food Safety Authority […]
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 […]