USA requests formal negotiations on GMO corn
National Service of Agro-Food Health and Quality confirmed another three positive cases of avian flu in domestic birds, in the provinces of Córdoba and Neuquén, reaching a total of 39 cases so far. (Senasa)
Bioceres plans to increase production of HB4 GMO wheat in Argentina and Brazil, said Federico Trucco, president of the company. HB4 wheat yields can exceed by up to 40% that of conventional wheat under dry conditions. (Bioceres)
Losses could reach US$ 20 billion in this season. According to the Rosario Grain Exchange, this is the worst drought in 60 years. Soybean harvest should reach only 31.2 million tonnes, below the initial forecast of 50 million. In the case of corn, 38.6 million tonnes should be harvested, compared to 55.2 million estimated six months ago. (CREA; Rosario Grain Exchange)
Telecom Argentina announces further investments in the agricultural sector to improve internet connectivity in rural areas of Argentina. “If there are no towers in rural areas, it is because the return on investments is uncertain,” said business development manager at Telecom Argentina, Juan Pablo Cosentino. Connectivity can save the agricultural sector approximately US$ 133 million annually. (IICA; FADA; Telecom Argentina)
Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Fávaro, said that negotiations to resume beef exports to China are in their final stages. Government plans to review the health protocol that determines the automatic suspension of shipments when any case of the disease is detected. “In 2021, when the embargo exceeded 100 days, Brazil stopped earning approximately US$ 2.53 billion from exports to China. This year, if we have 15 to 20 days of suspension, it is possible to recover throughout the year”, said the minister. (Ministry of Agriculture)
CMPC developed a new eucalyptus hybrid, adapted to the conditions of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with characteristics to produce a higher quality pulp. Company produces approximately 2 million tonnes/year of pulp in Brazil. (CMPC)
After the historic approval for the cultivation and sale of transgenic wheat in Brazil, Embrapa should expand research with biotechnology in the country, according to researcher Jorge Lemainski. In addition to testing wheat cultivars in the Cerrado, Embrapa also intends to plant the GMO cultivar in areas of the State of Minas Gerais to observe its adaptation. (Embrapa)
Beef exports in February (in natura and processed) reached US$ 695.2 million and 152.28 thousand tonnes, representing a 29% decrease in foreign exchange and a 16% drop in volume compared to February 2022. The decrease only partially reflects the suspension of exports to China, results of which may be more apparent in March. (Abrafrigo)
Mexico authorizes imports from 34 Brazilian beef meat packing sites, eight of which belong to Marfrig and six to Minerva, among other companies. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Landless Workers Movement – MST started to vacate Suzano’s farms in the State of Bahia after a judicial decision of repossession. MST occupied three Suzano eucalyptus farms at the beginning of last week, claiming that the company failed to comply with an agreement that had existed for more than 10 years for the assignment of land to 650 families from the entity. Suzano denies noncompliance with the agreement. 1,700 farming families participated in the action. (MST; Suzano)
Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Fávaro, said that the government is negotiating a supplement of US$ 200.15 million for credit equalization for the 2022/23 Harvest Plan, that will end on June 30th. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Congressman Pedro Lupion is the new president of the Parliamentary Front for Agriculture for the 2023-2024 period. Lupion will lead 300 federal deputies and 44 senators. (FPA)
Foundation for Agrarian Innovation claims that 13% of its research projects were damaged by fires in the country. “We are very concerned about some of the innovation projects that have been affected, with the resulting loss of jobs and efforts involved…”, said Francine Brossard, FIA’s Executive Director. (FIA)
New genotypes of rice resistant to sogata, or rice delphacid, (Tagosodes orizicolus), an insect that transmits the white leaf virus, were identified. This virus has no cure and can reduce the yields of rice farms by up to 100%. Three types of resistance were identified: antixenosis, that is, greater difficulty in laying eggs; antibiosis, that directly reduces the number of insects; and the reduction of plant mortality to the virus. According to the researchers, the combination of the three genotypes should lead to the development of new cultivars. (Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice; International Center for Tropical Agriculture)
In 2022, Colombian honey production reached approximately 7,000 tonnes. There was an 8% increase in the installation of apiaries across the country. (Fedeabejas)
María del Pilar Ruíz resigns as general manager of the Agricultural Institute of Colombia after just two months in command. (ICA)
USA requests formal negotiations on GMO corn. US Trade Representative requested technical consultations with the Mexican government under the terms of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), that governs trade in North America. Authorities now have 30 days to discuss and resolve the impasse. USA government said it “will consider all options, including taking formal steps to enforce US rights under the USMCA”. This could include tariffs on Mexican products. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that the country hopes that, through technical consultations, a result will be reached that respects the sovereignty of each country and benefits all interested parties. Consultations are the first step in the process that could lead to the US filing a formal dispute against Mexico. (USTR)
Agri-food trade balance reached the highest surplus in 28 years, in 2022. Products with the highest export value were beer, tequila, mezcal, avocado and tomato. (Department of Agriculture)
Approximately 7,000 family farmers are protesting in Asunción, alleging that the government did not comply with agreements and demanding the distribution of farming land. According to the farmers, the agreement signed in March 2022, with the aim of guaranteeing greater support for family farming, regularizing rural settlements, and reducing debts, among other topics, is not being fulfilled. (National Intersectoral Coordination)
Eight biofactories will be buit in the Piura region with the objective of improving soil quality and nutrition for banana cultivation. The bioinputs produced should use the beneficial fungi collected from the region. Peruvian banana exports dropped by 20% in volume and 10% in price during 2022, mainly because of the higher volume offered by Ecuador. (Programa de Frutas Perú)
Drought continues in the Puno region, affecting more than 16,000 hectares. Most impacted crops are potato, quinoa, barley, and oats. (Ministry of Agriculture)
50% to 60% of agricultural production in the Santa Eulália valley was affected by the heavy rains and landslides that have occurred in recent weeks. More than 7,000 meters of irrigation canals were blocked. (Santa Eulália Hydraulic Subsector Users Commission)
Blueberry farming created 137,752 direct jobs during the 2022/23 season, representing an increase of 14.26%, or 17,199 jobs, compared to the previous season. Approximately 250,000 indirect jobs were created. (Association of Blueberry Farmers of Peru)
70 deaths of chickens and wild birds because of avian flu were confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture. Deaths occurred in a farm located in San Gregorio Polanco. Government isolated the contaminated area within a radius of 5 km, in compliance with health safety protocols. First cases of avian flu were confirmed on February 15th. (MGAP)
Mandatory vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease must take place between March 15th and April 30th, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. During the period, events where there is a concentration of animals, such as auctions at fairs or exhibitions, are not authorized. (MGAP)
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