Author: Suchetana Choudhuri

Industry builds on $2.2 billion exports in 2025, supported by fleet expansion and global outreach Türkiye is targeting $2.5 billion in seafood exports by 2026, signaling an ambitious next phase for one of its fastest-growing agri-food sectors. The goal builds on strong momentum in 2025, when exports surpassed $2.2 billion, marking an 11 per cent year-on-year increase and reinforcing the country’s position as a rising force in global seafood trade. Industry leaders point to early 2026 performance and improving market access as key drivers behind the outlook. The reopening of the Chinese market in late 2025 is expected to significantly…

Strategic push aligns biodiversity advantages with green economy goals and international collaboration Lai Châu Province is moving to accelerate its transition toward a green agricultural economy, convening policymakers, scientists, and businesses at a two-day conference focused on commodity agriculture and medicinal plant development. The event, scheduled for April 23–24, signals a broader strategic push to transform the north-western region’s fragmented production systems into scalable, high-value supply chains aligned with sustainability goals. Set against the backdrop of rising demand for environmentally responsible agriculture, the conference is designed as both a policy forum and a marketplace connector. It brings together 250–300 in-person…

Partnership prioritizes legal frameworks, technology transfer, and integrated data systems to protect marine ecosystems Viet Nam is stepping up its collaboration with Germany’s development agency GIZ to address marine plastic pollution and accelerate the transition toward a sustainable blue economy, signaling a more integrated approach to ocean governance and economic development. The renewed partnership, outlined during high-level discussions between the Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI) and GIZ, sets priorities for 2026 and a longer-term framework through 2030. At the center of the cooperation is a dual focus on strengthening regulatory systems and deploying practical, scalable solutions to…

Bilateral meetings highlight shift toward resilience and low-emission production systems Viet Nam is accelerating its role as a regional agricultural powerbroker, advancing strategic cooperation with the Philippines and Japan through a series of high-level bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC 38) in Brunei. The discussions reflect a coordinated effort to strengthen agricultural trade, enhance sustainability, and build more resilient food systems across the Asia-Pacific region. In talks with the Philippines, both sides placed rice trade at the center of their agenda, signaling a potential shift toward long-term export agreements…

Proposed hub at Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park targets regional and global research networks Pinnacle Food Group Limited is positioning itself at the forefront of Asia’s rapidly expanding synthetic biology sector, announcing a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the development of an Open Yeast Platform hub in Hong Kong. The initiative, led through its subsidiary Pinnacle Food AgTech HK Limited (PFHK), reflects a broader strategy to integrate bio-engineering capabilities with scalable commercial applications, particularly in precision fermentation and high-value biological production. The proposed hub, to be located within the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, is designed…

Feed additive trial delivers significant environmental gains alongside improved livestock productivity Minerva Foods, South America’s leading beef exporter, and Rumin8, an Australian climate technology company, have announced the results of a collaborative study demonstrating significant reductions in methane emissions from cattle alongside measurable improvements in feed efficiency. The research was conducted in partnership with the University of São Paulo’s Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ/USP) and evaluated the impact of Rumin8’s feed additive on enteric methane emissions and productive performance in Nellore cattle under conditions simulating commercial Brazilian feedlot operations. Over the 120-day study period, cattle receiving the feed…

Combination of chemical and behavioral solutions reflects shift toward smarter pest control strategies Bird-X, Inc today announced the expansion of its liquid bird deterrent portfolio with the launch of two new products—Avian Control Repellent and InvisiDye UV Marker—marking a strategic move to address growing demand for adaptable and effective bird control solutions across commercial, industrial, agricultural, and landscaping environments. The introduction comes at a time when pest management operators are increasingly seeking targeted, scalable solutions capable of addressing complex bird-related challenges in diverse settings. With these additions, Bird-X aims to strengthen its position in the professional pest control segment by…

Japan’s push for steeper cuts falls short at fisheries meet Japan and eight other economies have agreed to reduce their combined saury fishing quota by 5 per cent for 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to address declining fish stocks in the North Pacific. The agreement, reached under the North Pacific Fisheries Commission at a recent meeting in Osaka, will lower the total allowable catch from the current 202,500 tonnes, covering both international waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of member countries. The nine-member grouping includes China, Taiwan, South Korea and Russia, among others. While the decision marks a step…

Agri transformation drive positions country as continental leader in food and export crops Ethiopia has emerged as Africa’s leading wheat producer and the largest coffee producer and exporter, reflecting the impact of sustained agricultural reforms and targeted investments, according to senior government officials. Speaking at the 20th anniversary event of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Agriculture State Minister Eyasu Elias said the country’s progress is the result of a deliberate transformation agenda anchored in policy coordination, political commitment and long-term investment in farmers. The expansion of climate-resilient irrigated wheat production systems has played a central role in…

H5N1 detection in Eastern Region raises concerns over livestock health and supply chains Ivory Coast has reported a new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), underscoring renewed risks to poultry production and regional livestock health systems. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, the outbreak was detected at a poultry farm in the eastern district of Koun-Fao, near the border with Ghana. The virus has resulted in the death of approximately 95,000 birds, highlighting the severity of the infection and its rapid impact on commercial flocks. Authorities indicated that the outbreak forms part of a broader global pattern…