Author: Suchetana Choudhuri
China’s top frozen hotpot ingredient maker, Anjoy Foods, is heating up its global ambitions. The Fujian-based company is set to raise up to $336 million through a Hong Kong listing, aiming to expand into fast-growing markets like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Europe. Backed by Goldman Sachs and CICC, Anjoy plans to float 39.99 million shares on July 4, with proceeds boosting production, branding, and M&A in overseas markets. The company already dominates 6.2 per cent of China’s frozen food sector and sees Southeast Asia’s 14.4 per cent CAGR in hotpot dining as fertile ground. “This is our moment,” said board secretary…
In a major step toward aligning with global safety standards, the Kenyan government has banned the use of 77 pesticide products after identifying harmful active ingredients that pose risks to human health, livestock, crops, and the environment. Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirmed that the decision follows a scientific review conducted by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB). The assessment evaluated 430 pesticide formulations currently in use across the country. “Based on scientific findings and stakeholder input, we’ve identified active ingredients in certain products that present unacceptable risks,” Kagwe stated. Beyond the immediate withdrawal, the government has…
AgroSpheres, a leader in biotechnology-driven crop protection, has partnered with Wilbur-Ellis to launch FUN-THYME, a broad-spectrum biofungicide based on thyme oil and encapsulated using AgroSpheres’ proprietary AgriCell platform. This marks the debut of the first commercial product built on AgriCell and represents a major leap forward in sustainable pest management. Designed for both conventional and organic farming systems, FUN-THYME targets a range of fungal diseases affecting high-value crops like almonds, grapes, berries, tomatoes, apples, and cherries. The product is already approved in 11 U.S. states, including Florida, Michigan, and Washington, with California registration pending. The $33 billion U.S. fungicide market…
Dutch biological inputs giant Koppert is set to invest $ 200 million to establish two new manufacturing plants in Brazil by 2030, strengthening its foothold in tropical agriculture and addressing the rising pest and disease pressure. The investment aligns with Koppert’s strong focus on research and development (R&D), particularly in biological crop protection for tropical environments. According to Gustavo Herrmann, Koppert’s Commercial Director, the new plants—expected to be operational within two to three years—will ramp up the company’s high-tech production capabilities. One facility will specialise in bacteria, while the other will produce fungi-based solutions, both tailored to growing market needs.…
India’s farmlands are undergoing a quiet revolution—powered by tech, backed by policy, and driven by purpose. With agriculture employing 45 per cent of the workforce and contributing 18 per cent to GDP, the rise of agritech could unlock a $95 billion GDP boost through smarter yields, lower costs, and climate resilience. From drone-powered soil checks to AI-driven advisories, platforms like AgriStack and eNAM are turning farming into a precision, data-led industry. Over $2.6 billion in startup funding since FY22 signals that agritech isn’t just innovation—it’s India’s next growth engine. With the right investments and inclusive digital tools, India can lead…
India is poised to transform its vast coastline into a seaweed-powered blue economy, with the potential to scale a Rs 10,000 crore industry by 2030. Despite having the capacity to produce 9.7 million tonnes of seaweed annually, India currently harvests just 34,000 tonnes, hindered by fragmented policies, weak infrastructure, and poor market linkages. Startups, global corporations, and fisher communities alike are recognising seaweed’s value—from climate-smart agriculture and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals and bioplastics. Lakshadweep’s high-yield pilots and calls for state-specific policies, buy-back systems, and women-led cooperatives highlight a path forward. With the right incentives, legal clarity, and community-driven models, India can…
As the global tomato industry faces the challenge of the highly infectious Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), Bayer is leading the charge in developing innovative, long-term solutions to protect crops and ensure profitability for growers. In an exclusive interview, Javier Quintero, Global Lead for Tomato R&D at Bayer’s Crop Science division, shares insights into the company’s groundbreaking work on multi-stacked resistance an advanced strategy designed to outsmart the virus’s rapid mutation rate.Quintero discusses the limitations of first-generation resistant varieties and explains the science behind gene stacking. He also provides details on the results from recent high-pressure virus trials, showcasing…
Côte d’Ivoire halts new permits for initial rubber processing amid oversupply concerns, urging private investment instead in tire manufacturing, molded rubber products, and bioenergy sectors. Officials say current facilities can handle the country’s entire rubber production. Côte d’Ivoire, is aiming to diversify its value-added rubber product offerings amid overcapacity in primary processing. The country’s Rubber and Oil Palm Council has announced it will no longer issue permits for new first-stage rubber processing plants or expand existing ones until further notice. The decision, announced on June 4, is intended to address the imbalance between industrial capacity and raw material supply. The…
Algeria has set an ambitious target to boost its annual date export revenues to $250 million as part of a new national strategy to strengthen the sector. The plan aims to expand Algeria’s export footprint from the current 57 countries to 150, positioning its date industry more prominently in global markets. Key elements of the strategy include improving packaging standards, enhancing cold chain logistics, and curbing smuggling, which has long undermined formal trade. By addressing these structural challenges, the government hopes to unlock the full export potential of Algerian dates—especially the prized Deglet Nour variety—and significantly increase foreign exchange earnings…
Egypt is set to launch a $573 million project aimed at producing phosphoric acid for fertilizer use, with the first phase targeting an annual output of 250,000 tons. Commercial production is expected to begin in 2028. The initiative is designed to reduce the country’s reliance on imports and strengthen Egypt’s position in the global fertilizer market. Egypt is ramping up efforts to strengthen its fertilizer sector with a $573 million investment in a phosphoric acid production facility, slated to begin construction in 2026 in the Abu Tartour region of New Valley Governorate. The project, part of the Abu Tartour for…