Agribook Agriculture Weekly: First rains in 8 years for Northern Cape, info from Agricultural Minister Thokosa Didiza plus more local and international agri-news you may have missed. (Issue 5.04)

• Fresh Plaza reported on the Global Strawberry market.
• In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) published a manifesto outlining the potential of industrial hemp to contribute to a greener and more sustainable European economy. Read the “Hemp’s Sustainability Highlighted by European Industrial Hemp Association Manifesto“.
• Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo discusses the international situation and the effect of the pandemic on supply in South African value chains.
• In the UK, as is the case with other First World countries, farmers necessarily are turning to locals to harvest crops. See “British farmers turn to homegrown force to bring in the harvest“.
• It is estimated that billions of dollars worth of food is going to waste in the US as farmers are faced with massive surpluses in production due to disruptions to the supply chain. Read the Farmer’s Weekly article “Relief aid for US farmers to mitigate massive losses“.

Further reference:

• Biosecurity is ALWAYS important, but particularly so times of a pandemic.
• See the “Berries and exotic fruit” page for blueberry and strawberry information.
• “Wine & wine grapes” includes a look at wine exports.
• Find the Agribook pages on industrial hemp and cannabis for information on two crops that have generated much debate and hold much promise.
• Value chains are looked at across all the livestock, agronomy, horticulture and forestry & industrial crops pages.