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US Allocates $226 Million to Morocco for Food for Progress 2026 to Enhance Agriculture

US Allocates $226 Million to Morocco for Food for Progress 2026 to Enhance Agriculture

The United States has selected Morocco as a priority country for its 'Food for Progress' program in 2026, which aims to boost agricultural productivity and trade in emerging economies. According to the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the initiative will provide up to $226 million in new cooperative agreements for fiscal year 2026. These funds will support five-year projects with individual budgets ranging from $28 million to $35 million. The program's objectives are to improve agricultural productivity and expand trade in agricultural products in developing markets. Morocco, along with Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, has been chosen for this initiative. The program operates by purchasing bulk agricultural commodities from US producers, selling them in emerging economies, and using the revenue to fund development projects.
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US Department of Agriculture Selects Morocco for $226 Million Food for Progress Program

US Department of Agriculture Selects Morocco for $226 Million Food for Progress Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected Morocco as one of the priority countries for its 'Food for Progress' program in 2026. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity and trade in emerging economies. The program is set to award up to $226 million in new cooperative agreements for the fiscal year 2026. These funds will support five-year projects with budgets typically ranging from $28 million to $35 million. Alongside Morocco, other countries selected include Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The program operates through a trade-linked development model, purchasing bulk agricultural commodities from U.S. farmers and selling them in emerging markets to fund development projects.
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Already under financial pressure, Midwest soybean farmers are squeezed further by tariffs, Iran war

Already under financial pressure, Midwest soybean farmers are squeezed further by tariffs, Iran war

Midwest soybean farmers are facing an array of compounding issues
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Oil Tankers Navigate Strait of Hormuz Amid US-Iran Ceasefire, Easing Global Energy Tensions

Oil Tankers Navigate Strait of Hormuz Amid US-Iran Ceasefire, Easing Global Energy Tensions

Three supertankers carrying oil have successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz amid a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. This development comes after Iran's blockade of the strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, which had significantly disrupted energy supplies and driven up oil prices. The tankers, including the Liberia-flagged VLCC Serifos and China-flagged VLCCs Cospearl Lake and He Rong Hai, bypassed Iran's Larak Island and are en route to destinations in Malaysia and China. The ceasefire has allowed hundreds of tankers, previously stuck in the Gulf, to begin exiting the area, although many remain waiting for clearance.
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China's exports set to lose momentum as Iran war undercuts AI-driven boom: Reuters poll

China's exports set to lose momentum as Iran war undercuts AI-driven boom: Reuters poll

BEIJING, April 13 (Reuters) - China's export engine likely slowed in March as buyers chasing an AI-fuelled future confront the hard reality of war https://www.reuters.com/world/iran/ in the Middle East, which has sparked an energy shock and revived market anxiety of past Gulf conflicts.
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Super El Niño Event Threatens Global Food Costs Amid Climate and Conflict

Super El Niño Event Threatens Global Food Costs Amid Climate and Conflict

An unusually powerful El Niño event is anticipated later this year, potentially exacerbating global food security concerns. This development comes as the ongoing conflict in Iran continues to strain the supply of crucial fertilizer products. Climate scientists have warned of a likely planet-warming El Niño, with U.S. meteorologists estimating a one-in-three chance of a strong weather event forming between October and December. European climate models suggest an even higher probability of a very strong or 'super El Niño.' This event is characterized by sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific rising at least 2 degrees Celsius above normal. Chris Jaccarini, a senior analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, highlighted the dual pressures on food prices from climate extremes and a fossil fuel-dependent food system.
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EU and US near critical minerals deal to combat Chinese control, Bloomberg News reports

EU and US near critical minerals deal to combat Chinese control, Bloomberg News reports

April 10 (Reuters) - The European Union and Washington are closing in on an agreement to coordinate on producing and securing critical minerals, Bloomberg News reported on Friday. 
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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Warns of New World Screwworm Threat Near Border

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Warns of New World Screwworm Threat Near Border

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has issued a warning to ranchers following the detection of the New World screwworm in Nuevo León, Mexico, just 90 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. This pest poses a significant threat to Texas's livestock industry and food supply. The USDA has responded, but the spread has not been contained, prompting Miller to urge Texas producers to remain vigilant. He emphasized the importance of early detection to prevent a potential crisis that could devastate herds and livelihoods. Texas is collaborating with federal, state, and local partners to address the threat.
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NCGA Surveys Reveal Rising Concerns Over Fertilizer Costs and Availability for U.S. Corn Farmers

NCGA Surveys Reveal Rising Concerns Over Fertilizer Costs and Availability for U.S. Corn Farmers

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has released survey results indicating growing concerns among U.S. corn farmers regarding fertilizer affordability and access. The surveys, conducted in late March, reveal that while many farmers secured fertilizer supplies for the 2026 crop, anxiety about pricing and availability is escalating, particularly for the 2027 crop year. The conflict in the Middle East, specifically the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has intensified market stress, affecting fertilizer prices and availability. Retail fertilizer prices have risen, and affordability has deteriorated due to lower corn prices. Farmers are increasingly worried about whether fertilizer will be available when needed, as global shipping disruptions and curtailed production tighten supplies.
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Energy Markets Remain Volatile Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Energy Markets Remain Volatile Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Despite a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, energy markets continue to experience volatility. Oil prices remain high, and supply disruptions persist, affecting global trade flows. The risk of closure around the Strait of Hormuz is impacting Middle Eastern producers, while European and African crude benchmarks hit record levels. Energy leaders are set to meet to address the crisis, focusing on both traditional and clean energy solutions.
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Kemcore to Build Mining Chemical Plants in Africa to Reduce Import Dependency

Kemcore to Build Mining Chemical Plants in Africa to Reduce Import Dependency

Kemcore to Build Mining Chemical Plants in Africa to Reduce Import Dependency
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Gap between rich and poor nations is growing even wider, UN report says

Gap between rich and poor nations is growing even wider, UN report says

The gap between rich and poor nations is growing even wider as actions agreed to by many countries last year, including overhauling the major global financial institutions, remain unfulfilled promises