Keywords: AGRICULTURE


Morocco launches probe into rice imports amid pressure on farmers

Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has opened a safeguard investigation into rising rice imports after a formal complaint from two domestic producers. The inquiry, which began on April 13, covers both white and brown rice and comes at a sensitive moment for the agricultural sector as farmers......

Honey labeling rules strengthened across Europe from june

Starting in June, new labeling rules for honey products will come into force across the European Union, aiming to improve transparency and protect consumers from misleading practices. The updated regulation requires producers to clearly indicate the origin of honey blends, listing each country of harvest......

France lowers avian influenza risk level from high to moderate

Authorities in France have decided to lower the national risk level for avian influenza from “high” to “moderate,” reflecting an improvement in the overall health situation among poultry farms and wild bird populations. The revised classification, which comes into effect this......

Eu corn area hits historic low as iran war drives costs higher

European Union maize planting is expected to fall to around 7.9 million hectares in the 2026 to 2027 season, marking its lowest level since the start of the century as rising input costs linked to the conflict in Iran weigh on farmers during spring sowing. The decline reflects several years of shrinking......

Morocco rose oil harvest set for record output after heavy rains

Morocco’s rose oil producers are preparing for a record harvest as favorable weather conditions boost agricultural output across key producing regions. Strong rainfall and snowfall during the winter have improved soil moisture and water reserves, creating optimal conditions for rose cultivation.......

MIT study finds seeds detect rain sound and speed germination

Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found that rice seeds can respond to the sound of rainfall, accelerating their germination by up to 40 percent. The study, published on April 22, 2026 in Scientific Reports, provides direct evidence that seeds and young plant structures can......

Morocco cereal harvest set to reach 90 million quintals

Morocco’s cereal production for the 2025 to 2026 agricultural season is expected to approach 90 million quintals, marking a strong recovery after several years of drought. The announcement came from Ahmed El Bouari during a high-level conference held in Meknès, as part of the Salon international......

Morocco and France renew agricultural partnership with new joint initiatives

Morocco and France have relaunched their agricultural cooperation during a high-level meeting held on April 21 in Meknès, on the sidelines of the 18th International Agriculture Show in Morocco. The session brought together Ahmed El Bouari and Annie Genevard, alongside institutional, scientific,......

Fertilizer shortages deepen across Africa and Asia after Hormuz disruption

Global agriculture is facing mounting pressure as fertilizer shortages spread across Africa and South Asia following weeks of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Although Iran announced a temporary reopening of the key maritime route on April 17 under a short ceasefire, supply chains remain strained.......