After 25 years of negotiation, the European Union and Mercosur have signed their landmark trade agreement — opening prospective new markets for South American agriculture while raising concerns among European beef, poultry and sugar producers.
In Mozambique, severe flooding has submerged tens of thousands of hectares of crops, leaving smallholders facing lost harvests and the cost of planting again. Canadian canola growers have been offered a route back into the Chinese market, while a parasitic plant is driving some Indian farmers out of mustard production.
Meanwhile, Greek farmers have moved from roadblocks into negotiations with the government as delayed payments and high operating costs continue to squeeze cash flow.
Plus, the Global Market Report examines a record US corn crop — and why extraordinary physical production is creating another problem for farmers as stocks build and prices remain under pressure.
Presented by Simon Morris.
This week's stories:
South America – EU-Mercosur agreement finally signed
After 25 years of negotiation, the European Union and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay have signed the EU–Mercosur agreement. For South American cattle, poultry, sugar and ethanol producers, it offers prospective access to a valuable European market. European farmers see the other side of the equation: potentially greater competition from producers operating under different cost and regulatory structures. The agreement is signed, but its farm-gate winners and losers are far from settled.
Africa – Mozambique floods submerge staple crops
Flooding in Mozambique has submerged rice, maize and other crops at a critical stage of the growing season. For smallholders, the damage represents not only lost food but seed, fertiliser, labour and expected income already invested in the crop. The immediate question is whether water will recede soon enough for farmers to replant — and whether they can afford to do so.
North America – China offers Canadian canola a route back
Canadian canola growers have a new date in their marketing calculations. A preliminary agreement with China is expected to cut the combined tariff on Canadian canola seed from about 85% to approximately 15% from 1 March.
Asia – Hidden parasite drives Indian growers out of mustard
Orobanche, or broomrape, attacks mustard underground by attaching itself to the crop’s roots. By the time farmers can see the parasite, much of the damage may already have occurred.
Europe – Greek farmers move from roadblocks to negotiations
More than a month of Greek farm protests has begun to give way to negotiations. The government has offered measures on electricity and fuel, but farmers continue to face a more immediate cash-flow problem.
Global Market Report – Record US corn crop weighs on returns
USDA has confirmed an extraordinary 2025 US corn crop of about 17 billion bushels. Record yields and increased harvested area have pushed projected ending stocks above 2.2 billion bushels.
Contributors
Simon Morris – presenter
María Fernández – South America correspondent
Samuel Njoroge – Africa correspondent
Daniel Mercer – North America correspondent
Ananya Rao – Asia correspondent
Lukas Fischer – Europe correspondent
Useful links
EU-Mercosur – full agreement and ratification process (European Commission)
Mozambique – flooding and agricultural impact (Fews Net)
Canada-China canola agreement (Canadian Government)
India – Orobanche threatens mustard production (Indian Express)
Greece – government response to farm protests (Greek Government)
United States – record corn crop (USDA pdf)
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