AGP Executive Report

Irrigation Investment in Mexico: Netafim opened its biggest manufacturing plant to date in Hermosillo, a 30,000-square-meter facility supplying drip irrigation for farmers across North and Central America and creating about 200 direct jobs. Livestock Biosecurity Shock: The New World screwworm is back in the U.S., with a second confirmed case in Texas (Zavala County) after the first near the Mexico border, triggering expanded disaster response, sterile-fly efforts, and tighter animal movement rules that could ripple into beef supply and prices. Regional Trade Pressure: Canada’s farmers are pushing back on Mercosur talks, warning that any deal could expand South American beef access and squeeze Canadian cattle producers. Bolivia Protest Disruption: Bolivia’s legislature passed a law allowing President Rodrigo Paz to deploy the military to clear roadblocks, after weeks of blockades that have disrupted food and medicine flows—an issue hitting the country’s agricultural breadbasket regions. Climate Risk for Brazil’s Cerrado: Indigenous communities in Brazil’s Cerrado are coordinating controlled burns with environmental agencies to reduce wildfire risk as El Niño-linked drought threatens the dry season.

Livestock Health Alert: The U.S. USDA confirmed New World screwworm in Texas for the first time in decades, with a second case found days later in Zavala County near the Mexico border—prompting quarantine zones, movement controls, and heightened surveillance as officials stress it’s an animal health issue, not a food-safety risk. Cross-Border Trade Impact: Canada moved to temporarily ban Texas livestock imports to prevent spread, while the outbreak is already reshaping regional cattle logistics and raising beef supply concerns. Food Prices Watch: FAO reported May food commodity prices were broadly stable, with cereal and wheat prices rising on weather and input-cost risks, while sugar and vegetable oils eased. Climate Risk for Farms: IICA warned that an extreme El Niño plus fertilizer pressures could hit yields and livestock productivity unevenly across Latin America and the Caribbean, with higher food-price volatility likely. Local Food Security: Venezuela’s agriculture ministry is pushing the Community Sowing Plan with communes to boost production of staple foods amid sanctions. Environment & Ecosystems: Argentina’s environmental prosecutors network renewed efforts to strengthen specialized justice and ecosystem protection.

Livestock Health Alert: The U.S. USDA confirmed a second New World screwworm case in a one-month-old calf in Zavala County, Texas—about 5.5 miles from the first detection—prompting tighter movement controls, expanded surveillance, and millions of sterile fly releases to stop spread. Cross-Border Spillover: The outbreak is part of a broader northward resurgence linked to cases across Panama, Central America, and Mexico, with ranchers bracing as herd levels are already low and beef prices high. Regional Response Pressure: Canada moved to temporarily ban Texas livestock entering the country, while Texas officials issued disaster measures and quarantine zones. Weather Risk for Farms: Mexico is monitoring Tropical Storm Amanda as it forms offshore, with forecasters warning that even a non-landfall track can still bring heavy rain and disruption for agriculture. Bolivia Food Supply Disruption: Clashes between police and protesters in Santa Cruz—Bolivia’s agricultural breadbasket—reignited road blockades that are already straining food and medicine access.

Livestock Health Alert: The U.S. USDA confirmed a second New World screwworm case in Texas, this time in a one-month-old calf in Zavala County, prompting tighter quarantine and movement controls as officials test nearby areas and urge ranchers and pet owners to inspect wounds daily. Regional Trade & Farm Protection: Japan’s ruling party urged the government to shield domestic farmers in upcoming Mercosur trade talks, warning of cheap beef and chicken inflows while pushing for expanded exports of Japanese farm products. Agri-Economy Update (Mexico): Baja California said its agriculture sector has topped 23 billion pesos (about $1.1B) in annual production value and supports 120,000 direct jobs, alongside a campaign to boost local consumption. Food Prices Watch: FAO reported world food prices slipped in May, with vegetable oils falling while cereals and sugar rose, keeping prices near multi-year highs. Humanitarian Food Support (Colombia–Cuba): Colombia sent about 100 tons of aid from Cartagena to Cuba, including non-perishable food, medicines, hospital supplies, and solar panels to help recovery after Hurricane Melissa. Bioeconomy Capacity Building: IICA and the Latin American Bioeconomy Network launched BioSinergia 2026 webinars to turn biological resources into productive, inclusive, and sustainable development projects across the region.

New World Screwworm Alert (Texas): USDA confirmed the first U.S. case in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Zavala County, triggering quarantines, an “infested zone,” and tighter warm-blooded animal movement rules; officials stress it’s not a food-safety issue but a production threat to the cattle industry. Animal Health Response (Border pressure): Texas expanded its disaster declaration and states like Florida moved to block imports from higher-risk areas while USDA ramps up containment and sterile-fly efforts. Milk Supply (U.S. dairy): Milk production rose for the 14th straight month, with April output up 2.7% year over year as cow numbers edged higher and milk per cow increased slightly. Pesticide Risk (Rio Grande Valley): A report links pesticide exposure to Parkinson’s disease risk, spotlighting farmworkers and nearby communities in Texas’ major ag region. Climate Resilience (Dominica): Dominica launched a US$26M climate resilience push to boost food security and disaster readiness in vulnerable communities. Regenerative Agriculture (Mexico): Grupo Bimbo said it reached over 500,000 hectares under regenerative practices by end-2025, expanding across key crops including wheat, corn, and sugar.

Livestock Health Emergency: The New World screwworm has been confirmed in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County near La Pryor, Texas—first U.S. case in decades—prompting a 20-km control zone, movement restrictions, and sterile-fly response as officials warn the pest could spread via animal transport. Market Impact: Cattle and feeder cattle futures jumped on the news, while ranchers fear higher beef prices if infestations widen. Regional Trade & Sustainability: China agreed to buy 50,000 tonnes of certified deforestation-free Brazilian beef by end-2027, signaling stronger demand for traceable, forest-friendly supply chains despite a reported 5%-10% premium. Food & Nutrition Policy (Venezuela): Venezuela shared progress with FAO in Rome on nutrition information systems, including adopting minimum dietary diversity methods to improve diet-quality tracking for women and children. Livestock Disease Prevention (Venezuela): Zulia extended its foot-and-mouth disease vaccination cycle through June 30 to support international disease-free certification. Energy & Agriculture Link (Venezuela-India): India’s energy officials said a technical team will visit Venezuela to explore new oil and refining collaboration—an indirect but important driver for ag inputs and rural development.

Livestock Biosecurity: The New World screwworm—whose larvae eat living tissue—was confirmed in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, south Texas, the first U.S. detection in decades, triggering quarantines, movement controls, expanded trapping/surveillance, and sterile-fly releases as officials say they can contain the case. Trade & Farm Policy: North American farm groups are urging renewal and strengthening of USMCA ahead of the July 1, 2026 review, arguing the pact underpins integrated agricultural markets and producer certainty. Climate & Food Security: Dominica launched a US$26M climate resilience project focused on food security, disaster preparedness, early warnings, and support for vulnerable communities and farmers. Agri-Industry & Markets: Reuters reports World Cup stadium turf is being grown and tested across Mexico and Canada to handle elite play and heat, highlighting how agriculture and seed/turf science are tied to major events. Regional Energy Links: India and Venezuela are deepening cooperation with agriculture and health also on the agenda alongside energy partnerships.

New World Screwworm in Texas: USDA confirmed a flesh-eating New World screwworm in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, South Texas—the first confirmed case in the U.S. since 1966—prompting quarantines, a 20-km infested zone, surveillance, and sterile fly releases, with officials warning ranchers to watch for suspicious wounds as the risk to cattle supply could push beef prices higher. El Niño Crop Stress: Reuters reports hot, dry weather is already disrupting planting across Asia, with a strong El Niño expected later in 2026; analysts warn it could tighten global food supplies and raise prices for staples like wheat and rice. EU Beef Rules Pressure Brazil: Brazil is scrambling to meet EU antibiotic-use requirements to keep access to the EU beef market after Sept. 3, 2026, as critics cite weak traceability and compliance gaps. Brazil–China Ag Links: Separate coverage highlights growing agricultural ties between China and Brazil, including certification moves aimed at market access. Caribbean Food Security & Preparedness: Regional updates flag El Niño-linked hunger and extreme-weather risks, urging preparedness across Caribbean food systems.

El Niño Watch: The UN and WMO say El Niño is rapidly developing, with about an 80% chance of forming by June-August and near 90% odds of persisting through at least November—raising risks of heat, drought, and heavy rain that can hit farm output across the Americas. Beef, Deforestation Rules: Chinese meat traders began buying Brazil’s “Beef on Track” certified beef, aimed at cutting illegal deforestation and other abuses in cattle supply chains; China is Brazil’s top beef buyer. Coffee Pressure in Brazil: Coffee prices slid as USDA’s forecast pointed to a record 2026/27 Brazil crop, adding to expectations of a larger global surplus. Livestock Biosecurity: USDA reported New World screwworm detected in Mexico near the U.S. border (Coahuila), prompting heightened surveillance and potential market jitters for cattle. Trade Deal Push: A CAFTA delegation heads to Washington to press for CUSMA/USMCA renewal, with nearly 160 ag groups urging the rules-based system be preserved. Aruba Food-Security Angle: Terra by Chef Jeremy Ford and Bucuti & Tara planted native trees in Aruba’s nature preserve, linking tourism and land restoration.

Climate Risk in Guatemala: In Quiché’s Dry Corridor, drought is tightening around Indigenous Maya communities like Xetzac, where farmers fear crop failure and hunger as El Niño nears and wells run dry. Agribusiness Transition: Venezuela’s National Assembly advanced the Coffee Bill, with early approval of key articles aimed at boosting sustainable production and protecting mountain ecosystems and soils. Agri-Logistics Investment: AD Ports Group agreed to buy Brazil’s agribulk terminal operator CLI for about $835m (AED 3.1b), targeting stronger sugar and grain export routes via Santos and Itaqui. Pest Control Upgrade: The USDA highlighted a rebuilt Texas lab facility focused on screwworms, ticks and other cattle pests, as the New World screwworm threat edges closer to the border. Trade Pressure: The U.S. proposed new forced-labour tariffs covering 60 economies, including Mexico and Guatemala, with duties proposed at 10%–12.5%. Cotton Outlook: ICAC expects major cotton producers, including China, the U.S. and Brazil, to cut acreage in 2026-27 as costs and weather squeeze profitability.

Climate Watch: The UN’s World Meteorological Organization says there’s an 80% chance El Niño forms between June and August (and near/above 90% it lasts to at least November), with climate change likely making droughts, heavy rains, and heatwaves hit harder—an early warning for Latin America’s farm calendars and water planning. Livestock Health: USDA reports a New World screwworm detection in Mexico’s Coahuila, just 25 miles from the U.S. border, raising alarm for cattle and goat producers as the pest spreads closer to Texas. Trade Pressure on Agribusiness: The U.S. proposes 25% tariffs on Brazil, citing issues including illegal deforestation and digital trade—another potential cost shock for exporters and input-dependent supply chains. Market Access for Central America: Avianca launches new nonstop flights between San Francisco and Guatemala City, boosting travel links that can support agritourism and regional commerce. Beef Tech Expansion: 701x, a rancher-funded GPS ear-tag agtech firm, says it’s expanding to Mexico and Brazil among other markets. Biosecurity & Exports: China recognizes all Brazil as foot-and-mouth disease-free, reopening opportunities for beef and pork shipments. Ports & Logistics: AD Ports Group agrees to buy Brazil’s CLI agribulk terminals (Santos and Itaqui), aiming to strengthen grain and sugar export logistics into Latin America.

El Niño Watch: The UN’s weather agency says there’s an 80% chance El Niño forms between June-August, with higher odds of persistence and a bigger risk of drought plus heavy rain—raising alarms for farm output across the region. Food Security Pressure: In Guatemala’s Dry Corridor, farmers in Quiché fear wells are drying and subsistence crops won’t survive, echoing the hunger crisis seen in 2023. Crop Risk Planning: India’s agriculture ministry is setting up crop weather watch and crisis groups for kharif crops amid below-normal monsoon forecasts, including seed reserves and higher fertilizer stock levels. Livestock Knowledge Sharing: A BRICS livestock dialogue urged shared know-how to tackle feed shortages, animal disease, and climate stress. Venezuela Input Costs: Venezuela installed a technical table to review agricultural product cost structures, aiming to reduce distortions and keep inputs arriving on time at fair prices. Dairy Leadership: Costa Rica’s Dos Pinos highlighted women producers as key drivers of productivity in the dairy sector. Caribbean Drought Readiness: Antigua and Barbuda called for regular, multi-stakeholder drought planning and better data collection to protect local food production.

Colombia Election & Rural Security: As Colombia heads toward a presidential runoff, voters are weighing social programs for the countryside against fears that armed groups are only “talking peace” while still terrorizing remote communities. Caribbean Food & Tourism: Rum tourism is shifting from a casual add-on to a major Caribbean growth engine, blending heritage, hospitality, education and retail experiences. Dairy Policy Push: Dominica’s IICA seminar spotlights agricultural MSMEs and food security through trade and accountability, while separate dairy coverage highlights efforts to expand local milk production and processing capacity. Caribbean Hot Sauce Pepper Shortage: Scotch bonnet peppers are getting harder to source due to extreme weather, disease and pests, threatening hot sauce supply and raising costs for Caribbean producers. Onion Price Support: India raised onion procurement prices by 24.4% to Rs 15.80/kg under its buffer stock scheme to protect farmers and stabilize retail prices. Plant Health Threat: A New World screwworm outbreak has been detected in Mexico near the U.S. border, raising alarm for cattle health and potential beef price impacts. Brazil–China Trade: Brazil’s foreign minister is set to meet Chinese officials in Beijing, with agricultural exports driving a large Brazil trade surplus. Coffee Market Watch: Coffee prices fell as Brazil’s harvest was expected to resume after weather delays, pointing to improving supply expectations.

Maize Export Restart (South Africa): Transnet’s Maydon Wharf Agribulk Terminal in Durban loaded its first maize export vessel since Dec 2023, shipping 40,000 tons to Vietnam as the country heads toward a potential record harvest. Climate & Wildlife Risk (Region-wide): A University of Florida review finds hurricanes can both help and harm wildlife—by killing animals, driving migrations, and spreading invasive species—highlighting growing management needs as storms intensify. Deforestation Watch (Brazil): MapBiomas monitoring reports Amazon deforestation fell to the lowest level since 2019, but overall destruction remains “breathtaking,” with the Cerrado still the hardest-hit biome. Food Security Funding (Jamaica): Jamaica says a FAO-backed US$50M resilience program for storm-hit smallholders and fishers will be fully implemented in September, with support for inputs, irrigation, and climate-smart tech. Pest & Biosecurity (Mexico/US): US officials flagged new world screwworm threats near the border and warned about lethal cattle pests spreading via shipments. Farm Safety (Venezuela): A Parika farmer in Essequibo shot a Venezuelan construction worker found on his property; police are investigating.

Fertilizer Shock & Organic Pivot: An AP report links Iran-war disruptions to fertilizer price spikes, pushing farmers in Senegal and beyond toward compost, manure and natural farming as chemical inputs get harder to afford. Food Sovereignty in Venezuela: Guárico’s peasant communities formally joined the 2026 Agrifood Plan, receiving inputs and fuel to expand corn planting and stabilize local food supply. Caribbean Crop Proof: Trinidad’s CARDI, with partners, showcased a successful black-eyed peas pilot—fast germination and harvest in about two months—aimed at boosting food security and school feeding. Mexico-Russia Trade Workaround: Mexico and Russia plan talks on alternative payment mechanisms to bypass SWIFT, with agricultural cooperation flagged as a potential priority. Rural Infrastructure in Mexico: Los Cabos is rolling out federal investment for parks, water systems and rural support, including cisterns and corrals for livestock producers. Environmental Defenders in Peru: A Lima meeting brings regional activists together to resist pollution and the criminalization of people defending water and territories. Agriculture & Energy Tension in Chile: A cross-border investigation details coal’s route from Colombia to Chile and its impacts on Indigenous rights and community health in Huasco. Beef Prices Pressure: US retail beef hits record levels as drought-driven herd losses tighten supply, keeping steak costs elevated.

Livestock Health Watch: Mexico is battling a New World screwworm outbreak that’s creeping toward the U.S. border, raising fears of fresh cattle losses and more pressure on already record-high beef prices. Trade & Inputs: India has temporarily exempted cotton imports from customs duties and related levies for five months to ease raw-material costs for its textile sector. Market Pulse (Cotton): Cotton futures closed mixed on May 30, with July down and December up, as traders digested export sales and shifting fund positions. Market Pulse (Corn & Soy): Corn futures slid on month-end positioning and crude oil weakness, while USDA export sales showed Mexico as a top buyer; soybeans also softened as export activity slowed. Biosecurity at the Border: U.S. officials intercepted a rare leafhopper species in a leafy-greens shipment from Mexico at Nogales, underscoring ongoing pest-risk screening. Policy & Governance: Saint Lucia warned livestock owners to secure animals and prevent roaming, citing safety risks to roads, crops, and people. Conservation & Land Use: Saskatchewan burrowing owls are returning for nesting, with agricultural fields and roadside ditches playing a key role in habitat availability.