News digest: Agri-food markets and production
- 13/07/2021
- Posted by: Gaetan Dermien
- Category: Africa, Avocados, Bananas, Caribbean, News, Pacific, Peas, Pineapples, Potatoes
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Global Increasing airfreight demand A report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) notes that air cargo demand is increasing by 12% a year. North American Airlines, and airlines in all other regions (Middle East, Africa) except for Latin America, contributed to this growth. The capacity is almost 10% below pre-Covid-19 levels due to the ongoing grounding of passenger aircraft. But freighters are continuing to be used in order to compensate the lack of available belly capacity. The supply chain… +Desert Locust situation
- 05/05/2020
- Posted by: Gaetan Dermien
- Category: Africa, News
As we all focus on COVID-19, it’s important not to lose sight of other critical issues facing the sector. Of particular concern is the locust crisis in Africa; the forecast is worrying and FAO warns that the impact on food security in the next few months could be devastating. According to the FAO Locust Watch update, the situation in the Horn of Africa remains extremely serious. In Kenya, a new generation of locusts is developing. More eggs will hatch and… +East Africa: COVID-19 hampers fight against locusts as threat grows
- 17/04/2020
- Posted by: Gaetan Dermien
- Category: Africa, News
A predicted second wave of desert locusts in East Africa will cause major food security problems for countries already struggling against the coronavirus lockdown – and COVID-19 is also directly disrupting the battle against the locusts. According to Al Jazeera (9 April), flight bans imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19 have significantly delayed deliveries of pesticides in countries across the region. Vincent Ssempijja, Uganda’s Agriculture Minister, reported that Uganda has deployed more than 2000 military troops to carry out… +