Drought caused by El Niño is threatening the food security of Southern Africa: record-low rainfall and harvests.

As of July 9, 2025, since the beginning of the year, 4592 Ukrainian farms participating in the state program "Affordable Loans 5-7-9" have been financed with almost UAH 29.2 billion. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy. The largest amount was received by enterprises in the Kiev region - UAH 2.7 billion (for 404 agricultural enterprises), Odessa region - UAH 2.5 billion (391), Chernihiv region - UAH 2.4 billion.

In 2025, experts warned about the slowdown in agricultural growth due to systemic issues. The government provides preferential financing and reforms education to support the industry. Agribusiness faces high financing costs but sees potential in production development and digital technologies.

In Kazakhstan, the prices for sunflower increased by 2,000 tenge and reached 240,000 tenge per ton. Prices for flax remained unchanged.

The weather is favorable for the harvest, but measures to combat diseases and pests are needed.

Indian authorities are discussing purchasing 8-9 million tons of wheat from Russia to reduce prices in the domestic market. The decision will be made cautiously. India's reserves are 20% below the 10-year average. The government has imposed restrictions on wheat volumes to stabilize prices.

Harvest time is approaching in the fields. Manual processing of grain on 400 hectares without specialized machinery is the key to productivity, weather permitting.

In the village of Kolos, they grow wheat of the "Extra" variety and barley "Pamyat Chepeleva," recognized as a star of the fields. Peas of the "Meteor" variety will be harvested in 5-6 weeks.

Russia is restoring its own sugar beet seed breeding system. Already 20% of the seeds are of domestic origin. The company "UnionSeedBeet" is developing genetics and creating resistant hybrids, harvesting up to 8 tons of sugar per hectare. The production of national seeds is growing and becoming more accessible, and government support is promoting scientific research.

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Research in agriculture includes optimizing plant nutrition management using microscopic particles of rocks. This will help improve soil quality, fertilizer efficiency, add micronutrients, and reduce dependency on chemicals.

The study will examine the impact of the powder on crops and soil, as well as the content of micronutrients. This is important due to soil degradation and nutrient deficiencies.

In the USA, the harvesting of winter wheat has accelerated due to dry weather. 37% of the fields have been threshed, which is 18% more than a week ago.

Spring wheat crops are developing faster but are in worse condition than last year. Corn crops are in good condition: 73%, which is 1% higher than a week ago.

Export companies have set new prices for Russian wheat, which now amount to 14500 rubles per ton ($184).

Analysts note price fluctuations for the new crop from July to October 2024, with a minimum of 14750 rubles per ton ($167) and a maximum of 17900 rubles per ton ($186). The unstable financial situation could affect prices.

An accredited center has received a sample of wheat for analysis based on various criteria. Laboratory tests are being conducted to determine the grain quality, with established standards and limitations. The assessment of the 2025 harvest is being carried out in the Rostov region and the Republic of Kalmykia. State monitoring will be free of charge until October 10, 2025. The Federal State Budgetary Institution is preparing for the harvest and monitoring activities.

Harvesting has started in the Kuban region. Farmers have already harvested more than 35,000 hectares of grain, with plans to harvest 1.7 million hectares of winter crops. 40,000 machines, including 8,000 combines, are involved in the work.

The region annually produces more than 10% of the grain crop in Russia. In 2024, 13.8 million tons were harvested.

Forecasts of low sugar production levels in Cuba due to the economic crisis have caused difficulties for rum producers. Resumption of work is expected at only one of the 25 plants, and production volume will be significantly lower than the 2019 level. The decline began after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released initial estimates of the soybean crop: only 5 states have not reached 60% in the "good" to "excellent" category. Iowa and Wisconsin are at 18% and 16% respectively. In Illinois, 48% of soybeans are in excellent condition, while in Iowa it's 63%. Iowa's weather conditions are favorable for soybean growth following May precipitation. Cold and dry weather in May slowed down crop development. An increase in temperature is expected in early June, which could improve crop prospects.