Global Scans · Food & Agriculture · Weekly Summary

• [New] In 2026, Australia's agriculture will be shaped by how quickly biologicals, AI-supported agronomy and advanced breeding can be deployed where they matter most: in the paddock, supporting growers to grow more with less. Rural Business
• [New] Looking to 2035, key indicators will be production volumes of premium products (plant-based proteins, functional beverages), stringent food safety standards, and sustainability targets for water and waste. IndexBox Inc.
• [New] Plant-based meat has a compound annual growth rate of 15.56% between 2025 and 2035. FoodNavigator.com
• [New] The outlook for irrigation system technologies through 2026 is clear: innovations in overhead and Netafim drip, smart temporary setups, precise pressure tanks, and scalable 405 irrigation models will define the next era of modern agriculture. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, adoption of modern irrigation technology could reduce water usage in agriculture by up to 40%. Farmonaut
• [New] 2025 cash receipts for all commodities on U.S. farms is now estimated at $529 billion, which is expected to decline slightly to $514.7 billion in 2026. Agweek
• [New] Lenders expect farm incomes to weaken further in early 2026. RFD-TV
• [New] USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance payments could begin this weekend as producers face tight margins, shifting acreage expectations, cattle herd contraction, and growing pressure for a stronger farm safety net. RFD-TV
• [New] Agricultural lenders surveyed in summer 2025 expected only 52% of U.S. farm borrowers to be profitable in 2024, with profitability projected to fall below 50% in 2026. National Corn Growers Association
• [New] Agriculture accounts for roughly 70% of global freshwater use, making it the largest opportunity for conservation. Waterless Co. Inc.
• [New] The World Food Programme is sounding the alarm that its life-saving emergency food and nutrition assistance in Somalia is at imminent risk. United Nations
• [New] If 7% of farmers exited this year, as suggested in NCGA's survey, the U.S. could lose over 131,000 farms in a single year-dropping total farms to 1.7 million. National Corn Growers Association
• [New] By 2026, over 60% of farms are projected to adopt advanced hydraulic sprayers for increased efficiency. Farmonaut
• [New] Farm balance sheets across NSW remain in strong shape, positioning producers to confidently buffer future financial risks, including drought conditions. Mirage News
• [New] As regional governments invest in nutrition science and microbiome research, Asia Pacific is expected to become a global hub for personalized, healthy-aging innovations. Persistence Market Research
• [New] In developing countries, the expansion of global value chain participation of agriculture and food sectors could support transformation from a subsistence-oriented and farm-centered system to a commercialized, productive and off-farm centered one. MarketsAndTrade
• [New] Grocery prices will increase by 1.7% in 2026, which would be below the 20-year average of 2.6% and would mean some relief, in terms of affordability, for many food and beverage items. fmi.org
• [New] USDA forecasts point to relatively modest and more stable grocery inflation in 2026, but significant uncertainty remains due to ongoing pressures from labour, transportation, energy costs, weather risks, tariffs, and the evolving role of technology in the food supply chain. fmi.org
• [New] Incidence Across Asia, Africa, and Americas: Magnaporthe oryzae affects rice crops in over 85 countries worldwide, posing a critical threat to staple food systems. Farmonaut
• [New] Agriculture in 2026 will not only be smarter and more productive, but also accountable, secure, and globally connected. Farmonaut
• [New] Adulteration and fraud in seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides are major risks in global agriculture. Farmonaut

Last updated: 03 March 2026