South Africa - Hail damages mango crop

17.11.2015 554 views
Over the weekend there was a large hail storm in Hoedspruit in the Limpopo area of South Africa. This is the largest mango production region in the country, "The full extent of the loss to the mango crop in that region has not been established, but initial indications are that it could be around 20%," explains Derek Donkin CEO of Subtrop. Citrus is also grown in Hoedspruit, but the extent of the damage is not yet known. On Saturday and Sunday there were good rains in Nelspruit and Tzaneen areas, "This brought respite from the hot dry weather that we had been having for the preceding two weeks. More rain, however, is needed," according to Craig McBain, CEO from major avocado producer Halls. He said that the avocado production is further north in the Tzaneen area and was not affected by the hail. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com
05.07.2026

USA - USDA Unveils $500 Million SPUR Program to Protect Independent Beef Processors Amid Historic Cattle Shortage

Seeking to stabilize a meat supply chain stressed by historic shortages and high prices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new $500 million initiative aimed at protecting independent, mid-sized beef processors from being squeezed out of the market by dominant conglomerates.

05.07.2026

India - Cuddalore Collector urges farmers to pay premium for crop insurance

The Cuddalore district administration has asked the farmers to pay premium for paddy crop under the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme.

05.07.2026

Canada - Drainage maintenance in spotlight as $15M in crop insurance payouts expected this year — before recent flooding

Manitoba crop insurance payouts will likely exceed $15 million this year — before factoring in recent flooding in the Interlake and Parkland regions. Total costs won’t be fully known until year end.

05.07.2026

Spain - Extremadura and Agroseguro see reinforcing cherry insurance and its coverage as a priority

The Junta de Extremadura and Agroseguro have agreed that it is a priority to strengthen cherry insurance to optimize its coverage and better adjust it to the real needs of the producing sector.

05.07.2026

Philippines - PCIC urges growers to insure hogs before ASF hits Antique

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has encouraged swine growers here to avail of free insurance even if Antique is still without African swine fever (ASF) cases.

05.07.2026

USA - Oregon governor requests federal disaster designation for pear crop losses

Governor Tina Kotek signed a letter Thursday to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture requesting a disaster designation for pear growers in Hood River and Wasco counties, as well as contiguous counties affected by severe crop losses in 2025.

02.07.2026

India - Vijayanagara farmers await crop insurance claims

Lakhs of farmers across Vijayanagara district are staring at an uncertain future, with the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) allegedly failing to provide compensation for crop losses suffered during the previous kharif and rabi seasons.

02.07.2026

USA - Summer Pests and Frost Impact Klamath Basin Crops

Over the last week, IREC staff have observed several pests in winter and spring grain crops.  Most wheat and barley fields at IREC have populations of cereal leaf beetle, aphids, and armyworms.