Economy The National Bureau of Statistics says China’s GDP grew 5 percent year-over-year in Q1 2026. Other sources contend that the Iran war has helped pull the economy out of deflation and that it is now in the middle stages of a multi-year correction. The data for the agriculture sector show cattle and sheep production in decline, with fewer sows potentially impacting future hog production.
Agricultural Forecast The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued its China Agricultural Outlook: 2026-2035 with a forecast of greater self-sufficiency. By 2035, the Ministry sees China’s grain output up by 5.3 percent as grain imports fall by 18 percent. Soybean imports are slated to drop by 26.2 percent. For 2026, the repo...
Key Takeaways: Grain futures pulled back sharply in overnight trade Friday on rumors that Ukraine proposed two possible options for ensuring civilian vessel safety in the Black Sea. Both Russia and Ukraine have recently targeted civilian vessels carrying oil and grain in the Sea of Azov...
Just when we thought it was safe to step outside and enjoy some certainty in the world of international commerce, the Trump Administration announced on Thursday afternoon a barrage of tariffs on 60 countries based on its recent Section 301 investigations. Section 301 permits the executive branc...
Key Takeaways: The latest UN data shows solid progress reducing global hunger and food insecurity. The geography of hunger-affected people has shifted substantially, however, and Africa is now the most affected region. To understand why hunger patterns have shifted and what policy option...
Key Takeaways: Global and U.S. cotton demand has struggled since the post-COVID-19 pandemic surge, which has left cotton prices drifting lower in the U.S. The war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, along with their impact on global energy markets, could boost cotton demand...
