USA - farm assistance applications

The department of agriculture this week started accepting applications from farmers affected by low commodity prices for economic aid under a $10bn (€9.1bn) farm assistance programme approved by Congress in December.

Ivory Coast - more cocoa woes

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More bad news for chocolate lovers ahead of Easter, as Ivory Coast’s mid-crop cocoa production is forecast to drop around 40% due to a prolonged drought.

China - US export registrations

China renewed export registrations for US pork and poultry plants, while those for hundreds of beef facilities in America remain listed as “expired” on the country’s customs website.

New Zealand - India FTA incoming

New Zealand’s prime minister said his country aimed to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with India in the next 60 days, a move which has to potential to provide a boost to the country’s agricultural exports.