AGP Executive Report

ASF Pressure on Pork Imports: The Philippines will lift its blanket ban and allow pork imports from Spanish regions not affected by African swine fever, a regionalisation move aimed at keeping supply steady after Spain’s first ASF cases in decades. Spain-Linked Market Shock: The ripple effects are already being felt across Europe’s meat chain, with Danish Crown warning that ASF outbreaks in Spain and wider supply pressure are weighing on earnings. Plant Health Strategy: Ireland has just unveiled its second Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy (2026–2030), flagging how pests and trade travel can spread risk fast. Citrus Trade Shift: South Africa has overtaken Spain as the world’s top citrus exporter, exporting 2.9M tons in 2025 versus Spain’s 2.7M. Almería Migrant Amnesty: In Spain’s greenhouse heartland, an amnesty is renewing hopes for better legal status and working conditions for undocumented farm workers. Bioenergy Investment: The EIF backed Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners with €200M to scale biomethane and advanced bioenergy, including projects in Spain.

Fuel Relief for Farmers and Drivers: Diesel in Spain has slipped below €1.70 a litre for the first time since March, averaging about €1.685 after another near-2% weekly drop—while petrol edges up to €1.547, continuing a mild upward streak. The move follows Spain’s earlier emergency fuel tax cuts and VAT reduction aimed at easing pressure on transport and agriculture. Rural Spain’s Next Bet: In Cuenca, the tiny village of Olmeda de la Cuesta is auctioning cheap building plots (from roughly €200 to €1,300) to lure new residents and slow depopulation. Tech for the Field: A major drone-services market push is underway globally, with rapid growth forecasts—another sign that monitoring and inspection tools are moving from pilots to practical farm use. Food and Community: Talent’s Artisans & Growers Evening Markets return Friday with free entry, local growers, and live music—small-scale, but very real support for local supply chains.

Agri-tech & connectivity: A new report says the global private 5G market could surge from about $6.8bn in 2026 to $312.2bn by 2035, with agriculture listed among key application areas. Soil & farm intelligence: Another study highlights how AI could speed up soil science and help farmers plan for climate adaptation. EU livestock feed: EU compound feed output is forecast to dip slightly in 2026 to 152m tonnes, with Spain expected to rise for cattle feed while some neighbours fall. Pollinators: Eurostat data show EU beehives hit a record 9.4m in 2023, but Cyprus declined and Spain fell over 2020–2023. Water & waste: Europe’s push to restore rivers continues, with record dam removals reported, while elsewhere produced-water pollution remains a flashpoint. Spain angle: South Africa overtook Spain as the top citrus exporter by volume in 2025, adding pressure on Spanish growers as climate challenges bite.

Pollinator Win for Spain: Mallorca researchers behind the Asian hornet eradication effort have just taken the Golden Bee Award, spotlighting how coordinated science plus beekeepers and public services can protect local biodiversity. Seed-Saving Milestone: The Svalbard Global Seed Vault was honoured as an “insurance policy for humanity,” with Spanish olive varieties among the stored crop diversity. Spain Food & Farm Signals: Murcia’s Mediterranean coast is under closer watch for potentially toxic microalgae, though officials say no fish toxins have been detected so far. Renewables in the pipeline: Trafigura signed a 10-year hybrid wind-solar PPA in Spain for 434MW, a reminder that power deals are still moving even as costs and policy shift. Bees in the EU: Eurostat data for World Bee Day shows Greece ranks 3rd in farm beehives, while Spain saw a decline.

Murcia Coast Watch: Spain’s Region of Murcia is monitoring the Mediterranean for potentially toxic microalgae after researchers detected species linked to health risks, though officials stress no toxins have been found in fish and there’s no immediate public-health danger. Invasive Plant Response: Portugal’s Algarve is launching a coordinated, cross-border push with 16 municipalities (and partners across Portugal, Spain, and France) to tackle invasive pampas grass, aiming to protect ecosystems and tourism. Heat & Work Pressure: UK climate advisers are pushing for rules that could force employers to pause work during extreme heat—an issue that will resonate across Europe as summers intensify. Trade & Ag Links: Kazakhstan says it wants to deepen agricultural cooperation with Spain, including grains, oilseeds, processed foods, and a large meat project. Local Fire Prevention: Near Madrid, a town used a herd of 300 goats for controlled grazing to clear vegetation and reduce wildfire risk.

Kazakhstan–Spain Agri Talks: Kazakhstan says agricultural exports to Spain doubled last year and wants to expand further—grains, oilseeds, processed foods, feed and livestock—while discussing joint projects like a €132m, 20,000-head Angus meat complex with Spanish partners. EU Pesticide Pressure: The EU is failing to cut pesticide use, with fresh moves to loosen controls drawing pushback from campaign groups. Fertilizer Fuel Crunch: Farmers warn the fertilizer and fuel shock is turning into a food-security risk; Spain’s ASAJA is calling for faster, stronger EU action as gas-linked fertilizer costs spike. Spain Fruit Watch: Cherry season 2026 is mixed: early varieties in Aragon and Extremadura took hits from May rain/hail (cracking and hail damage), while late fruit holds up and export market talks—especially China—continue. Energy for Farming: Enagás has launched a call to build Spain’s hydrogen backbone and CO₂ logistics around its gas infrastructure, signaling more industrial support for the green transition.

Weather Whiplash: Europe is swinging from Arctic cold to near-35°C heat in days, with frost and storms already hitting crops and forcing growers to scramble—Spain’s risk is clear: unstable seasons mean more damage, not just more extremes. Table Grapes Under Pressure: In South Africa’s Western Cape, table grape producers are pleading for urgent government disaster relief after floods, strong winds and storm damage left vineyards flooded, netting collapsed and access roads washed away. Fertilizer Squeeze: The EU is looking to boost “natural” fertilizer inputs as fertilizer stocks tighten and costs rise after Middle East shipping disruption, but farmers warn long-term plans won’t cover today’s bills. Spain Cherry Reality Check: Spain’s 2026 cherry outlook is mixed: early varieties are taking a hit from May rain and hail (cracking in parts of Aragon and Extremadura), while late fruit holds up better. Cold-Chain Boost: A new push for refrigerated container storage is emerging to help food and agriculture businesses handle temperature-sensitive demand more flexibly.

Immigration Pressure on Food Supply Chains: U.S. Rep. Raúl Ruiz is pushing for a federal oversight probe into “indiscriminate” ICE sweeps in California’s Coachella Valley, saying families can’t find loved ones and businesses lose workers overnight. Agri-Food Trade Spotlight: SIAL Shanghai opened May 18 with 5,000+ exhibitors and a heavy focus on global food trends—Spain among the featured suppliers. Citrus Under Strain: South Africa’s citrus industry is taking a hit after floods damaged orchards in the Eastern and Western Cape, with early estimates pointing to up to 12% crop impact just as exports face higher shipping costs. Livestock & Fertilizer Decarbonisation: PepsiCo and Fertiberia are moving toward green-hydrogen ammonia fertilizer to cut emissions in European potato and corn fields. Climate & Pests Watch: A new study flags that warming can boost pests more than their natural enemies in some cases, using long-term monitoring from Andalusia and California. Renewables on Farms: Intergia is testing floating PV over pig manure lagoons to curb ammonia emissions while generating on-site power.

Third-Sector Data Leap: Grupo neoCK has launched SDDI, Spain’s first “data space” for the Third Sector, already linking nearly 300 organizations and aiming to close a big digital gap—where many groups invest under €1,000 a year in tech—by enabling ethical, secure data sharing for AI and real digital transformation. Renewables With Local Cash: In Álava, Iberdrola’s Labraza wind project is moving ahead via Aixeindar crowdlending (“Gure Haizea”), offering residents a 7% annual return and special local energy rates, with info sessions starting May 19. Farm Emissions Tech: Intergia is testing floating solar panels over pig manure lagoons to cut ammonia emissions while generating electricity for self-consumption, running 2024–2027 with EU NextGenerationEU support. Biodiversity vs Renewables: A Swiss study compares France, Italy and Spain, finding Spain and France have stronger biodiversity integration frameworks than Italy, where cumulative impact assessment still lags. Weather Pressure: Europe is swinging from Arctic chill to extreme heat, with frost and storms already disrupting outdoor work.

UK-EU Rejoin Debate: Britain’s leadership race is reigniting Brexit tensions, with Wes Streeting calling it a “catastrophic mistake” and backing a UK return to the EU, while Andy Burnham says there’s a long-term case—keeping food, energy, and trade questions front and centre. Animal Health Clash: In the EU, farmers and policymakers are pushing back on mandatory culling for lumpy skin disease, as scientists warn vaccines aren’t a quick swap and climate-linked vector spread is worsening outbreaks. Water Research Boost: Suntory Oceania pledges $1m to Griffith University to study climate impacts on rivers and test “safe zones” for water ecosystems. Spain Citrus Pressure: South Africa’s citrus export surge (2.9m tons in 2025) is colliding with fresh flood damage in South Africa’s orchards, darkening near-term supply. Public Health Watch: A hantavirus cruise-ship cluster continues to be monitored across countries, with new case updates since early May.

Canary Islands Blue-Tech Push: The archipelago is moving beyond tourism into ocean power, with Global OTEC completing the world’s first purpose-built floating ocean thermal energy conversion platform off Gran Canaria—designed to cut pipe needs by about 80% and deliver steady electricity from warm-to-deep cold water. Food & Farming Politics: Spain’s government warns that without migrants, farms and even city bars could shut, as public services and agriculture increasingly rely on foreign labour. Citrus Trade Shift: South Africa has overtaken Spain as the world’s top citrus exporter, shipping a record 2.9M tons in 2025. Local Life & Rural Diversification: In Northumberland, a farm is betting on padel courts to draw visitors and build a community—another sign rural operators are adding new revenue streams. Marine Conservation Watch: Conservation groups are urging Spain to improve how marine protected areas are managed.

Citrus Trade Shock: South Africa has overtaken Spain as the world’s top citrus exporter, shipping a record 2.9M tons in 2025—an export win driven by strong standards, quality, and an export-first model that complements Spain’s Northern Hemisphere supply. Policy Pressure in Spain: Spain’s government warns that without migrant workers, bars and public services could struggle as the country’s low birth rate leaves gaps in healthcare, schools, farms, and hospitality. Energy & Fertilizer Squeeze: Europe’s fertilizer makers are still squeezed by energy costs and trade rules, with an EU fertilizer action plan due May 19 as producers face higher costs than in 2020. Local Ag Innovation: In Oman’s Al Jabal Al Akhdar, youth-led projects like olive and pomegranate initiatives are turning heritage agriculture into tourism momentum. What’s Missing: No major Spain-specific farm policy or crop-price updates landed in the latest hours—today’s ag headlines are mostly trade and labor-linked.

Citrus Trade Shock: South Africa just set a new record, exporting 2.9M tons of citrus in 2025—barely edging out Spain and underlining how quickly the global supply chain is shifting. The rise is tied to an export-first model, strong compliance with plant-health and sustainability rules, and consistently high fruit quality, with Spain and South Africa effectively covering different parts of the year so shoppers get fruit year-round. Migration Politics at Home: Spain’s government warns that cutting migrant inflows would hit public services and even everyday businesses like bars and farms, as the debate heats up ahead of Andalusia voting. Energy & Costs Watch: Spain is preparing for changes to electricity and gas tax relief from 1 June, with prices expected to move again as VAT returns to 21%. Ongoing Agriculture Angle: SEPE is expanding free online training for jobseekers and workers under ERTE, including agriculture-focused courses.

Energy shock ripple: Spain’s temporary VAT cuts on electricity and gas are set to end on 1 June, after April prices fell (electricity -4.3%, gas -9.6% year-on-year), meaning households will return to the standard 21% VAT—a reminder that geopolitics can still hit farm and food costs fast. Fertilizer pressure: Europe’s fertilizer makers are squeezed by energy prices, trade rules and carbon border charges; the Commission is due to present a fertilizer action plan on 19 May. Trade moves: The Philippines has lifted its ban on Spanish pork imports after recognizing ASF “regionalization,” while Spain’s own citrus story is being watched as South Africa overtakes Spain in export volume. On the ground: Malaga province is enjoying a warmer pocket while much of Spain faces colder-than-normal conditions. Sustainability angle: Australia is trialling recycled sheep wool as soil mulch to cut evaporation and rebuild degraded land.

Food security & trade: The Philippines has lifted its temporary ban on Spanish pork imports after recognizing Spain’s African swine fever (ASF) regionalisation, allowing pork meat and swine by-products to resume under agreed sanitary and veterinary conditions. Market power shift: South Africa confirmed it exported 2.9 million tonnes of citrus in 2025, overtaking Spain by volume—while Spain still anchors the Northern Hemisphere season. Aquaculture sustainability: The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is rolling out new 2026 feed and farm standards plus a refreshed logo, with implementation still underway. Policy pressure on farms: Spain’s electricity and gas VAT relief ends 1 June as energy prices eased, pushing households back to the standard 21% rate. Environment & compliance: New research flags that bird “nest boxes” on solar farms often attract the wrong species and may be poorly designed, raising risks for local bird survival. Health watch: Hantavirus concerns continue after cruise-related cases, with quarantines and further testing underway.

Citrus Power Shift: South Africa has overtaken Spain as the world’s top citrus exporter by volume, shipping about 2.9 million tons in 2025—an achievement credited to strict plant-health compliance and market access, even as SA still lags in total production and faces pressure from tariffs, input costs, and flooding impacts. Trade & Food Security: The Philippines has lifted its temporary ban on Spanish pork imports after recognizing Spain’s African swine fever (ASF) regionalization system, aiming to ease domestic price pressure while keeping sanitary conditions in place. Biosecurity Watch: Six passengers from the hantavirus-hit cruise MV Hondius have landed in Australia and will quarantine for three weeks after further screening. Environment & Farming Risk: New research warns Spain’s rapidly expanding solar boom may be harming birds—nest boxes are often poorly designed and may attract the wrong species. Energy Costs for Households: Spain’s temporary VAT relief on electricity and gas is set to end in June, pushing bills higher again.