Vietnam produced 15.18 million tonnes of crude steel in the first half of 2026, up 26.9% year on year, as public investment, infrastructure construction and a recovering property market supported domestic demand. Finished-steel exports remained broadly flat, while imports exceeded exports by about 1.2 million tonnes.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has launched a five-year rice development project in Mongala province. The initiative aims to support nearly 30,000 producers, establish seven processing units and reach production of 250,000 tonnes by 2030.
Romanian dairy farmers are producing milk for about 2.20–2.30 lei per litre while receiving as little as 1.75–1.80 lei. Falling consumption, higher energy costs and delayed government support are threatening farms, jobs and domestic milk processing.
Vietnam’s wood and wood-product exports to China rose 46.5% year on year to $1.3 billion in the first half of 2026. China passed Japan to become the sector’s second-largest export market, while the United States remained first despite a decline in sales.
Paris corn and rapeseed futures rose more than 2% in Monday trading, reaching their highest levels since 2023. European supply concerns contrasted with pressure on US wheat from advancing harvests and weak export inspections.
Italy’s Coldiretti has called for the immediate allocation of €40 million to strengthen wheat supply-chain contracts. The farm organization also wants tighter controls on the origin of foreign wheat and stronger action against unfair practices.
Edison Energia will supply 100% renewable electricity to Sapio’s newly inaugurated hydrogen electrolyzer at Porto Marghera under a multi-year off-site PPA. The agreement gives the industrial-gas producer a stable external power supply for green hydrogen production.
The Association of Sugar Producers in Poland expects EU sugar production to decline substantially in the 2026/27 season because fewer sugar beets will be available. The warning puts beet supply, factory utilization and the bloc’s sugar balance under closer scrutiny.
Armenian fish farmers protested outside the government building in Yerevan after shipments to Russia were suspended. ARKA reported that about 15,000 tonnes of live fish are at risk, while the Armenian Fish Farmers’ Union said access to the EU market remains impractical despite new authorization.
India is developing a possible policy framework to promote ethanol as a household cooking fuel alongside LPG. The plan could include subsidies, ethanol dispensers at fuel stations and support for specialized stoves.
Spain’s government has approved a draft tobacco law that would extend smoking and vaping bans to hospitality terraces, beaches, transport stations and other outdoor spaces. The bill also puts electronic cigarettes under the same restrictions as conventional tobacco, while hospitality, tourism and transport groups warn of costs and operational difficulties.
China earned $44.3 million from apple and pear exports to Russia in the first half of 2026, up from $35.4 million a year earlier. The increase reflects Russia’s domestic fruit supply gap, although higher prices and logistics costs may also have raised the trade value.
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