Thailand shipped 3.28 million tonnes of rice in January–June 2026, down 18.81% year on year, with value falling 20.51% to more than $1.911 billion. The Department of Foreign Trade blamed abundant global supply, uncompetitive Thai prices and the suspension of shipments to Iraq since March. It still expects the full-year target of 7 million tonnes to be met, 15% below 2025 volumes.
Spot gold rose 0.8% to $4,086.36 an ounce on August 4 as oil prices fell more than 5%, easing inflation concerns. Investors are assessing a 57% probability of a Federal Reserve rate increase in September 2026 while awaiting US labor-market data.
Thai exporters claimed FTA preferences on $40.44 billion of eligible exports in May 2026, up 8.38% year on year. Industrial goods generated 73.27% of the value, while ASEAN and China were the two largest destinations under the agreements.
Indonesia’s palm oil export volume rose only 2.5% to 11.28 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, while June crude palm oil shipments fell by about 20%. The B50 mandate, effective from July, could require an additional 1.9 million tonnes for Indonesia’s domestic market.
The summer potato harvest has started in Sandıklı, the leading production district in Afyonkarahisar province. Local producer İsmail Özel reports 80,000-100,000 decares of potato planting in the district and a shelf life of about two months for the summer crop.
Egypt’s Abu Qurqas sugar complex aims to produce more than 140,000 tonnes of sugar this season after expanding daily beet intake capacity to 7,500 tonnes. The plant is also increasing output and exports of by-products used in feed and biofuel industries.
Spain is considering standardized tobacco packaging under its national smoking prevention plan. Reported illicit-market shares in Australia, France and the Netherlands have intensified debate, although the available evidence does not establish that plain packaging caused the increase.
The United States has introduced an additional 12.5% tariff on olive oil and olive products from Turkey, on top of the existing base customs duty. Turkish exporters warn that preferential treatment for competitors could undermine access to their largest market ahead of an expected strong harvest.
Russia produced 65.5 million tonnes of mineral fertilizers in 2025, up 4%, while exports increased 7% to 45 million tonnes. The industry expects further growth in 2026, supported by global demand and redirected sales to BRICS and other markets.
Russia exported about 82,000 tonnes of chocolate confectionery worth $400 million in the first half of 2026. Export revenue increased 18% year on year, supported by higher sales to Central Asia, Belarus and Turkey.
Recent rainfall has accelerated sugar beet root growth in Poland after earlier dry conditions, but Cercospora leaf spot is appearing in some fields. Agronews reports that disease control, rainfall and temperatures through the end of August will determine root yield and sugar content.
Turkey has started its 2026 fresh fig export season after shipping 20,112 tonnes worth $94 million in 2025. A larger crop, sustained European demand and discounted air cargo underpin the new $100 million target.
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