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On September 23, 2026, Namibia confirmed a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Karasburg (Kharas Region) — previously an FMD-free zone — with 10 of 11 samples positive and 63 cattle affected. The outbreak, south of the veterinary cordon fence, threatens native local herds and comes as neighboring South Africa also fights FMD. Namibia imposed a nationwide livestock trade/slaughter ban, and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) revoked its FMD-free status for the southern zone, halting exports to China, South Africa, and the United States. The livestock sector (about 3.1% of GDP, N$8.8B/year) faces up to 12,000 lost job-years in 2026–27, though confirmed containment to Kharas allowed a partial lift of restrictions north of the cordon fence, while the southern zone stays locked down and international bans continue. Pork remains an exception — slaughter and trade stay suspended nationwide, causing shortages and price spikes.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Agricultural Information Network Report WA2026-0001, September 29, 2026

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins congratulated Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg on his appointment as Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and welcomed President Trump’s nomination of Greg Ibach to serve as the next Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA).

“Luke Lindberg has been a tremendous friend and partner in our mission to deliver for America’s farmers and ranchers. With his help, the Trump Administration had cut the agricultural trade deficit by 51%, helped deliver $177 billion in U.S. agricultural exports, expanded markets through 20 new trade agreements and frameworks, and secured billions of dollars in new agricultural purchase commitments around the world.

I am thrilled President Trump has nominated Greg Ibach to serve as our next Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Greg is a lifelong producer and proven leader who knows American agriculture from the farm gate to the global marketplace.”

Source: USDA Press Releases, September 29, 2026

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today launched AgInsights, a new data dissemination tool that will serve as a key component of NASS’s ongoing modernization strategy. Designed to enhance currently used data products and services, the AgInsights application offers streamlined information dissemination, increased operational efficiency, and a more dynamic, interactive experience so producers have easier navigation and access to the latest agricultural data.

NASS recognizes that producers, whether large or small, established or emerging, need timely, actionable information to make informed decisions. AgInsights will bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to critical data for all producers, including those who have historically faced barriers to information.

“AgInsights is an important step forward in how producers interact with agricultural statistics. By streamlining information delivery and integrating advanced technologies, we’re making it easier for producers to access, analyze, and apply the latest data to their operations,” said NASS Administrator Joseph L. Parsons.

NASS asked an initial group of agricultural data users to test the application and provide feedback. Their recommendations informed the development of the product to help meet industry expectations across commodity sectors. Key features include:

• Interactive and Comprehensive Data Views: AgInsights integrates tabular data, charts, and maps into a single web-based interface, providing a comprehensive and interactive way to explore data, which was previously spread across different formats. Users can access comprehensive tabular data views similar to traditional PDF reports, but with added interactivity, making it easier to analyze and compare data.
• Modernization and Future-Proofing: The new tool is built using modern technologies, aligning with other NASS applications and ensuring long-term support and updates.
• Improved User Experience: AgInsights focuses on effective, efficient, and user-friendly intuitive interaction, with enhanced visualizations that helps users interpret and digest data more easily. It also offers interactive features that allow users to sort, filter, and explore data dynamically, enhancing the overall user experience.
• Producer-Centric Features: The tool offers intuitive sorting, filtering, and interactive visualizations, making complex data easy to interpret and apply to real-world challenges. Producers can also access analytics tailored to their operation type, supporting more informed decision-making. It is also optimized for mobile devices.
• Reduced Maintenance Complexity: Designed to be as automated as possible, this modern product is designed to deliver visualizations and data with minimal ongoing support, providing the opportunity to sunset old applications that were cost prohibitive and unsupported while reducing the labor-intensive efforts required for each report.
• Support for Power Users and General Users: AgInsights leverages NASS’s Quick Stats database, which is already popular among many users, while also providing a graphical user interface for those who prefer a more visual approach. It includes enhanced visualizations such as choropleth maps and time series charts, which update interactively with each report, helping users to better interpret and understand the data.

Information about all NASS surveys and reports is available online at nass.usda.gov.

Source: USDA Press Releases, September 16, 2026

USDA has outlined several program opportunities to strengthen commercial engagement, bolster food security, and expand market access in Venezuela. These efforts leverage USDA’s full range of trade promotion, capacity-building, and food assistance tools to support U.S. exporters and strengthen regional resilience as Venezuela continues to recover from recent earthquakes.

Some of the USDA-FAS support opportunities include: 

Market Promotion and Export Assistance 

• Working with approved U.S. agricultural cooperators to leverage Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program funds for exploratory market research, trade seminars, and consumer promotion activities within Venezuela. 
• Exploring the possibility of including Venezuela as a destination for an upcoming regional agribusiness trade mission, which would connect U.S. exporters directly with regional buyers. 
• Providing updated tools and resources for U.S. exporters. 

Credit and Export Financing 

• Promoting sales of U.S. farm products to Venezuelan importers through the GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee Program, which guarantees payment to U.S. exporters and removes risk by providing an alternative credit option for Venezuelan purchases.   

Capacity Building and Fellowships 

• Hosting Venezuelan scientists and researchers through the Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program to exchange knowledge and support agricultural innovation. 
• Providing short-term technical training for Venezuelan agricultural professionals via the Cochran Fellowship Program to strengthen local regulatory frameworks and expand opportunities for safe, high-quality U.S. agricultural exports. 

Take Advantage of Emerging Market Opportunities 

To access the complete toolkit of USDA resources, check your company's eligibility for the GSM-102 program, and stay up to date as USDA-FAS evaluates regional agribusiness trade mission potential for early 2027, visit the FAS website at www.fas.usda.gov. 

Source: USDA-FAS Newsroom, September 10, 2026

In June 2026, Ukraine’s State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service agreed on a new international veterinary certificate for importing bovine embryos and oocytes from the United States into Ukraine. This certificate creates new opportunities for U.S. genetics exporters. 

Demand for U.S. bovine dairy genetics is expected to be strong, with 1st-year sales projected to exceed $100,000. As the Ukrainian  industry develops expertise in embryo transfer, demand is likely to increase
further.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Agricultural Information Network Report UP2026-0025, September 4, 2026

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) has announced the participant list for its upcoming trade mission to Melbourne, Australia from August 30 to September 2, 2026. Through USDA-FAS agribusiness trade missions, U.S. agribusinesses connect directly with overseas buyers to expand market access and boost exports for U.S. producers. Luke J. Lindberg, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, will lead the delegation to Australia. The delegation includes 38 agribusinesses and trade organizations, as well as representatives from 10 State departments of agriculture. USLGE will be participating.

In 2025, Australia imported nearly $1.7 billion in U.S. agricultural products, making it the 18th-largest export market for U.S. agricultural products. In New Zealand, U.S. exports reached $612 million in 2025.

In addition to brokering business-to-business meetings, USDA-FAS staff and regional experts will hold in-depth market briefings and host site visits and networking events to strengthen trade relationships.

For more information on USDA trade missions, visit fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

Source: USDA-FAS Newsroom, August 24, 2026