Global Scans · Food & Agriculture · Weekly Summary

• [New] By 2026, the Commission will assess whether to expand the scope of carbon farming to the reduction of livestock-related GHG emissions. Climate Action
• [New] Ample global supplies are expected to keep food and agricultural raw material prices broadly stable, while beverage prices (notably coffee and cocoa) are projected to soften. World Bank Group
• [New] As global demand for housing eclipses the supply of wood in the coming years, single-use plastics such as water bottles and food containers could get a second life as recycled framing material to alleviate both a global housing crisis and the overwhelming demand for timber. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• [New] USDA expects the farm sector's debt-to-asset ratio to increase from 13.49% in 2025 to 13.75% in 2026. American Farm Bureau Federation
• [New] USDA projects net farm income will slip lower in 2026 and remain roughly $48 billion below the record highs reached in 2022, underscoring a generational downturn in the farm economy. American Farm Bureau Federation
• [New] By 2026, over 60% of urban farms are projected to adopt aeroponic vertical tower technology. Farmonaut
• [New] Agricultural markets are entering a period of profound uncertainty as a confluence of surging input costs, volatile weather patterns, and shifting geopolitical alliances threaten to destabilize global food security. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] USDA updates this month show farmer income is expected to fall nearly 1% in 2026 to $153.4 bil. ADM Investor Services
• [New] The integration of robotics and data platforms is expected to become nearly universal across leading vertical farms by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, 40% of urban agriculture is projected to use advanced DIY aeroponics for leafy greens, herbs, and even specialty crops. Farmonaut
• [New] As the global economic landscape continues to be shaped by inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions and climate volatility, several key commodities used extensively in food retail are forecast to experience significant price increases in 2026. International Supermarket News
• [New] The global drone industry is expected to accelerate in early 2026, as a mix of legacy companies and rising newcomers drive growth in key markets such as military and defence, security and surveillance, precision agriculture, industrial inspections and retail delivery. WTOP News
• [New] Although biological technologies hold great promise over a slightly longer time horizon, we anticipate that the biggest ag-tech headlines in 2026 will likely be digital: think artificial intelligence, automation, digitally powered farm tools, and more. Grow Further – A food-secure future
• [New] Digital precision agriculture tools, AI assistants, and mobile insurance products; three digitally driven tools that could make a difference to smallholder farmers' lives beginning in 2026. Grow Further – A food-secure future
• [New] The economic cost of food waste across the global supply chain is forecast to reach US$ 540 billion in 2026, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, as the UN's goal to halve global food waste by 2030 remains in doubt. CNS Media
• [New] Organic management practices and organic compatible products eliminate the hazards that EPA is accepting and will be accelerating with the reapproval of dicamba on food commodities. Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog
• [New] Grocery shoppers are expected to spend more on food in 2026 even as inflation's direct impact continues to ease, though value remains the top priority. Supermarket News
• [New] By 2026, over 75% of precision agriculture will rely on drone airspace and safety maps for field management. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, over 70% of large farms are projected to use GPS-based smart farming tools for precise field mapping. Farmonaut
• [New] Precision agriculture could increase crop yields by up to 25% using data-driven digital tools by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, over 70% of global farms are projected to adopt AI-driven digital agriculture solutions. Farmonaut
• [New] Investor Note: Investment in smart sprinkler systems and precision irrigation technologies is predicted to grow by 20% annually through 2028, driven by the need for sustainable and data-driven farming solutions. Farmonaut
• [New] In the decade ahead, big sprinklers, pro sprinklers, toro sprinklers, nelson sprinklers, and the new breed of precision sprinklers will remain pivotal to productive, sustainable, and resilient agriculture globally. Farmonaut

Last updated: 10 February 2026