Adding value to cotton in Africa can drive inclusive growth, ministers and agency heads say Investment in the cotton, textiles and garments sector can help transform economic development in Central and West Africa, said speakers at a high-level event on the eve of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaound�, Cameroon, on 25 March and at the opening ceremony on 26 March. Ministers, heads of international agencies, development finance institutions, private sector partners and FIFA representatives highlighted the opportunities for Africa to weave its way up the value chain to accelerate economic growth.

Adding value to cotton in Africa can drive inclusive growth, ministers and agency heads say #WTOAg#WTOCotton #WTOAg

Canada launches safeguard investigation on certain vegetable goods On 18 March 2026, Canada notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 16 March 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain vegetable goods.

Canada launches safeguard investigation on certain vegetable goods #WTOAg

📢 This month's "News Harvest":

▶️#WTOAg talks Chair tables draft #WTOMC14 text
▶️Gulf conflict could affect fertilizer trade, agencies say
▶️US ends emergency tariffs, announces new surcharge

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From field to factory, football and fashion: MC14 high-level event to spotlight cotton A high-level event on cotton will be held on the eve of the 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaound�, Cameroon, on 25 March to highlight cotton's importance to global trade and investment opportunities, particularly for Central and West African countries looking to move up the value chain. The event will feature the launch of the Partenariat pour le Coton Investment Platform, spotlighting of fashion and textile/garment entrepreneurs, and unveiling by FIFA representatives and?Cameroon?football legends of?FIFA's?tee-shirts and polo shirts to be distributed under the FIFA Football for Schools programme.

From field to factory, football and fashion: MC14 high-level event to spotlight cotton #WTOAg#WTOCotton #WTOAg

Chair of agriculture talks circulates revised draft text, as MC14 outline emerges The Chair of the negotiations on agriculture, Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain (Pakistan), has circulated a revised draft text ahead of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaound�, Cameroon, from 26 to 29 March. Most WTO members welcomed the draft as a basis for consensus at a meeting of the negotiating body on 6 March, although a couple of members said they do not find it acceptable in its current form.

Chair of agriculture talks circulates revised draft text, as MC14 outline emerges #WTOAg

Agriculture talks Chair circulates draft text ahead of MC14 building on member submissions At a meeting of the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture on 27 February, members provided feedback on a new draft ministerial decision introduced by Argentina in addition to eight other submissions circulated since December 2026. In the absence of clear consensus around any single proposal, and in response to calls to take the lead, the Chair circulated later in the day a draft ministerial text for members' consideration ahead of the General Council meeting on 10-11 March and the 14th Ministerial Conference on 26-29 March.

Agriculture talks Chair circulates draft text ahead of MC14 building on member submissions #WTOAg

📢 In this month's WTO "News Harvest":

▶️Trade ministers highlight need for progress on agriculture
▶️#WTOMC14: 2 new ag negotiating submissions
▶️EU-India deal: food, farm goods, among products included
▶️India, China, outline ag policy directions

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WTO members share new agriculture negotiating submissions in lead-up to MC14 WTO members have shared two new submissions on food and agriculture, aimed at finding compromise ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaound�, Cameroon, in March.

WTO members share new agriculture negotiating submissions in lead-up to MC14 #WTOAg

📢 In this month's WTO "News Harvest":

▶️New trade pacts set to deepen farm sector integration
▶️MC14: WTO agricultural trade talks continue
▶️#GFFA Berlin: agriculture ministers highlight water, trade

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#WTOAg

📢 In this month's WTO "News Harvest":

▶️Global food import bill hits new record
▶️Tariff cuts ease trade in fruit, beverages
▶️MC14: 7 new submissions on food + ag

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#WTOAg

📢 In this month's "News Harvest":

▶️#COP30: DG @noiweala.bsky.social highlights ag reform
▶️New @oecdagriculture.bsky.social farm support data out
▶️China, US, extend suspension of additional duties

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Happy #WorldFoodDay! In this month's "News Harvest":

▶️Food, ag trade grows 7%, amid dim 2026 outlook
▶️DG @noiweala.bsky.social: disruptions are call to "reimagine trade"
▶️Uncertainty: ag negotiators in "pragmatic" mood

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Committee reviews farm policies, follows up on ministerial outcomes, addresses food security At a meeting of the WTO Committee on Agriculture on 25-26 September, members discussed key issues surrounding trade and food security. Led by chairperson Diego Alfieri of Brazil, the meeting provided members with the opportunity for a frank exchange of views on a range of topics.

Committee reviews farm policies, follows up on ministerial outcomes, addresses food security #WTOAg

📢 In this month's WTO "News Harvest":

▶️Farm groups react to shifting trade landscape
▶️WTO #FisheriesSubsidies Agreement enters into force
▶️UN highlights role of trade in food security #SOFI2025
▶️Food, farming on #WTOPublicForum agenda

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A lot of interesting information in this #WTOAg #NewsHarvest, including: "Talks with the UK are … ongoing, the US said in a 23 June meeting of the WTO Committee on Agriculture … with preferential market access for beef and ethanol among topics under negotiation." Includes hyperlinks to details.

📢 In this month's WTO "News Harvest":

▶️Acute food security set to worsen, @wfp.org warns
▶️Tariffs: BRICS leaders express concern
▶️Rules-based ag trade "essential", say @oecdagriculture.bsky.social, @fao.org

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📢 In this month's WTO "News Harvest":

▶️ Ministers highlight trade policy uncertainty, seek ag reform
▶️ Avian influenza prompts import bans
▶️ @woahglobal.bsky.social: vaccinations could help promote safe trade

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#WTOAg

📢 In this month's WTO "News Harvest":

▶️ @noiweala.bsky.social welcomes US-China "step forward"
▶️Trade tensions: farmers urge action
▶️Fertilizer prices spike; food prices set to fall

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📢 In this month's WTO "News Harvest":

▶️Goods trade set to contract
▶️New tariffs hit food and agriculture
▶️Farmers, business groups, react

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📢 In this month's WTO "News Harvest":

▶️ WTO Members seek dialogue on tariffs in ag, other sectors
▶️ Canada, China, ask for consultations with US
▶️ Farmers, business associations, express concerns

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Agriculture Chair extends working group process, urges move towards negotiation mode Most WTO members confirmed at a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture in special session on 30 April to 1 May their positive reaction to the working group process initiated in January, and supported the intention of Ambassador John Deep Ford, the committee chair, to extend the process until end-July while taking on board the concerns expressed by some delegations. He also called on WTO members to steer towards more negotiation-focused discussions, with a view to achieving concrete outcomes by the next Ministerial Conference in June 2020.

Agriculture Chair extends working group process, urges move towards negotiation mode #WTOAg

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Guatemala initiates WTO dispute complaint against Indian sugar subsidies Guatemala has requested WTO dispute consultations with India regarding domestic support measures and alleged export subsidies provided by India to producers of sugarcane and sugar. The request was circulated to WTO members on 25 March.

#Guatemala initiates @WTO dispute complaint against #Indian sugar subsidies #TradeDisputes #WTOAg

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