The September edition of Gaftaworld is now on Gafta's website. This focuses on the maritime challenges facing the trade, particularly in the important Black Sea region and Gafta's ongoing advocacy with international organisations to reopen trade routes vital for global food security.

Production in key grain producing countries across Europe and in the USA has been adversely affected by hot, dry weather and Gafta members have contributed interesting reports on their 2026 harvests and trade outlook. We are very grateful to these contributors.

Gafta is pleased to collaborate with FONASBA, and Bahadir Tonguc, Chair of the FONASBA Shipbroking Committee has provided an insightful article on the importance of closer connection between the two professional communities represented by Gafta and FONASBA (which represents ship brokers and agents).

AmSpec is one of the latest members to sign up to the Gafta Sustainability Pledge and we put some questions to Dr Gillian Dagan, Vice President, on her views with regard to the future direction of sustainability requirements within the trade. We also publish a Q&A with Michael Kaiser, a Gafta Qualified Arbitrator who has years of experience in dispute resolution.

Many thanks to all our authors.

Articles in this edition include:

• Bridging Trade and Shipping, by Bahadir Tonguc
• Ukraine harvests good crop, but exports severely curtailed
• Indian Kharif crops face El Niño wrath; but no threat to food security
• North Africa Harvest Report
• Türkiye Grain Outlook 2026/27: Strong Domestic Crops, Rising Black Sea Risks
• The Phantom Lentil Deficit: Unravelling a 2026/27 Market Paradox
• Harvest and market reports from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, UK and USA
• Confidence Through Evidence: AmSpec’s Commitment to Sustainable Global Trade
• Deepening Expertise: Michael Kaiser on the Value of Gafta Training and Dispute Resolution
• Hungary harvest 2026 – Climate Change?
• EUDR session in margins of WTO TBT Committee meeting
• Obituary – Anthony Charles (“Tony”) Mitchell, 1952-2026

The September edition of Gaftaworld is available here: www.gafta.com/circulars/gaftaworld/

Disclaimer
All Gafta Circulars and Notices are provided to Members purely for the purposes of information. We have not taken any steps to verify the accuracy of the information provided and, accordingly, Members must obtain their own independent professional advice as to its content and effect. We cannot accept any liability, howsoever arising, for any loss or damage which may be caused by any reliance on any information contained in a Gafta Circular or Notice.