Extreme Weather Taking Toll on Crops, Livestock This Season

Extreme weather is damaging or destroying crops globally of late, especially coffee, cocoa and avocados – and climate scientists are concerned.

Researchers: Antimicrobial Resistance, Superbugs Could Spur New Pandemic

Could a combination of the animals we eat and antimicrobial resistance eventually trigger another pandemic? Some university researchers fear that possibility is real.

Brazil Poised to Become Top World Food Exporter

The average Brazilian farmer was 46 in 2021, with the latest census putting the average age of U.S. farmers at 58 years old.

Lab-Engineered Potato Could Solve Age-Old Storage Issue

Researchers at Michigan State University have produced a breakthrough that promises better-tasting – and longer-lasting – potatoes.

Disease, Weather Devastating U.S. Citrus Industry

Citrus, once the dominant crop in Florida, has declined 92% in the past two decades, the victim of disease and extreme weather.

IFT FIRST 2024: Tackling Rising Commodity Costs with Innovation

Cost reduction was a central theme at the recent IFT FIRST industry event. Exhibitors offered a range of solutions to reduce costs in the short-term and future-proof supply chains in the long-term.

Lanternflies and Pongamia Trees Yielding Unexpected Harvests

Florida’s shift from citrus groves to pongamia plantations is a move towards sustainability and resilience, offering new economic opportunities with biofuel and plant-based proteins.

Avian Influenza Continues to Spread Across America

HPAI is spreading across dairy farms and, at last report, was present in 143 herds, with 53 new herd infections over the past month.

CEO Predicts Global ‘Food Wars’ as Supplies Wane

“Food wars” are simmering, as geopolitical tensions have inspired a rise of protectionism amid concerns about dwindling supplies, according to one of the largest global agricultural commodity traders, Olam Agri. The Singapore-based agri-business is part of the Olam Group, which supplies food worldwide.

Hurricane Beryl Wreaks Havoc from Houston to Jamaica, Impacting Power and Crops

Hurricane Beryl raked Mexico and the Caribbean before setting its sights on Texas, devastating crops and killing livestock in its rampage toward land. Damage should lessen as the storm heads north, however.

Sustainably Sourced Chocolate: An Evergreen ESG Splurge?

Consumers frequently express a willingness to pay extra for products they perceive to be sustainable, but actual shopping behavior often tells a different story. What sets sustainably sourced chocolate apart from the rest?

Trade Tensions Escalate: China Targets EU Pork and Dairy Amid EV Dispute

China is fighting back against EU anti-subsidy plans, and is collecting evidence for an investigation into EU pork and dairy products.

Gone ‘til September: Huy Fong’s Sriracha is Orange and in Short Supply

Huy Fong doesn’t just lead the category in the United States – it by and large created the category over 40 years ago when it debuted its sriracha in 1980, fostering a dedicated fandom that has only grown via endless professional collaboration and licensing coupled with decidedly non-professional experimentation from hotheads coast to coast, kitchen to kitchen.

Weather and War are Threatening Wheat Supplies

Soggy fields in western Europe and drought in Australia, Ukraine and Russia, coupled with Russia’s continued war on Ukraine, are curbing wheat production and shrinking global stocks to their lowest level in decades.

‘Heatflation’ Threatening Olive Oil Production

Olive oil is being threatened by climate change, high interest rates and inflation that has sent prices soaring. Searing heat in Spain, Greece and Italy has been especially problematic.

HPAI in the Dairy Industry and Implications for Human Health

Recent updates from the FDA indicate that ongoing national testing of retail dairy products demonstrates the efficacy of the pasteurization process in inactivating the HPAI virus.

The Vanishing Vanilla Supply

A recent cyclone ravaged some of Madagascar’s key vanilla-growing regions, threatening a vanilla shortage during the 2024 vanilla harvest.

Peeling Apart the Complex History (and Future) of the Banana

A regular feature in shopping carts from coast to coast, the humble banana has long been a reliable source of nutrition, convenience, and affordability. Yet beneath its cheerful exterior lies a complex tale of botanical intrigue, economic uncertainty, and environmental peril.

Hot, Hotter, Hottest: Summer Forecast Could Challenge U.S. Ag

Those lazy, hazy days of summer are expected to be hotter than ever this year, according to the Farmers’ Almanac, but then again, the publication has been right only slightly better than half the time …

H5N1 Avian Flu Hits Dairy Herds

The recent spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain (H5N1) to dairy cows in the United States has raised concerns about the potential impact on the dairy and beef industries. While the U.S. …

Fresh OJ Deep Dive: Brand Leaders Feeling the Squeeze

Fresh orange juice producers continue to walk a fine line between supply and demand while consumer beverage preferences fluctuate widely.

Navigating the Future of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and environmental challenges, the concept of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is at the forefront of a profound transformation in the agricultural sector.

Infernos, Fevers, and Freight Failures: A Fiery Start to 2024

Wildfires threaten the 2024 growing season, as bird flu and cargo woes challenge global resilience and supply chains.

Sugar Shock: Suit Accuses Sugar Producers of Collusion

A lawsuit filed in New York accuses the nation’s sugar producers of colluding to keep prices artificially high.

America is Poised to Embrace Tofu

In today’s alternative protein space, the possibilities tofu offers are turning heads. More flavorful than most plant-based products, more rewarding than a perfect burger alternative, and much more affordable than a meat-based option, tofu checks a lot of boxes as a middle-of-the-road protein alternative that doesn’t necessarily have to market itself as a one-size-fits-all plant-based option.

What the Jal? Jalapenos Aren’t Hot Anymore

Why aren’t many store-bought jalapenos hot anymore? The answer lies in changing palates and products bred for consistency, not flavor.

Cereal Offender: Why is Chlormequat in our Oats?   

Informed consumers, concerned about the potential health risks associated with chlormequat, are increasingly turning toward organic oat products as a precautionary measure to minimize exposure to this and other chemicals of concern.

Record Texas Wildfire Could Impact Beef Prices

The Smokehouse Creek fire in the Texas panhandle already has set a record for size and now is threatening to create record agricultural losses that could send beef prices soaring. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, surveyed …

Egg Market Remains Volatile Amid HPAI, Cage-Free Standards

Egg prices were volatile in 2023 due to highly pathogenic avian influenza. Not much has changed as the calendar has turned to 2024.

Beef Rice & Dairy Plants—Frankenfood or Food Science Breakthrough?

Such a fusion of different species opens new possibilities for sustainable food production, addressing issues such as food scarcity, environmental impact, and ethical concerns associated with traditional agriculture practices.

Great Plains Debate: Should Bison Become ‘The Other Red Meat’?

Nutritionists hail bison as the other red meat, not that different in taste and nutrients from beef, but with a greater concentration of iron and fatty acids along with less fat.

Column: The Decline of Vertical Farming is a Prelude to Innovation and Profitability

In the current discourse on economic conditions, a paradox emerges: while macroeconomic indicators suggest a robust state of affairs, a pervasive sense of unease belies these optimistic figures. Nowhere is this more evident than in …

Understanding Why Regenerative Agriculture is the Fastest-Growing Green Theme

“Brands that genuinely commit to regenerative agriculture can build strong connections with consumers who prioritize regeneration,” says Michael Ham of Wild Orchard Tea Company. “This can result in long-term brand loyalty and positive associations with environmental responsibility.”

Pork Oversupply Possible Threat to U.S. Economy

Eggs and bacon or sausage: The traditional American breakfast – or at least it used to be. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the pork industry currently is so efficient, it’s producing more meat …

Report: Global Seafood Production Could Rise 20% to 2050

Global seafood demand per capita is expected to grow through 2050 according to a new Seafood Forecast report from Norwegian risk management firm Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The firm expects annual seafood production to reach 160 million …

Dark Chocolate Outlook: Soaring Cost of Cocoa Challenges Candy Makers

Cocoa prices are nearly 65% higher than they were one year ago, and New York futures prices have hit a 46-year high.