Can Congress Fix Runaway Coffee Inflation?

Congress brewed up the “No Coffee Tax Act” to slash tariffs and tame surging bean prices. But with climate shocks and record demand, the fix may need more than a legislative shot.

Beef Prices Shock Food Inflation Metrics

Beef prices have shot past inflation benchmarks, driven by supply shocks, tariffs, and parasite outbreaks. As consumers pivot to poultry, food leaders face a meaty challenge in forecasting demand and managing margins.

5 Things to Know About the New World Screwworm

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, is threatening livestock across the Americas, with a human case confirmed in Maryland. USDA is racing to contain the pest before it bites into U.S. food security and cattle profits.

Spinach, Lettuce Get the Inflation Treatment

Spinach and lettuce prices spiked dramatically in July, with producer prices rising over 130% month over month due to tariffs, labor shortages, and climate-related stress. As fresh vegetable inflation accelerates, analysts warn of looming price hikes for consumers and intensified strain on the produce supply chain.

Hive Mentality: U.S. Honey Consumption Sets Record

Honey is having a moment – U.S. consumption hit a record 688.6 million pounds in 2024, driven by health-conscious, eco-savvy consumers. But rising demand may strain bee populations and invite counterfeit sweeteners.

Climate Change Blamed for Global Banana Crop Diseases

Climate change is fueling banana crop diseases like Fusarium and Black Sigatoka, slashing exports and threatening global food security. Fresh Del Monte feels gene-edited resistance is a game-changing lifeline for the $25 billion banana industry.

Upsetting the Apple Cart: Honeycrisp Apple Prices Soar

Honeycrisp apple prices have surged 160% amid crop shortages, rising labor costs, and limited imports. Retailers are pivoting to Cosmic Crisp, frozen produce, and private labels as shoppers seek relief from premium fruit sticker shock.

End to Mexico Tomato Pact Could Raise Prices, Cut Supplies

A 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes may shake up a $3.1 billion import market, as domestic growers cheer and supply chain leaders brace for impact. The squeeze could spark opportunity – or send prices surging.

Beef Prices Hit Record High, Restaurants Rethink Menus

Facing record-high beef prices, restaurants are reworking menus and investing in vertical supply chains to stay afloat. Some are rebranding leaner protein choices as “wellness-driven,” while giants like Walmart cut out the middleman entirely.

Crops Rotting in Fields With Undocumented Farmworkers Gone

Tough immigration enforcement is squeezing farms as migrant workers fear ICE raids – meaning some crops are going unpicked overnight. With labor shortages surging, industry insiders warn of price hikes, food waste, and a looming agricultural breaking point.

Beyond Vertical Farming Hype: Lessons Learned From 300 Global Projects

Vertical farming isn’t dead – rather, the wheat is being separated from the chaff. As hype fades, smart capital is shifting, and survival now hinges on strategy, scale discipline, and true consumer alignment.

Meat Mania: Meat Makes Comeback With Focus on Protein

Meat is reclaiming its spot on consumers’ plates as the benefits of protein-heavy diets are noted on social media. With fresh meat sales projected to surpass $137 billion this year, the industry is sizzling.

Tariff Talk, State of Ag at 2025 BMO Global Farm to Market Conference

Food industry leaders gathered at the 2025 BMO Farm to Market Conference to dissect key challenges, including tariff pressures. Despite economic uncertainties, brands and retailers are deploying strategic pivots to ensure continued growth.

Canadian Cuisine is Gaining Acclaim, from Top Chef to Award-Winning Restaurants

Canadian cuisine is gaining international acclaim, with chefs showcasing The Great White North’s diverse food culture – from Indigenous influences to locally sourced seafood. As culinary innovators tap into Canada’s vast, untapped gastronomic potential, the world is finally taking note.

What’s the New World Screwworm? ‘Flying Piranha’ Alarms Ag Sector

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, is expanding north from South America, posing a significant threat to livestock and even humans. As a result, experts are calling for urgent containment measures.

States Aim to Ban Soda, Candy Purchases From SNAP

Select U.S. states are considering bans on using SNAP benefits to pay for sugary snacks and sodas, causing controversial backlash between industry groups. If approved, the current administration would be the first to ban these specific foods from the program.

SunnyD Highlights Castillo Hermanos’ Bold Move in Beverages

Castillo Hermanos has made a bold $1.5 billion move to acquire Harvest Hill Beverage Company, home to brands like SunnyD. While SunnyD’s surprising sales growth defies health-conscious trends, Castillo Hermanos plans to leverage evolving consumer needs and Harvest Hill’s infrastructure to unlock growth opportunities.

Cracking the Code: USDA’s Global Mission to Stabilize Egg Supply

Facing a volatile egg market, the USDA is leveraging global partnerships to stabilize U.S. supplies amid sanitation challenges, bird flu impacts, and tariff threats, with egg imports from countries like Turkey and South Korea. Complex trade opportunities remain for food industry leaders to navigate.

High Awareness, Low Adoption: Bridging the Gap in Regenerative Agriculture

Despite high awareness, only a small fraction of consumers understand and consistently pay premiums for regenerative agriculture products, highlighting significant psychological and economic barriers. However, with increased crop yields and profits for farmers and the potential for nutrient-rich produce, the industry stands on the brink of transformative growth.

Tariff Trouble: Fresh Produce Prices Expected to Spike

The proposed tariffs by the Trump administration on Mexico and Canada are expected to significantly increase fresh produce costs in the U.S.

Upcycled Whole Pods Triple the Value of Cacao Crops Amid Crisis

Amid erratic cocoa price fluctuations, some major companies continue to raise prices. Meanwhile, Blue Stripes is innovating by upcycling entire cacao pods to create more sustainable and valuable products.

Walmart Partnership Pushes Fresh Produce Limits

Walmart is partnering with India-based agritech company GreenPod Labs to clean up its supply chain: the tech innovation endeavors to minimize produce spoilage during transportation.

Egg Shortage Solution: Turkey Steps In as U.S. Battles Bird Flu

A Trump administration official is advocating for vaccination and improved biosecurity measures to combat bird flu. Meanwhile, Turkey has started exporting eggs to the U.S. to address shortages caused by the virus.

Is Agritourism the Answer to Agricultural Instability?

Agritourism, a growing, $4.5 billion industry, helps farmers and ranchers cope with economic instability by attracting visitors for entertainment and education, thus generating additional income. Despite its benefits, agritourism is often a supplementary activity due to external factors like weather.

Egg Limits Hit Shelves in Bird Flu’s Wake

Egg shortages and soaring prices are being driven by the double whammy of severe weather and the bird flu, which has wiped out millions of birds and tightened supplies nationwide. As a result, grocers are implementing measures like purchase limits.

Meat the Future: Cutting-Edge Tech Transforming Meat Processing

In 2025, the U.S. meat and poultry processing industry is leveraging advanced materials and automation to enhance efficiency across its supply chain. Innovations in blade technology and nanotechnology in packaging are transforming operations.

Holy Guacamole: U.S. Avocado Imports Soar Ahead of Super Bowl

Demand for avocados is surging. Fueled by eased import restrictions, growing interest in ethnic flavors, and heightened awareness of health benefits, U.S. avocado consumption has skyrocketed, driving significant economic contributions across both the U.S. and Mexico.

Duckweed: A Plant Protein That Doubles in Mass Every 48 Hours

Amid extreme weather, water scarcity, and economic instability, duckweed is emerging as a low-cost, eco-friendly protein source that grows year-round. The fast-growing aquatic plant also contains all nine essential amino acids, setting it apart from other plant-based protein sources like soy.

Experts Say Tentative Dockworkers Deal Strikes Balance

A tentative deal granting U.S. dockworkers a pay hike averted a potential supply chain crisis, while opening the door to modernizing ports.

FDA, USDA Evaluate Food-Labeling Burnout

The FDA and USDA are taking steps to understand how consumers interpret common food date labeling terms such as “Sell By” and “Use By” to understand whether it is leading to confusion.

Farm Bill Extension: Crisis Averted, but for How Long?

Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a stopgap spending measure that prolongs the U.S. farm bill for another year. Experts warn that failing to modernize the farm bill within the next year could exacerbate food price volatility.

Brooke Rollins, Trump’s Ag Secretary Choice, Targets Foreign Farm Ownership

Donald Trump has nominated Brooke L. Rollins, a farm-raised leader of the America First Policy Institute, as his pick for agriculture secretary. She’s expected to focus on tightening regulations around foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.

Makers Eye Precision Fermentation, Alt Protein for Solutions

With the world’s population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, manufacturers are looking for unique solutions to satisfy the growing consumer base’s nutrient-dense needs. Can precision fermentation be the key?

Quantum Leap: Is Quantum Farming the Future of Produce?

Dr. Tsipi Shoham, a cancer researcher turned CEO, believes “quantum farming” – an innovative, AI-driven agriculture method – could improve public health. She also feels she has found the answer to indoor farming’s short-comings.

Electro-Agriculture: A Novel Method Allowing Plants to Grow in the Dark

Bioengineers have developed a farming method that essentially replaces photosynthesis with a solar-powered chemical reaction, which could enhance sustainability and restore ecosystems.

Out of Juice? Juice Brands Fight for Fresh Appeal

The juice market is struggling as consumers increasingly seek healthier options. Experts at one recent industry event emphasized the need for brands to seize upon trends like sugar reduction.