The latest FI Fast Break news podcast examines Circana’s revised 2026 outlook for the food industry, which projects continued volume tightness.
President Trump announced $12 billion in aid for farmers caught up in trade wars with top economic partners. The funds will reportedly come from U.S. tariff revenues, with $11 billion earmarked for USDA’s new Farmer Bridge Assistance program, reported CNBC. Full Story
In other food and beverage industry news, PepsiCo said it will cut prices and eliminate some products in its portfolio after negotiating with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. The company plans to cut nearly 20% of its offerings by early 2026, reported ABC News. Full Story
Elsewhere, analysts expect U.S. container volumes to decline sharply through 2026, signaling stalled trade and intensifying fleet overcapacity issues, according to a Journal of Commerce webinar. Weak consumer demand and tariffs have impacted volumes, placing pressure on carriers to manage excess capacity as global imports rise elsewhere, reported Fresh Fruit Portal. Full Story
And finally, the freeze-dried candy trend continues to grow as brands tap vacuum processing to transform chewy candies into intensely flavorful snacks with novel textures. University of Wis. researchers have found that removing moisture can drive seemingly boundless expansion, reported BBC News. Full Story
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