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.

What’s Old is New Again: Harvesting Ancient Grains in F&B

“Consumers can expect to see ancient grains used as an alternative base for many products, ranging from cereal, to bread, to pancake batter. Expect to see them regularly on the menu in restaurants, especially in dishes with other healthy items such as salmon, vegetables, or tofu.”

Bird Flu Roars Back, Disrupting Turkey Farms

About 68 million birds have been killed since the outbreak began in the U.S. in February 2022. Cases are again beginning to tick up, with 2.8 million birds killed on Iowa farms in the past month and 1.3 million at an Ohio egg farm.

What’s Up with Watermelon? Prices, for Starters

While food inflation seems to be cooling in the aggregate, watermelon prices remain red hot. That’s according to Mintec, a market intelligence company, which recently reported prices had surged 49% in mid-July when compared to …

Analysts: Global Rice Shortage Likely to Last for Months

The ramifications of weather and war have resulted in a global rice shortage, which could be among the worst in nearly a quarter century. Rice production for 2023 appears destined for a severe shortfall. “The …

2023 Cattle Prices Could Reach Records

Fed cattle prices are expected to range from $150 to $172 per hundredweight, averaging $158 for the year, up $14 from last year.

Analysis: Coffee Prices to Level Out Amid Inflation Setbacks

With inflation remaining steady, many companies currently face dilemmas. Some are doing everything in their power to absorb the higher operating costs and to keep their prices down. Others, however, have been able to pass …

FI Small Bites: Coffee Industry Latest

Despite the recent downward trend in coffee exports, the latest reports show some light in the darkened tunnel. What’s making things look brighter in the world of java? The Food Institute has the latest. Produced …

Weather Researchers Warn of Pending Megafloods, Megaheat

California could experience “megafloods” as a large portion of the country experiences “megaheat,” according to a UCLA study.

Wheat Update: Will a Russia-Ukraine Agreement be Reached?

The global wheat outlook may be improving after the United Nations reported that Russia and Ukraine took a “critical step forward.”

When Will Perfect Storm of Food Inflation Subside?

Call it a perfect storm: COVID led to labor shortages and supply chain issues and to fuel shortages, all of which contributed to inflation. Factor in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and unpredictable weather, and food …

Experts Weigh In on 2022 Inflation Outlook

With food more expensive than it has been in decades and inflation surging, business owners and consumers alike are worried about what the future holds. How high can prices go? When will inflation starts to ...

Ag Update: Cargill Plans to Eliminate Trans Fats by 2023

Cargill announced it will eliminate trans fats in its products by the end of 2023 to help improve consumer diets, the first manufacturer to agree to new World Health Organization standards. “Cargill became the first …

Demand, Labor Challenges Broaden Raw Ingredient Shortages

Labor issues continue to fan the flames of supply chain disruption, fueling raw material shortages and poking holes in production output, while food manufacturers struggle to keep up with volatile demand. “The U.S. manufacturing sector …

Report: Cost of Breakfast Commodities Hits 10-Year High

The cost of ingredients for breakfast staples continues to rise as global food production, processing and transportation challenges collide with higher demand from the pandemic rebound. According to the Financial Times breakfast indicator, futures prices …

Truck Driver Shortages Continue to Burden Supply Chains

Panic buying leading to shortages of toilet paper and other commodities took hold at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, and experts warn a similar situation could develop in coming months, largely due …

Exclusive: Wells Fargo Economist Addresses State of U.S. Agriculture

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: an interview with Wells Fargo agricultural economist Dr. Michael J. Swanson on a …

Meat Prices Continue to Rise After Pandemic Push

Inflation is affecting prices across the food continuum, and meat is no exception. Meat prices were up in the first two quarters of the year when compared to both 2020 and 2019, according to analysis …

FI Agriculture Recap: Pandemic Relief for Livestock Producers

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency will begin accepting applications next Tuesday from livestock producers who suffered pandemic losses as a result of their inability to gain sufficient access to processing. Relief will come from the …

Food Costs Ease Following Decade-High Surge

Global food prices recently fell for the first time in a year, potentially offering some relief for consumers and easing inflationary pressures. COSTS DROP 2.5% A United Nations gauge of food costs dropped 2.5% in …

Avocado Volumes on the Rise While Prices Decline

While Americans are paying more for everything from lumber to computer parts, and with most of the food industry contending with price increases, one surprising exception can be found: avocados. While often considered one of …

Food Industry Financials: Surging Commodities, Coca-Cola, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: unemployment benefits, global debt, surging commodities, restaurant reservations, Coca-Cola (COKE), and more Trending …

Food and Beverage Companies Signal Higher Prices

Many food companies are raising prices to offset higher costs. Higher commodity costs are pressuring companies’ profits, while some are also starting to lap their surging sales sparked by stockpiling in 2020, reported CNBC (March …

Global Food Prices Hit Six-Year High

Global food prices are the highest they’ve been in six years, with the price of agricultural commodities traded on the global stage rising 50% since the middle of 2020, according to economists at Rabobank. Additionally, …

Consumers Expected to Wake Up to Higher Coffee Prices Soon

U.S. coffee processors are reporting significant cost increases in their operations, mostly related to transportation, and expect to raise retail prices soon. Mid-sized and smaller roasters have been hit hardest, but even larger companies say …

FI Agriculture Round Up: The Dawn of a Commodity ‘Super Cycle’

COMMODITIES SUPERCYCLE U.S. agriculture is at the beginning of a commodity “super cycle,” according to Brett Stuart, CEO of Global AgriTrends. He said China is driving markets for beef, pork, poultry and corn, and that …

Rising Commodity Prices Bring Relief to Farmers

Soybeans and other commodities are seeing a jump in prices due to dry weather and strong export demand from China. Could this lead to higher prices for consumers? RISING COMMODITY PRICES ​Prices for corn, soybeans, …

Rising Food Prices Represent Awakening Risk in 2021

New data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics note that food prices are up due to demand. The food index rose in December, as both food at home and the food away from …

Grain Prices Spiked Ahead of USDA Report

With the USDA expected to issue a report Jan. 12 reducing its domestic corn stock outlook, grain prices spiked with corn prices nearing $5 per bushel Jan. 5. The increasing prices could signal a boon …

Trade Improves Between U.S. and China

China has started buying U.S. supplies of soybeans from next year’s crop much earlier than usual, reported Bloomberg (Dec. 7). The world’s top importer is loading up on U.S. crops, including corn and soybeans, to …

U.S. Trade with China Improving, Lifting U.S. Farmer Prospects

China accepted its first-ever commercial container of U.S. rice in history, creating cautious optimism with rice growers across the U.S., reported Western Farm Press (Nov. 3). The shipment was received as Chinese buyers await the …

Commodities Navigating Through Coronavirus Losses

Commodities, such as cheese and lemons, are still facing issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Cheese The U.S. cheese industry is reeling after months the pandemic causing upheaval in prices and demand, reported The Wall …

First-Ever Water Futures Will Hedge Price Risk

CME Group Inc. and Nasdaq Inc. are planning to launch a futures contract later this year that will allow farmers, speculators, and others to wager on the price of water, reported The Wall Street Journal …

U.S., Brazil, and China: Commodities Amid Coronavirus

The U.S., Brazil, and China form an interesting trade triangle when it comes to certain commodities, and the coronavirus pandemic has added new wrinkles into the balance. China was the first country to experience the …

Taking Vertical Farming to New Heights; Discover Marketing Opportunities for Disruptor and Traditional Brands

The food industry is facing unprecedented disruption with traditional manufacturers and producers often edged out by artisanal brands and new ventures backed by VC and other forms of unconventional capital. This webinar will feature one …