Big Soda Departs from the Juice Market

PepsiCo has announced plans to sell Tropicana, Naked, and other juice brands across North America to private equity firm PAI Partners for about $3.3 billion. The soda giant is just the latest such company to …

What’s Brewing with U.S. Beer Makers? COVID-Related Shifts

With the rise of hard seltzer and other low-cal alcohol options, Americans seem to be drinking less beer, and U.S. producers are making less of it. Boston Beer Co. the maker of Samuel Adams beer, …

Hard Seltzer Market Could Be Softening  

The hard seltzer market may be falling on hard times. While it may not seem that long ago that beverages like Truly Hard Seltzer were a highlight of many summer get-togethers, the popularity of the …

The Implications of Higher Inflation and COVID-19 Infection Rates for the Food Industry

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: higher inflation and COVID-19 infection rates, public health policy changes, vaccine passport, the …

Danone and Harmless Harvest – Reading Between the Lines

Danone’s recent majority stake in Harmless Harvest is a curious market event.  Not because they took a majority. Because coconut water is not growing anymore in the U.S. based on sources I’ve reviewed. The pandemic …

How High Can Prices Go? Inflation Spurs Price Hikes Among CPGs

With inflation on the rise, major CPG companies are projecting price increases. Here are a few of the top brands to announce such pending hikes: UNILEVER After already raising prices 1.6% in the second quarter, …

EARNINGS UPDATE: Coca-Cola Reports Strong Second Quarter Results

Coca-Cola Co. released its second quarter earnings this week—and sales rebounded faster than expected. HIGHLIGHTS: Net Revenues grew 42% Organic Revenues (Non-GAAP) grew 37% Operating Income grew 52% Operating Margin was 29.8% versus 27.7% in …

Yeast Extract – A Game Changer in the Modern Food Industry

With millennials and Gen Z consumers now hyper-aware of their eating habits and food choices, yeast extract is gaining traction as a versatile ingredient used for savory flavor and quality food. The COVID-19 outbreak encouraged …

DTC Delivery, New Flavors Key to Alcohol Growth

The pandemic, revision of direct-to-consumer delivery laws, and development of new flavors helped lift U.S. distilled spirits consumption in 2020, but it was unclear whether the trend would hold. IWSR reported consumption was up 2% …

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 …

CPI Sees Largest One-Month Change Since 2008

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.9 percent in June on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.6 percent in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This was the …

USDA Taking Steps to Boost Meat and Poultry Market Competitiveness

To address concerns about competition in the U.S. ranching and farming system, USDA will allocate $500 million to expand meat and poultry processing capacity across the nation. The agency said the move was “one of …

Equity Markets Update: Chobani Files for IPO

The latest food company to ride the IPO wave is Chobani. The company announced early Wednesday that it has filed for a confidential draft registration statement for a proposed IPO with the Securities and Exchange …

Survey: Millennials, Gen Z Big Fans of Bubble Tea

The beverage industry has seen an increase in demand for premium beverages among younger consumers, and boba tea is a growing niche in that specialty segment. According to a recent CLSA survey of consumers, 94% …

Food Industry Financials: GenZ Unemployment, McCormick, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: Gen Z Unemployment, Robinhood and new generation of investors, earnings from McCormick (MKC), …

Food Industry in the Spotlight as Fourth of July Celebrations Return

Two-thirds of Americans plan to return to normal Independence Day celebrations this weekend, according to Numerator. So, as pandemic restrictions ease and Americans resume their Fourth of July traditions, The Food Institute takes a closer …

Spurred by Innovation, Beverage Market Making Waves in 2021

U.S. beverage demand is forecast to increase 2.9% yearly in nominal terms through 2025, as income rises and the population grows, according to Beverages: United States, a report by Freedonia Focus Reports. Here’s a look at which …

EARNINGS UPDATE: McCormick Reports Strong Second Quarter Sales

McCormick & Co. today reported financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended May 31, 2021. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Sales rose 11% in the second quarter from the year-ago period. In constant currency, the company grew sales …

Is the Future of Farming Inside?

The future of vertical farming is bright. Advanced technology and increasingly severe weather conditions that hurt outdoor farming are contributing to big growth, albeit from a very small base. And that growth will accelerate over …

IRI Analysis: CPG Demand Patterns Shift as Economy Reopens

Consumers resuming active lifestyles are still maintaining at-home habits, according to a new IRI report highlighting key trends and growth opportunities for CPG manufacturers and retailers. In April, food and beverage sales for at-home consumption …

EARNINGS UPDATE: General Mills, Constellation Brands

General Mills and Constellation Brands both reported earnings today. Here’s a closer look at highlights from both reports: GENERAL MILLS Fourth Quarter 2021 Highlights Net sales declined 10 % to $4.5 billion and organic net …

Non-dairy Desserts Shaking up the Ice Cream Aisle

The plant-based ice cream sector is growing fast, with no signs of slowing on the horizon. At the end of March, snack bar brand KIND released seven flavors of frozen, plant-based desserts, reimagining their classic …

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 …

PORK UPDATE: Hog Prices Drop, Iowa Pig Farms Sue, Mexico Rejects Shipments

Pork has been making headlines of late, with one of the most notable updates being that prices for U.S. hogs have slipped since the Chinese government said its supplies have nearly fully recovered from African …

Historic Heatwave in Pacific Northwest Causes Concerns Over Crops

You thought 2020 was bad? This year has featured extreme drought conditions. Then, cicadas and grasshoppers. Now, the Pacific Northwest is getting walloped by a nearly unprecedented heatwave. Portland, Seattle, and swaths of western Canada …

FI Seafood News: Shrimp Market Growing Significantly

Here’s a look into notable developments in the seafood market recently: SHRIMP’S ASCENT The global shrimp market size was valued at $31.6 billion in 2019, and is estimated to reach $54.6 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 9.2% …

Industry Insider: Global Shipping Problems to Persist into 2022

While the world looked to the second half of 2021 as the “Great Reopening” following the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems the “Great Backlog” is a more apt name for the current shipping paradigm. From sweatpants …

Cell-Cultured Meat Looks to Go Mainstream

Israeli startup Future Meat Technologies Ltd. is in talks with U.S. regulators to start offering its cell-based meat products in restaurants by the end of next year. THE WORLD’S FIRST INDUSTRIAL CULTURED MEAT PRODUCTION FACILITY …

U.S. Meat Processing Update: As Industry Faces Oversight, Sanderson Explores Sale

As demand for chicken products rises, and the meat industry addresses anti-competitive behavior, Sanderson Farms Inc. is reportedly exploring a sale. POSSIBLE SANDERSON SALE Sanderson Farms tapped Centerview Partners for advice on its potential sale …

Worker Shortage Leaves Suppliers Scrambling for Drivers

Food suppliers are turning to out-of-state workers and recruiters to fill job openings, with some even being paid six figure salaries. RENT-A-STAFFER BOOM Some New York food suppliers are hiring Alabama-based truckers as they can’t …

Popularity of Frozen Food Continues to Solidify

Frozen food experienced significant growth throughout the pandemic, and demand for the category remains sticky. Data suggest that the popularity will linger in the long term, as consumer shopping patterns continue to favor the convenience …

Worsening Drought Envelopes Much of Western U.S.

Dangerous heat waves in much of the western U.S. could soon break all-time temperature records. And, those temperatures are worsening drought conditions that were already plenty worrisome. The latest drought monitor released June 10 categorizes a …

FI Trending Topic: Home Chefs Connecting with Customers Via Delivery Apps

Shef has raised $20 million to expand its homemade meal delivery marketplace. The company helps home chefs connect with customers by handling orders and getting the food delivered, reported TechCrunch (June 2). Back in 2019, …

Food Industry Financials: Inflation, CPB, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: inflation analysis, earnings from Campbell Soup Company (CPB), Chewy, Inc. (CHWY), and more.   …

BREAKING NEWS: Campbell Reports Third-Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Campbell’s Soup released its third-quarter results and updated full-year guidance this morning.  Shares of the company (Ticker: CPB) are trading down close to 7% pre-market as of 8am ET as investors react to the results: Net …

FI Trending News: Alternative Protein Makers Crack Into Growing Vegan Egg Market

While plant-based meat and dairy markets are saturated with options, vegan egg substitutes have been somewhat limited – until now. Growth of plant-based eggs According to a report by The Plant-Based Foods Association, U.S. plant-based …