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 …

Protein Producers Reach Agreements to Settle in Legal Battles

Multiple protein producers are agreeing to settle in various legal battles regarding price fixing and anticompetitive activity. TYSON, PILGRIM’S PRIDE Tyson Foods Inc. and Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. both struck agreements on Jan. 11 to help …

Celebrity-Backed Oatly Poised for Significant Growth with IPO

Celebrity-backed plant-based milk brand Oatly has seen success among vegans and non-vegans alike. Once only found in trendy cafes and niche grocery stores, the company’s oat milk can be found in mainstream foodservice outlets and …

For the Dogs: Ben & Jerry’s Delves into Pet Food Market

Is your dog begging for dessert? Well, now you can treat them with Ben & Jerry’s latest offering: Doggie Desserts. The premiumization of pet food was a major trend during 2020. Spending on dog treats …

Food Industry Bugging Out Over Insect Protein

The edible insect market, which surpassed $112 million in 2019, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 26.5% from 2020 to 2027 to reach $4.63 billion by 2027, according to Research …

Demand for Cold Storage Continues Higher on Strength of Food and Pharmaceuticals

Main Points:  Total capacity of refrigerated warehouses worldwide was 719 million cubic meters in 2020, 16.7% higher than 2018. Among the factors driving growth are online grocery sales, subscription meal services, consumer preferences for fresh …

Jobs Report: Restaurants, Bars Among Hardest Hit in December

Employers across the U.S. decreased hiring in December, as COVID-19 cases were up and cities reimposed business restrictions. Throughout the month, job losses were largely concentrated among restaurants, bars, hotels, casinos, and other entertainment venues, …

Plant-Based Seafood Coming Ashore in 2021

While plant-based beef held center stage in 2020, vegan-friendly seafood appears to be waiting in the wings for its big moment. Veganism is as popular as ever, according to Google data showing vegan-related searches were …

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 …

Impossible Foods Cuts Wholesale Prices to Better Compete with Traditional Ground Beef

Impossible Foods is cutting foodservice distributor prices for the second time in a year as part of its push to better compete with traditional ground beef. The maker of soy-based meat alternatives is dropping prices …

CPG Companies Add Healthier Brands to Attract Consumers

Consumers are looking for healthier snacks and CPG companies are taking notice.  Mondelez International’s 2020 State of Snacking report found that consumers are highlighting the importance of snacks that enable them to lead healthier lifestyles. At the …

McCormick Enters New Year on Acquisition Spree

McCormick & Company, which manufactures spices, seasoning mixes, and more for a large swath of the food industry, has worked feverishly in recent months to strengthen and diversify its business through strategic acquisitions. In particular, …

New Year, New You, New Dietary Guidelines

The U.S. government’s latest dietary guidelines keep current allowances for sugar and alcohol consumption unchanged. The decision by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services rejected recommendations by a scientific advisory committee …

Biotech Companies Offer Personalized Nutrition Based on DNA Tests

In addition to uncovering surprises in ancestral lineage, biotech services are now using DNA tests to develop personalized nutrition plans to help individuals reach optimum health, based on their genetic makeup.  And while popular genealogy firms …

CPG Companies Bet on Longer-Term Remote Work and In-Home Dining

Among the changes forced by COVID-19, the typical consumer lunch hour has shifted to in-home dining. And consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are betting that relocation is a trend that’s here to stay. In fact, …

ESG Debate Gaining Steam in Agriculture and Beyond

From Washington DC to farm fields throughout much of the country, the acronym ESG has become a rather hot-button issue of late. Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) is a movement that’s undeniably gathering steam, …

NextGen Coffee Is a Trend to Watch

In today’s world, people are looking for more than just an average cup of joe. And because the pandemic is keeping many consumers away from their local coffee shops, there’s a growing trend to recreate …

What the Food Industry Needs to Know About COVID-19 Relief

After months of uncertainty, 2021 looks more promising than one might assume for the food industry. For starters, Congress’s recent COVID-19 relief bill should provide a measure of assistance to restaurants and beer manufacturers alike. …

Pandemic and Brexit Leading to U.K. Chaos Ahead of Christmas

A new variant of COVID-19 and increasing concerns about the country’s exit from the European Union are causing significant problems in the U.K. days before Christmas. NEW COVID-19 VARIANT PUTS LONDON IN LOCKDOWN London and …

Consumers are Likely to Align with Healthier Consumption Habits Next Year

While some people have strayed from regular diet and exercise routines over the course of the pandemic, others have capitalized on the new stay-at-home lifestyle by focusing on wellness. Against this backdrop, and ahead of …

Companies Show Thanks to Employees as Pandemic Continues

Food companies are showing their appreciation for employees in several ways as 2020 comes to a close. Chipotle has paid out over $40 million in bonuses and assistance pay to employees during COVID-19, reported QSR …

Pet Food and Other Fido-Friendly Businesses Profiting from Pandemic

The pet food industry has grown sales throughout the pandemic, with pet adoption and pet gifts on the rise as well, reported MarketWatch (Dec. 17). Pet food helped boost sales at General Mills during its …

Food Industry Groups Want Priority Vaccinations for Workers

With limited quantities of the COVID-19 vaccine available, many groups a seeking priority for their employees—including the food industry. Administration of the vaccine began on Dec. 14 in the U.S. with early doses being set …

Post Holdings Diversifies Portfolio with Acquisitions

After missing analyst forecasts in its fourth quarter earnings report, Post Holdings has made acquisitions to diversify its portfolio. The company reported net sales of $1.4 billion—a decrease of 2.2% over the last year and …

Avocado Market Strength Continues Despite Biden Climate Change Headwinds

Despite its unassuming appearance and a flavor described sometimes as subtle or muted, the avocado’s growth in popularity has been quite an attention grabber. Whether it’s the fruit’s superfood status, the rise of guacamole as …

Trade Groups Seek Priority COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Meat Workers

Three leading meat-industry trade groups are asking U.S. governors to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine access for meat workers, reported Winsight Grocery Business (Dec. 9). The North American Meat Institute, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and the …

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 …

Companies Look to Recoup Losses Following Poultry Price-Fixing Charges

Chick-fil-A filed a federal lawsuit accusing 16 poultry suppliers of inflating prices on billions of dollars of chicken that it bought, reported The New York Times (Nov. 6). The suit accuses the producers of violating …

Cultured Meat is Cooking Up

Amazing breakthroughs in the world of food are becoming available to consumers daily. While plant-based food innovation is ramping up, another area gathering steam is cell-cultured meat production in labs. The Food and Agriculture Organization …

Food Industry Targets Sustainability

Several major food companies have recently announced new better-for-the-planet initiatives. Nestle Nestle will invest $3.6 billion over the next five years in an effort to fight climate change and plans to halve its carbon emissions …

Global Cuisines Travel to Consumers’ Plates

One trend to look out for in 2021 is the rise of global cuisines. With consumers mostly stuck at home, many foodies will look to get their travel fix at home through international flavors. “With …

Tofurky Sales Up for Thanksgiving

Tofurky sales are up 32% in 2020, representing its best Thanksgiving bump since 2017, according to Nielsen data. While the company is now 40 years old, it remains smaller than other players in the plant-based …

McCormick Gets Spicy with Cholula Acquisition

McCormick will buy hot sauce maker Cholula for $800 million, reported CNBC (Nov. 24). The company, which already owns the Frank’s RedHot and Old Bay hot sauce brands, reported an 8% sales increase its latest …

COVID-19 is Increasing, but Hazard Pay for Retail Employees is Not

Despite rising coronavirus cases across the country, hazard pay for retail workers is not keeping pace. Industry observers say many retailers are not sharing enough of the profits they have earned during the pandemic with …

The Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner is Down This Year

Although overall food prices are on the rise, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner is down 4%, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual cost survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving …

Key Lessons from the KIND Acquisition by Mars

Mars’ acquisition of the KIND brand is more than the latest or the largest strategic acquisition by a large food company. In this acquisition, the real “news” is the lessons its 16-year development contains for …