AGP Executive Report

Personalised baking boom (New Zealand): New Zealand’s bakery manufacturing market hit NZ$1.2bn in 2024, growing 2.7% annually (2020-25), as consumers increasingly buy custom celebration cakes. Printed cake toppers and photo-based edible designs are driving demand, letting home bakers and pros reproduce photos, logos and branded looks with less skill. Pollination supply squeeze (Australia→South Australia): Millions of WA bees are being trucked across the Nullarbor to support South Australia’s almond pollination after varroa mite devastated local hives; more than 7,500 mite-free hives are expected to arrive around almond bloom, in a deal reported at over A$2.3m. Hospitality momentum (UK): A Leamington restaurant saw a year-on-year jump in diners after relaunching, leaning on seasonal dishes from kitchen gardens and Michelin Guide recognition. Food safety & regulation pressure (France): French beekeepers are furious after parliament reauthorised pesticides they say can poison bees, raising biodiversity and harvest concerns. Cost-of-living hit on food budgets (New Zealand): A report says beneficiaries spend more than they receive weekly, with groceries taking a large share—fueling pressure across essentials.

US–India Trade Talks: Five rounds have failed to resolve agricultural-market access, with the U.S. pressing India to lift limits on soybeans, corn, dairy, poultry and GM crops ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline for a possible 26% tariff reinstatement. Food Safety: The cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce is expanding to nine states, putting fresh-produce supply chains and outbreak response back in the spotlight. Retail & Food Tech: Flipkart is moving toward food delivery, aiming to challenge Zomato and Swiggy with a new pilot. Dairy Trade: Switzerland’s dairy industry is seeking fresh export markets after U.S. tariff moves hit cheese sales. Nutrition & Consumer Health: FDA-issued sodium targets are being reported as having minimal impact, while new guidance continues to push consumers toward lower-sugar choices and whole foods. Agri-Food Policy: Nigeria’s government is setting up a committee to develop a 2026 VAT modification order as part of broader tax reform. Halal Industry: Malaysia’s PM says the country can become a global halal hub if certification is matched with strong industry capabilities and international partnerships.

Food Safety Recall: UK’s Food Standards Agency flagged a precautionary recall of Graham’s Family Dairy semi-skimmed milk (penicillin trace risk) with affected best-before dates ending July 31, 2026, urging allergic consumers not to drink and to return for refunds. Circular Packaging & Recycling: Indorama Ventures launched a Zero Waste to Landfill initiative at PETValue Philippines, partnering with a cement maker to recover hard-to-recycle bottle caps/labels and keep materials in productive use. Seaweed Livelihoods: BFAR delivered P600,000 livelihood packages to two Philippine fisherfolk groups to scale seaweed-based food processing, including carts, solar power, refrigeration, equipment and training. AI for Beverage Ops: VIP introduced “VIP Intelligence,” an AI suite for beverage makers and distributors to turn industry data into pricing, orders, forecasts and actionable insights. Foodborne Outbreak Watch: Coverage highlights how the cyclosporiasis outbreak is reshaping consumer behavior and food-safety scrutiny, with calls for clearer, science-led communication. Seafood Aquaculture Setback: Spain’s Nueva Pescanova shelved plans for a large-scale octopus farm after prolonged regulatory delays and approval uncertainty.

Food Safety Shock: The multistate Cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce has surged to 4,173 confirmed cases, with CDC tracking thousands more under investigation as FDA keeps probing the source and expands a second cluster. Regulatory Watch: Jamaica’s plant quarantine authority has tightened surveillance and border checks to keep Cyclospora from entering, with track-and-trace on U.S. suppliers and potential shutdowns if regional risk rises. Labeling Battle: Nestlé is lobbying U.S. regulators to let ingredient lists use simpler, common names (like vitamin C) instead of technical terms, arguing current rules can scare shoppers away. Animal Welfare & Trade: Brazil has signed a law banning foie gras sale and production, angering France and effectively ending French imports. Energy & Costs: Oil prices above $100 a barrel are expected to keep squeezing budgets for fuel-linked essentials, including food and school supplies. Industry Tech: Thermo Fisher launched InstaFlux to speed up media-on-demand workflows for food microbiology labs, aiming to cut prep labor and resource use. Catering Funding: Malta’s catering sector shows strong interest in EU funds for upgrades, with 81% of operators open to applying.

Food Safety Crackdown: India’s FSSAI suspended Rehaan Healthcare’s licence after serious hygiene and cross-contamination risks were found in its health supplements and nutraceuticals unit, ordering a stop in production until fixes are verified. Supply Chain & Cost Pressure: The Hormuz crisis is driving insurance costs for tankers up to as much as $10m per voyage and cutting traffic by as much as 90%, with knock-on effects that can hit fuel, food and consumer prices. Trade Shock for Food Imports: The US rolled out new 10% and 12.5% tariffs on 60 trading partners; South Africa faces 12.5% on most exports, though some foods like oranges, juices, nuts, mangoes and papayas are exempt. Labeling Battle: Nestlé is lobbying US regulators to allow simpler ingredient names (e.g., vitamin C vs “ascorbic acid”) to reduce consumer rejection of technical terms. Agri-Food Support: Malaysia’s Penang approved a one-off RM500 grant for 6,572 padi and vegetable farmers to ease living costs and protect the state’s food supply chain. Workforce for Food Systems: Malaysia reported agricultural TVET graduate employment rising to 76% in 2024, with higher earnings for those who stay in agri roles. Beverage Tech: VIP (Vermont Business Magazine VIP) launched “VIP Intelligence,” an AI suite aimed at improving beverage pricing, orders and forecasting across the three-tier system.

Food Safety Regulation: EFSA cut the acceptable daily intake for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to 0.014 mg/kg/day and added an acute exposure limit, citing thyroid hormone changes tied to PFAS-related contamination. US Food Policy: The FDA removed “Orange B” from permitted use and proposed revoking “Citrus Red No. 2,” accepting comments through Aug. 24. Food Business Oversight: Bangladesh Food Safety Authority has started mapping 10.13 lakh food businesses nationwide to build a central database for safer production and better monitoring. Supply Chain & Costs: Oil prices pushed past $100 a barrel, with fresh-food and shipped goods likely to see more price pressure. Consumer Shock: Disneyland raised prices on hundreds of menu items, including a 15% jump for Mickey beignets. Agri-Funding: Canada renewed the Quebec Fisheries Fund with CAD 50m over five years to boost seafood innovation and exports. Industry Growth: Smash Foods closed an $18m round to scale chia-fortified spreads and protein bites. Restaurant Finance: Experts at an investment summit urged operators to pace capital and protect people when securing restaurant funding. Food Recalls: FDA issued a voluntary recall alert for Midwest Poultry Services eggs sold via Kroger after potential salmonella concerns.

FDA Peptide Crackdown: The U.S. FDA is convening a two-day advisory meeting on whether pharmacies can compound and prescribe popular peptides (including BPC-157 and TB-500) amid safety and weak clinical-trial concerns, with some industry pushback arguing current rules drive riskier underground sales. Food Safety & Enforcement: Nigeria’s NAFDAC has launched a nationwide crackdown on banned sachet and small-bottle alcoholic drinks under 200ml, targeting production through retail and warning of seizure and prosecution. Livestock Quarantine Breach: Philippines authorities intercepted 40 undocumented hogs shipped from Cebu to Bohol without ASF-negative tests or required permits, tightening controls on illegal animal transport. Wellness Beverages & Regulation: A Kentucky-backed U.S. bill would set a regulatory framework for intoxicating hemp-derived edibles and beverages, limiting sales to adults and shifting THC limits to FDA rulemaking. Forgotten Crops Push: FAO-backed seed fairs in Malawi spotlight drought-tolerant sorghum and cowpeas to revive “opportunity crops” for climate resilience and nutrition. Foodservice Boost from Sports: Early data suggests the 2026 World Cup is lifting U.S. restaurant and bar sales via watch parties and tourism spending. Sustainable Seafood Agenda: Asia’s Sustainable Seafood Summit 2026 is set for Oct 21–23, aiming to tackle IUU fishing, human rights risks, and supply-chain transparency.

Food Safety & Outbreaks: A cyclospora outbreak in the U.S. is linked to produce/water contaminated with human waste, with case counts reported at record levels as officials work to identify the source. Labour & Retail Restructuring: South Africa’s SACCAWU is taking Pick n Pay to court to halt planned retrenchments, arguing the restructuring would weaken collective agreements and deepen unemployment. Spirits & Innovation: Pantalones Organic Tequila is partnering with Tipsy Scoop to launch a limited-edition tequila-infused Peaches & Cream Margarita ice cream for National Tequila Day. Beverage Franchising Growth: HTeaO opened 10 stores in Q2 2026 (mostly in Texas) and rolled out new beverage launches, adding to its fast expansion momentum. Hospitality & Foodservice Operations: A Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia reportedly started a fire at a food industry enterprise, injuring three people. Agri-Food Policy & Trade: Experts urged Africa to unlock untapped livestock potential to boost food security and inclusive economic growth through investment, market access, and infrastructure. Regulatory/Market Watch: Moldova named Alexandru Manciu acting director of its National Food Safety Agency.

Trade & Exhibitions: Malaysia’s Food and Drinks Malaysia (FDM) expo in Kuala Lumpur is on track to beat last year’s US$265m sales target, with organisers citing stronger demand, brisk business matching and rising international participation despite supply-chain friction and higher food transport costs. Agri-Food Growth: Pahang’s MAHA Pahang 2026 expects 100,000+ visitors and RM1.3m sales, spotlighting sustainable agriculture and new crop varieties. Food Safety Recall: Waitrose is recalling its Waitrose & Partners 8 Chocolate Chip Brioche Rolls after reports they may contain hard plastic and metal; customers are told not to eat and to return for a refund. Livestock & Processing: Kenya’s Isiolo International Export Abattoir cleared a machinery test run, paving the way for commissioning by President Ruto and aiming to give pastoralists a reliable market and export access. Functional Nutrition Manufacturing: Shandong Benon Bio-Technology says it’s expanding OEM/ODM capacity for functional drinks and tableting candy as plant-based health demand grows. Dairy Trade: Belarusian firms secured US$76m in milk powder contracts for Indonesia, including supplies for the Free Nutritious Meal programme.

Food Safety Crackdown: Maharashtra FDA seized 1,731 litres of milk and 896 kg of milk products and suspended 16 eateries/hotels after hygiene violations during a July 16–21 inspection drive. Produce Safety: A New York Times report warns cyclosporiasis is rising with warmer weather and higher fresh-produce consumption, urging better farm prevention and faster outbreak removal from shelves. Regulation Update: Bangladesh Food Safety Authority made registration/licensing mandatory for food businesses, including restaurants, bakeries, juice bars, catering, dairy makers, importers, and even roadside snack vendors. Supply & Pricing Pressure: El Niño is threatening India’s edible oil security by disrupting monsoon oilseed crops, potentially boosting reliance on imports. Consumer Health Watch: Consumer Reports found inorganic arsenic in every tested rice product, with many samples high enough that daily eating could raise long-term risk. Snacking Trends: Circana says snacking is now a daily necessity, with functional “protein/fiber/gut” formats and private label expanding fast. Industry Guidance: An alliance issued new guidance on managing bacterial spore risks in plant-based beverage ingredients. Trade Link: Malaysia-Russia bilateral trade rose 7% to RM3.55bn (Jan–May 2026), with processed foods and palm products among key exports.

Water Policy Study: Malaysia’s PETRA will commission a 12-month study to set an Industrial Water Reclamation Policy, aiming to boost water-use efficiency for sectors including food & beverage. Catering Demand Signals: Compass Group reaffirmed full-year guidance after strong Q3, citing double-digit business wins and education contracts, with North America leading growth. Sustainable Aviation Fuel Push: A UC Berkeley-led study says India could scale power-and-biomass-to-liquids tech to build a $30B SAF export industry by 2040, using agricultural waste. Food & Trade Tensions: India-US trade talks are sparking major farmer protests over fears of cheaper imports hurting rural livelihoods, while Nigeria’s ethanol procurement figures show OMC spending of Rs 48,757 crore in ESY 2023-24. Packaging & Processing Milestones: Carbios hit its 100th textile biorecycling batch and expanded licensing for PET-rich textile waste; Angola inaugurated a $45M glass container plant for food and beverage packaging. Regulation & Safety: UK gene-editing rules were ruled unlawful, and South Africa’s alcohol tax overhaul debate is heating up over illicit trade and public health impacts. Business in the Kitchen: UK “Bake Boss Club” helps home bakers meet food safety and allergen rules while turning hobby cakes into compliant businesses.

Food & Drink Consumer Shifts: GLP-1 drugs may reduce alcohol cravings, putting pressure on the “automatic second cocktail” habit and forcing bars/restaurants to rethink upsells. Health & Nutrition Innovation: Leche and Tiny Health launched a clinical study on whether donor breast milk added to formula improves gut health in formula-fed infants. Hospitality & Family Dining: Hyatt Vacation Club rolled out “Villa Bites” with Nurture Life, delivering chilled, kid-friendly meals and smoothies to resort villas. Foodservice Cost Pressure: R365’s mid-year restaurant survey says food and labor costs are still climbing; 87% saw higher food costs in H1 2026 and 78% expect more increases. Food Safety Update: FDA walked back a lettuce Cyclospora result as a false positive and says there are no confirmed positive tests as of July 19. Energy & Affordability Backdrop: Households brace for fresh energy bill shock as oil tops $90 and gas spikes, adding strain to food and fuel budgets. Cash Aid for Food Security: Philippines’ UPLIFT program began payouts of P2,000 monthly for July–December in multiple regions, targeting poor and near-poor households. Convenience Retail Growth: Bangladesh’s modern retail outlets more than doubled, with supermarket and convenience chains expanding urban coverage. Regulatory/Climate Cooling Fight: NRDC sued to reverse EPA’s delay on climate-friendly refrigeration rules for grocery stores.

Food Security & Aid: Philippines’ PNP is on high alert as the expanded UPLIFT cash program rolls out to 3.5m 4Ps/Walang Gutom households plus 2.5m CBMS-identified families and 1.5m SSS members, with payouts running July–December and distribution-centre security stepped up. Agri-Food Development: Nepal launched an agriculture-food system strengthening project with Chinese support, coordinated with FAO and Nepal’s government to boost productivity and resilience. Trade & Market Access: Ghana secured Burkina Faso’s green light to resume egg imports/exports after quality concerns, and both sides agreed on a joint technical committee to smooth future disputes. Consumer & Compliance: India’s CCPA fined Chaayos ₹50,000 for automatically adding service charges to bills, ordering refunds and software changes across outlets. Industry & Operations: Devon poultry processor operations are under pressure as water shortages and conservation measures limit supply, forcing 2 Sisters’ Willand factory to run at minimum water levels to meet hygiene and welfare rules. Agri-Food Events: Malaysia’s Road to MAHA Labuan 2026 (July 23–26) will feature themed zones on food security, livestock, aquaculture, agrotourism, SMEs and local fruit promotions. Beverage & Nutrition Trends: South Korea reports rising teen caffeine use via energy drinks and high-caffeine beverages despite tighter rules elsewhere, while EY research flags GLP-1 weight-loss drugs reshaping grocery baskets toward more fruit, lean protein and fewer snacks. Market Watch: Europe’s shea butter market is forecast to grow to US$1.55bn by 2033 on clean-label demand.

EU Supplement Rules: The European Commission is drafting bloc-wide maximum limits for vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements, but industry and some Irish politicians warn it could function like a “ban” on certain products, while health experts argue uniform limits improve safety and reduce trade friction. Food Safety & Recalls: Taylor Farms expanded a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 states due to a possible link to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak, underscoring how quickly produce contamination can spread. Consumer Protection: India’s CCPA launched suo motu action against 41 restaurants for automatically adding service charges, ordering refunds and software changes to stop default levies. Food Packaging Health Risk: In Tanzania, doctors warn that printed paper used to wrap food can leach unsuitable chemicals—especially when food is hot or greasy—raising both health and hygiene concerns. Dairy Investment: India’s Amul Bengal Dairy Project breaks ground in West Bengal, targeting 10 lakh litres/day and boosting income for small milk producers. Energy Costs Hit Food Supply: Bangladesh’s fuel import bill jumped 85% in FY2025-26, with Middle East conflict driving higher costs that can ripple into food and production prices.

Food Safety & Regulation: South Africa’s Public Protector says Gauteng’s spaza shops and street-vendor food safety enforcement is failing, with spaza “fronting” linked to contaminated sales. Health & Nutrition Science: A European Heart Journal study links high intake of common non-antioxidant preservatives to higher risks of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, urging regulators to re-check safety. Food Industry & Supply Chains: Iceberg lettuce has been recalled across 27 US states after potential cyclospora contamination, with retailers pulling products. Agri-Food Development: Qatar is expanding protected farming and insect-proof net houses to boost productivity and food security, while Malaysia is encouraging retirees to move into modern agrofood using tech like AI and drones. Trade & Branding: Cambodia’s food expo is pushing Khmer spices and cuisine toward exports, aiming to raise locally made product share. Packaging & Environment: The polystyrene “styrofoam” debate heats up as the industry pushes back on bans and argues for recycling. Business & Hospitality: Red Lobster’s CEO credits early front-line service work for managing “difficult people,” as the chain pursues a comeback.

Food Safety Shock (U.S.): The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, with health officials reporting 1,645 lab-confirmed cases and at least 94 hospitalizations so far. Recall Action (Produce): Taylor Farms announced a 27-state recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico (distributed June 29–July 16) after notifying regulators; consumers are told to discard the product immediately. Regulatory Response (Mexico): Mexico’s health and agriculture ministries say they’re investigating preventively and running inspections and traceability checks related to the lettuce supply chain. Public Health Research (EU): A European Heart Journal study using France’s NutriNet-Santé cohort links high intake of certain non-antioxidant preservatives (including sodium nitrite and potassium sorbate) to higher risks of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, prompting calls for regulators to re-check safety. Industry Compliance (Malaysia): Malaysia’s agriculture ministry urged durian exporters to stick to China’s phytosanitary protocol for fresh durians, warning that unapproved “pre-cut” methods could jeopardize access to the market.