AGP Executive Report

Food-Sector Safety: A fire engulfed several food shops in Noida, killing one person; a gas-cylinder explosion is suspected, and authorities are investigating. Farm & Food Security: Sabah plans to strengthen support, infrastructure, technology and market links for farmers and fishers, while aiming to raise rice self-sufficiency from 22% to 40% by 2030. Rice Exports: Indian industry representatives say pesticide residues caused 69% of rice shipment rejections in European markets, calling for stronger farm-level controls, testing and traceability. Global Trade: Vietnamese producers are seeking more direct access to Italy as pepper shipments and other agricultural exports face competition from indirect suppliers. Food Regulation: The FDA has proposed cadmium action levels for baby foods, a move that could give manufacturers clearer targets and shape future scrutiny. Packaging & Brands: Sonoco reported weaker consumer-packaging sales amid cost pressures and softer food-can demand, while Taco Bell and PepsiCo extended their partnership through 2036.

Processing Investment: The U.S. is making at least $5 billion in guaranteed loans available to expand meat, poultry and seafood processing. Moldova will receive €150 million from the European Investment Bank to modernize farming, processing and distribution and help producers reach EU markets. Market Pressure: Spain’s household consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables fell 2.4% in January–July, while spending slipped 0.8%, adding to concerns about weaker demand. Company Moves: Nestlé reported 4% organic sales growth in the third quarter as snacks and frozen foods rebounded in the U.S.; its turnaround includes plans to cut 16,000 jobs. Qatar’s Widam Food will cut capital by QR130 million to cover losses, then convert QR30 million in bonds to shares. Supply Risks: New Mexico confirmed a New World screwworm case in a calf and imposed inspection and treatment requirements in the affected area. Fiji farmers also face prolonged drought, with one grower warning the sector could lose two years of progress. Regulation: The U.S. effort to define “ultraprocessed” foods has reportedly stalled, leaving manufacturers and retailers without a clear federal standard.

Poultry Investment: Ghana has secured a $270 million financing agreement to develop domestic poultry production, targeting 12,000 jobs and lower chicken imports. Supply-Chain Risks: A new BSI-CIPS report says 97% of surveyed food and drink firms identified modern slavery or serious labour-rights risks in their supply chains, while many lack visibility beyond direct suppliers. Manufacturing: Nestlé will close its Solon, Ohio, pouch factory by the end of 2027 and shift production to South Carolina, citing changing demand; its local research and corporate operations will remain. Food Delivery: Swiggy’s second-quarter revenue rose 36% year over year to Rs 7,571 crore, while its net loss narrowed to Rs 922 crore; its food-delivery business was profitable, but newer ventures weighed on results. Food Affordability: Nigeria approved a 90-day plan to improve food affordability, while UAE retailers say they will hold prices on staples and absorb some cost increases amid supply-chain disruption.

Restaurant Growth: Teriyaki Madness posted a 10.3% same-store sales gain and 5.5% traffic growth in the third quarter, opening nine locations and entering three new markets as rivals’ traffic fell. Sustainability: Danone is turning yogurt-production waste at its Ohio plant into biogas for factory use, part of efforts to cut emissions as output expands. Beverage Results: Boston Beer’s third-quarter revenue slipped 3.2% to $520.1 million and shipments fell 4.9%, though gross margin improved. Manufacturing: Nestlé plans to close its Solon, Ohio, factory by the end of 2027, eliminating about 370 manufacturing jobs while retaining corporate and R&D operations locally. Food Policy: MAHA adviser Calley Means resigned amid reported frustration over delays to reforms, including defining ultra-processed foods. Farm Economics: The American Farm Bureau says farmers receive about 5.8 cents of each food dollar, underscoring why higher grocery prices do not necessarily mean higher farm profits.

Retail: Sainsbury’s lifted its full-year profit guidance after grocery sales grew 2.9%, but warned of a tough Christmas for squeezed households and rising producer costs. Waitrose, meanwhile, opened its first full-line supermarket in eight years and announced four more sites as part of a £1 billion investment plan. Ingredients: Kerry reported 3.6% sales-volume growth for the first nine months and launched a €300 million share buyback, citing strong food-service innovation and retail product renovation. Beverages: Sri Lanka’s Samagi Spice Exports has launched SPICEUP, a cinnamon-based drink range, while UK firms Prism and The First Round are offering an end-to-end development service to help brands test and launch new drinks. Food Security: Malaysia’s planned agro-bio zone aims to boost grain-corn production and reduce imported animal-feed reliance. In India, shrinking farms, rising input costs and climate threats are intensifying pressure to build stronger agricultural value chains; Lagos is also targeting transport, storage and distribution gaps that drive food prices.

Trade & Costs: Irish pigmeat export value fell 24% in August, even as beef and dairy exports rose 8% and 8.5%. U.S. importer Gellert Global is suing over 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, citing pressure on food costs. New Zealand’s annual inflation hit 3.7%, driven largely by fuel. Restaurant Outlook: U.S. quick-service traffic fell 2.6% last quarter, with major chains facing sluggish sales and a tough earnings season. Wendy’s is turning to a new meal deal to bring customers back. Beverage Finance: Westrock Coffee secured $600 million in five-year credit facilities, increasing liquidity and reducing required loan payments over the next year. Agriculture & Aquaculture: Uganda plans to provide 10,000 tractors over five years to expand mechanised farming. The EU’s 2040 fisheries and aquaculture vision is drawing criticism over plans that could increase pressure from carnivorous fish farming. New Food Opportunity: In New Zealand, a Māori community is turning invasive undaria seaweed into an export product, creating eight local jobs.

New Entrants: Flipkart is testing its Eat-In by Minutes food-delivery service with more than 8,000 employees in Bengaluru and reportedly aims for a public launch by month-end, challenging Zomato and Swiggy. Beverage Expansion: Coopers Brewery is adding ginger beer to its range ahead of summer, using contract production in Sydney because its Adelaide brewery is at capacity. Restaurant Deals: KFC will replace Pepsi with Coca-Cola at roughly 3,700 US locations from 2027, ending a nearly 40-year partnership. Supply Resilience: Malaysia’s poultry sector is expected to stay steady on demand and domestic production, but imported feed leaves producers exposed to global grain and freight costs. In the Philippines, El Niño damage to agriculture has reached ₱6.8 billion, prompting calls for a long-term contingency plan. Costs and Compliance: The UK Food and Drink Federation warns that price pressures persist, while Bangladesh will require registration or licences for food businesses from November 1. Product Innovation: Matcha is moving beyond drinks and desserts into savoury dishes, as brands tap consumer appetite for eye-catching, social-media-friendly foods.

Trade and Market Access: Canada’s agriculture minister used G7 talks in Paris and meetings in Brussels to pursue stronger market access and investment for the country’s agri-food sector. Separately, Canadian cheese importer Gellert Global sued over U.S. tariffs, saying it has paid more than $520,000 in duties and faces disrupted supplier relationships. Food Supply Costs: Shipping disruption and drought are raising fresh concerns about food prices into 2027, while risks to fertilizer supplies threaten harvests. Food Safety: The USDA issued its highest-risk recall for 1.58 million pounds of hot dogs, bacon and deli meats. Aquaculture Investment: New York added $6.5 million to a Long Island shellfish hatchery project, bringing state funding to $16.5 million to expand support for oyster and clam farmers. Digital Delivery: Flipkart is testing a food-delivery service that could challenge India’s established platforms. Beverage Deals: KFC has chosen Coca-Cola as its U.S. beverage partner, ending its longstanding PepsiCo deal.

Supply & Policy: Malaysia is considering new measures to curb a glut of imported vegetables and protect local growers; imports currently do not need farm-practice certification equivalent to Malaysia’s myGAP. Digital Commerce: Danone is aligning teams around AI-powered retail, aiming to be “trusted by machines and desired by humans.” Flipkart is piloting food delivery with a dedicated Ekart fleet, positioning itself to challenge Zomato and Swiggy. Dairy: MilkPEP’s new Milkscape platform gives processors and retailers access to market data to spot trends and win shelf space as milk sales show signs of growth. Packaging: Cirkla, Belmark and Ossid have launched resealable lidding for fibre trays, targeting fresh protein, produce and ready meals. Beverages: KFC has named Coca-Cola its U.S. beverage partner, ending its longstanding PepsiCo deal. Market Pressures: Shipping disruption and drought are expected to add to food-price pressure into 2027.

Labor & Catering: Japan is considering reopening foreign-worker visa applications next April for caterers serving hospitals and care homes, where companies report widespread staffing shortages. Affordable Processing: Nigeria’s Halba Foods plans smaller rice and cooking-oil packs to reach cash-strapped consumers, alongside expansion across West Africa. Trade & Wine: The India–New Zealand trade deal will gradually cut tariffs on eligible NZ wine from 150% to 25% or 50% over a decade, with added protections if India grants another country better terms. Beverage Partnerships: KFC has chosen Coca-Cola as its U.S. drinks supplier, ending a longstanding PepsiCo arrangement. Food Costs & Supply: Shipping disruptions and drought are adding to food-price pressure heading into 2027, while sulfur shortages pose a further threat to global food supplies. Safety & Regulation: Indonesia extended the deadline for mandatory halal certification of food and beverages to 2028; Texas has sued Gerber over alleged heavy metals in baby food.

Food Prices: Grocery inflation in Ireland rose to 4.69%, while shoppers made more frequent, smaller trips and relied more on promotions. Gaza Aid: Funding shortfalls have forced the World Food Programme to cut monthly food assistance for 500,000 Palestinians, halve rations and reduce hot meals as hunger remains severe. Corporate Leadership: Lindt has ousted CEO Adalbert Lechner after a sales slowdown, with former chief Dieter Weisskopf returning temporarily while the company seeks a successor. Climate Resilience: The Philippines’ agriculture department proposed a ₱61.99 billion plan to protect farmers and food supplies from El Niño, though some measures remain unfunded. Trade & Growth: Irish meat exporters reported strong buyer interest at SIAL Paris, while Origin Agritech signed a three-year exclusive corn-seed distribution deal in China’s Shandong province, receiving an initial RMB 2.9 million payment. Food Safety: India’s FSSAI has proposed revised pesticide-residue limits for tea, adding to regulatory moves aimed at strengthening food standards. Food Systems: A new look at Africa’s food economy highlights how gaps in storage, processing, transport and finance can leave farmers without fair markets even as food insecurity persists.

Farm Pressure: Scottish farmers warn that energy costs, labour shortages, extreme weather and market swings are squeezing businesses; average profit from farming was just £500 in 2024–25. The union is seeking emergency energy support and stronger safeguards for domestic production. Food Safety: India’s FSSAI has proposed new pesticide limits for tea and a ban on added sucrose and fructose in foods for infants up to six months, pending consultation and final approval. Prices: Foodstuffs says annual food inflation across its New Zealand grocery basket was 1.6% in September, below the national 2.4%, but a weaker currency and rising fuel costs are adding pressure across supply chains. Dairy Exports: New Zealand’s dairy companies are urging the next government to back trade access, infrastructure, energy and science-based regulation, as the sector looks to build on export earnings that reached NZ$28.3 billion in 2025. Lower-Carbon Menus: A World Resources Institute report says institutions serving more plant-forward meals are cutting food-related emissions, though cost and consumer preferences remain hurdles. Packaging Innovation: Swedish firm Yangi is bringing its waterless, dry-moulded fibre technology to the US market, targeting food trays and lids with lower energy use and carbon emissions.

Food Safety: India’s FSSAI issued notices to Nestlé India and Hindustan Unilever over product claims, while a separate Maharashtra probe alleges expired food re-entered the supply chain through contractor networks involving Reliance and Blinkit. Farm Economics: Scottish farmers are warning that high input costs, labour shortages and extreme weather are squeezing production; the average farm earned just £500 from agricultural activity in 2024–25, prompting calls for emergency energy support. Retail Trends: UK food-to-go sales are forecast to reach £24.9 billion in 2026, with convenience stores leaning on meals, premium add-ons and value offers to drive growth. Regulation: India’s food regulator has proposed banning added sugar in foods for infants up to six months old. Food Security: Lagos unveiled a plan focused on technology, farmer investment, storage and reducing post-harvest losses to improve affordability and nutrition.

Food Safety: India’s Maharashtra FDA has named officials from Reliance and quick-commerce firm Blinkit in a probe alleging expired products were not properly destroyed and may have re-entered the food supply chain. Farm Investment: Ogun State is distributing inputs, equipment and digital tools to 10,000 rice and cassava farmers, aiming to raise production and strengthen food security. Nutrition Rules: India’s FSSAI is proposing a ban on added sugar in foods for babies under six months and tighter pesticide-residue limits for tea. Beverage Rivalry: KFC will replace Pepsi with Coca-Cola across about 3,700 U.S. restaurants by spring 2027, ending a partnership that began in 1986. Cocoa Trade: Malaysia’s cocoa and cocoa-product exports rose to RM18.33 billion in 2025, but the country still relies heavily on imported beans, prompting plans to expand local growing and higher-value products.

Infant Nutrition: India’s food regulator has proposed banning added sucrose and fructose in products for babies up to six months, removing an allowance under current rules. Food Safety: FSSAI is pursuing prosecution of Priyagold biscuit maker Surya Food & Agro after inspectors allegedly found cattle-feed bran in production and serious hygiene lapses; its manufacturing licence was suspended. Industry Growth: Kyrgyzstan’s food, beverage and tobacco output rose 9.4% year on year to 92.7 billion soms in January–September, led by bakery and beverage production. Wine Sector: Catalonia paid nearly €16.9 million in aid this year to support vineyard renewal, winery investment and exports. Beverage Deals: KFC plans to switch its US restaurants from Pepsi to Coca-Cola starting in January 2027. Analysts estimate the account represents about $500 million in annual PepsiCo sales; financial terms were not disclosed.

Retail Disruption: A cyberattack hit refrigeration systems at about 700 French supermarkets, spoiling food and exposing the risks of internet-connected store equipment. Food Costs: In the Philippines’ Bukidnon province, rice inflation reached 38.3% in September, driving food-price pressure on poorer households. Food-System Investment: Canada is putting C$50 million into food-processing innovation, while BC Food & Beverage is advancing plans for a large distribution, processing and innovation hub near Vancouver. Nutrition & Regulation: World Food Day calls renewed attention to hunger and affordability; advocates in Nigeria say food security must include access to safe, nutritious food, while Asian governments face pressure to strengthen food-label rules. Beverage Deals: KFC will replace Pepsi with Coca-Cola in its 3,700 U.S. restaurants from January 2027, a major brand switch in the restaurant supply chain.