AGP Executive Report

Food Security & Inflation: Pakistan’s business leaders want micro-level stability via better storage, cold chains, transport and market systems as inflation stays sticky, while farmers warn climate change and possible Super El Niño could disrupt wheat and other crops. Climate & Land Use: Ogun State (Nigeria) says it planted ~5 million trees and restored forest reserves to curb deforestation, as global deforestation pressure remains high. Supply & Commodities: Canada’s bean market faces shortages, with black and pinto beans flagged as most at risk for 2026-27. Industry & Trade: Malaysia’s export growth is increasingly manufacturing-led, led by electrical and electronic goods, while India pitches food processing and AI to US firms. Food System Platforms: Global Food Week 2026 in Abu Dhabi (Oct 6-8) brings FAO and WOAH into talks on resilient, sustainable agrifood systems. Food Safety & Regulation: Taiwan rejects imported foods over pesticide/heavy metal/sweetener violations; India continues food safety crackdowns. Local Wins: Ireland’s Blas na hÉireann names Arán Bakery & Bistro (Kilkenny) supreme champion for spelt sourdough. Delivery Shake-up: Xoomi Go launches in Dubai with a 5% merchant commission cap and no surge pricing.

Food Security & Reserves: Jordan says it has strengthened food-security buffers, with wheat stocks covering about 6.4 months and contracted wheat adding coverage to roughly 9.6 months, while other staples sit at 2–4 months. Agri-Finance: Lebanon’s Kafalat launched a $47.6m direct-loan program for agri-food and rural agri-tourism firms under the World Bank-backed GATE project, aiming to reach about 390 enterprises. Retail & Pricing Pressure: In the US, shoppers are shifting toward store labels as high prices squeeze brand volumes, with private-label share projected to climb toward 25–30% over the next decade. Food Safety & Biosecurity: Ireland is entering a higher-risk avian influenza period as winter and migration extend virus survival; authorities urge strict biosecurity for commercial and backyard flocks. Packaging & Recycling: Tetra Pak rolled out a carton recycling platform in Việt Nam, aligning with circular-economy goals and EPR to expand collection and recycling networks. Automation in Food Manufacturing: The global stock of operational industrial robots topped 5 million, with AI and labor shortages accelerating factory automation adoption. G20 Food Politics: Indonesia and other G20 members rejected using food as geopolitical pressure, while the group split on US-led excess-capacity proposals.

Agriculture Budget Push: Philippines lawmaker Rep. Brian Poe urged a dedicated ₱100M allocation for the ube industry during agriculture budget reviews, arguing fertilizer funding shouldn’t be “unspecified per crop” and warning rivals could overtake local production. Policy & Supply Chains: Canada’s Seed Increase Unit will keep full seed production, processing and storage at Indian Head for 2027, then shift field operations to Saskatoon in 2028—an effort to protect Canada’s seed sector amid research-site closures. Food Manufacturing Expansion: SANY Nutrition Group completed a $30M Jonesboro plant makeover, targeting 150+ jobs and launching its protein snack brand “Beyond Resilience,” with Protein Crunch Bars already in hundreds of Walmart stores. Consumer Sentiment & Pricing Pressure: Coverage highlights worsening public sentiment toward McDonald’s, while separate commentary points to fast-food price hikes outpacing inflation—fueling backlash over value and portioning. New Product Launch: Cheez-It rolls out “Protein Original,” positioning 7g protein per serving as a savory, real-cheese upgrade for everyday snacking. Food Safety/Enforcement: Kuwait authorities arrested three suspects accused of manipulating weights of subsidized food supplies and reselling deducted quantities. Global Trade Tensions: The U.S. stepped up pressure on China and others over industrial overproduction at the G20, with “excess capacity” tied to impacts on U.S. manufacturing and investment.

Agri-budget push (Philippines): Rep. Brian Poe urged lawmakers to earmark ₱100M in Budget 2027 specifically for the fast-rising ube industry, arguing fertilizer funding should be crop-targeted to prevent rivals from overtaking production. Food policy & land protection (Malaysia): Malaysia’s agriculture ministry urged states to gazette padi-growing areas after rice self-sufficiency fell to 54.3% in 2025, with reliance on imported rice still high. Local market empowerment (Malaysia): Perlis FAMA wants Budget 2027 to expand grants, training, packaging/labeling and digital marketing for IMAT food entrepreneurs, plus stronger purchase interventions during oversupply. Dairy capacity bets (Europe): Arla plans €63M to expand Skyr and cottage cheese output in Germany and Sweden through 2028 as protein dairy demand keeps accelerating. Dairy demand signals (Puerto Rico): Census-linked population decline and aging are already reshaping supermarket buying patterns, with smaller households buying less food. Food security logistics (Indonesia): Bulog says it distributes about 4,000 tons of rice daily to stabilize prices and is speeding delivery to reach retailers faster. UAE resilience agenda: Dubai’s food ecosystem gets a boost via the DM Food Elite program, adding a new food manufacturing category focused on safety, nutrition, sustainability and digital upgrades. Tech for food quality (UK): University of Aberdeen-backed Scensai won a top award for a handheld “electronic nose” that could help drinks makers spot quality issues earlier on the production floor. Ebola shock (Congo): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 4,000 deaths, with authorities warning that spread into new health zones is straining resources.

Food Policy & Labelling: Malaysia is considering an A-to-D front-of-pack nutrition grading system for packaged foods and drinks, aiming to push both consumers and manufacturers toward healthier reformulation. Supply Chains & Inflation: UK manufacturers reported stretched supply chains and rising input costs, with delivery times lengthening and higher prices tied to chemicals, energy and even food. Industrial Output (India): India’s factory sector grew, with factory GVA up 9.6% to Rs26.9 lakh crore in FY25 and employment rising 7.19% to 2.1 crore workers. Sustainability in Dairy Logistics: FrieslandCampina is switching milk transport trucks to biomethane (bio-CNG) via a multi-partner deal to cut CO2 emissions. Food Safety Enforcement: Taiwan’s TFDA fined a probiotic seller repeatedly over ads claiming it could reverse kidney disease, warning such claims can delay proper treatment. Protein-First Consumer Shift: Arla will invest €63m to expand skyr and cottage cheese capacity as demand for protein-rich everyday foods keeps accelerating. Trade & Food Security: India’s Piyush Goyal met the US trade chief at G20 talks, discussing an interim India-US trade deal while emphasizing “weaponisation of food” concerns. Agrifood Innovation: A review highlights how microbes can convert tannin-rich food waste into functional ingredients, turning harsh by-products into usable compounds.

Food Safety & Recalls: New York’s food lab system breaks down how inspectors and state scientists test ready-to-eat foods, milk, and other categories before recalls reach shoppers. AI Policy for Food Tech: Sen. John Curtis and Sen. Chuck Grassley back a bill to protect whistleblowers in the AI industry—aimed at stopping retaliation when workers flag legal, security, or public-safety risks. Industry Innovation: Niagara University’s Food Industry Center of Excellence Summit spotlights how AI, retail shifts, and new tech are reshaping food operations. Sustainability Data Pressure: Beneo and BrightWolves push portfolio-wide LCAs as EU environmental-claims rules tighten, raising the bar for ingredient suppliers’ transparency. Plant-Based Messaging: EU-backed research suggests consumers may respond better to vegetables/legumes and “taste/seasonality/locality” than to “plant-based” labels. Supply Chain & Costs: Rising diesel prices are squeezing farmers and food banks, adding pressure to food prices. Trade & Security: A Cornell study finds AI could improve food safety, but trust and secure data sharing are major barriers. Global Food Security: Malaysia doubles down on palm oil productivity and replanting to support long-term edible-oil supply.

Living Wage Push: Patagonia backs ACT to tackle living wages via national policy and industry-wide bargaining, arguing supplier factory action alone can’t fix pay gaps. Food Safety & Regulation: California signed a law enabling a non-ultra-processed food seal, while Maharashtra’s FDA tightened infant formula rules—banning influencer promos, samples and requiring prominent “Mother’s Milk is Best” notices. Cold-Chain Accountability: California also raised fines and emergency requirements for cold storage after a Boyle Heights fire left rotting meat/seafood and months of community stench. Retail Expansion: Food Lion is pursuing a second Moncks Corner store, filing permits for a new grocery at a high-traffic site. Supply Chain Under Stress: A UAE food chief warned shipping disruptions are a lasting shift, pushing the country’s food cluster to diversify corridors and link small makers to major retailers. Food Prices & Inputs: India cut edible oil import duties ahead of Diwali, with analysts expecting landed-cost relief that may protect snack pack pricing. Food Waste Focus: South Africa marks International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, spotlighting tech and smallholder support to cut losses. Corporate Earnings: Cal-Maine Foods reported sharply weaker Q1 results amid mix shifts toward prepared foods and specialty shell eggs.

AI in Private Brands: FMI says private-brand firms are early AI adopters, using it most for research (64%), plus efficiency (50%), marketing (44%) and product development (36%), with retailers leading on price optimization and agentic commerce. Gulf Industrial Push: Qatar is joining Bahrain’s “Made in GCC 2026” forum, targeting joint ventures in areas including food products and pharma as Gulf states deepen value-chain cooperation. Food Safety Under Fire: California’s CRN blasts AB 2030 for broad dietary-supplement restrictions that could confuse consumers and chill lawful products, while Texas AG action has pushed Plum Organics to adopt tighter heavy-metals testing and publish results. EU Deforestation Rules: Ireland’s proposed EUDR framework would bring €10m fines and domestic criminal offences tied to due diligence and record-keeping for deforestation-linked commodities. Dairy Loss Low: New Zealand research finds only 1.8% milk loss at farms and 5.5% at processors, driven by better risk-sharing and excess-milk trading. Hunger Demand: Second Harvest in Wisconsin convenes partners and policy makers as food insecurity hits 1 in 5 children. Hospitality Pressure: Australia’s rate hikes are expected to hit restaurant traffic as consumers trade down and cut visits.

Agrifood Exports & Supply Chains: Egypt says sustainable food industries are driving growth, with food exports hitting about $6.9bn in 2025 (up from ~$4.1bn in 2021) and grain storage expanding under the National Silos Project. Trade Barriers: Sri Lanka’s exporters warn that processed-food health/phytosanitary certification delays are holding shipments back, including cases stuck for months due to documentation wording and approval differences. Fertilizer & Food Security: KBR selected for SABIC Agri-Nutrients’ 3,500 MTPD ammonia plant in Saudi Arabia, aiming to expand urea capacity and support global fertilizer supply. Food Safety & Labels: India’s Supreme Court is weighing challenges to FSSAI’s red warning label timeline, with food giants urging a rethink over confusion and labeling rules. Local Food Systems: Philippines’ DTI Iloilo launched Artesanias de Iloilo, bringing 96 MSMEs (including coffee, cacao and processed food) to connect producers with bigger markets. Climate Pressure on Food: South Africa reports low food inflation (0.7% in August) but flags El Niño drought risks ahead. Waste & Packaging: Cambodia’s Plastic Reboot Cambodia targets single-use plastic upstream, focusing on food, beverage and tourism sectors. Industry Finance: Australia’s RBA hiked rates to 4.6%, adding pressure to retail and food affordability.

Forestry & Food Security: FAO’s COFO session urged governments to better integrate forests into food security and development policy, highlighting how forests underpin livelihoods, protein intake, and climate resilience. Halloween on Menus: Pizza Hut and Dave & Buster’s are rolling out early Halloween-themed food and drinks, betting on seasonal demand and brand collabs. Ag Inputs in Brazil: FMC submitted a regulatory dossier for rimisoxafen, its dual mode of action herbicide, targeting resistant weeds across Brazil’s corn and soybean belt. Wellness Retail Awards: Canada’s CHFA honored UNFI Canada and multiple natural retailers/brands at its 2026 Industry Achievement Awards. FTC Pricing Debate: The FTC’s personalized pricing proposal drew nearly 3,700 comments, with food/retail groups warning disclosures could sweep up loyalty and promotions while consumer advocates want stronger limits. Food Safety Labeling Pressure (India): India’s Supreme Court questioned FSSAI’s front-of-pack warning label timeline, as food giants push back on red label design and rollout. Agri-Finance Boost: The World Bank approved $750m to transform Turkey’s agri-food sector, aiming to strengthen value chains and market access. PFAS Research: EPA awarded $15m to study how “forever chemicals” move through crops and livestock, with results meant to guide future food-system mitigation. Livestock Push (Indonesia): Indonesia earmarked Rp 17tn for an integrated livestock ecosystem to expand chicken, eggs, and milk supply.

Food Safety & Labelling (India): India’s Supreme Court questioned why FSSAI is taking “so much time” on front-of-pack warning labels, as regulators also step up raids and junk-food curbs tied to hygiene and health concerns. Retail Pricing Pressure (UK): Aldi’s CEO accused rivals of driving growth by raising prices, while Aldi said it will keep cutting costs and expanding its UK footprint despite flatter profits. FMCG Demand (India): NielsenIQ reports FMCG growth moderated in the June quarter, with rural volumes down and weakness spreading across more categories. Biosecurity & Health (Global): Imperial showcased its Global Biosecurity Network at UNGA, focusing on faster surveillance and response to emerging human, animal and plant threats. Biosecurity & Food Supply (Africa): A summit warned Africa is losing value by importing more food than it can produce, calling for better processing, storage, transport and long-term financing. Trade & Exports (Egypt): Egypt’s food exports topped $5bn for Jan–Aug 2026, led by frozen strawberries, edible oils and soft drink concentrates. Sustainable Feed (Insect Protein): Innovafeed and Protix argue industrial-scale insect protein can cut carbon and push for better assessment of real-world benefits. Agrifood Policy (Belarus): Belarus appointed a new antimonopoly regulation and trade minister, signaling continued focus on market oversight. Food Industry Compliance (UK): A Birmingham supermarket boss was fined after hygiene improvement notices weren’t complied with, including staff training gaps and a contaminated display issue.

Food Trade & Exports: Egypt’s food exports hit a record $5.128B in Jan–Aug 2026, up 10.8% year-on-year, with growth spread across more markets and higher value-added products. Food Safety & Regulation: India’s FSSAI crackdown is putting food safety hiring and enforcement in the spotlight, while regulators also moved against misleading claims and prohibited items on major e-commerce platforms. Livestock Health & Supply Chains: Namibia’s FMD outbreak in a previously free zone triggered movement bans and import/export suspensions for cloven-hoofed animals and products, with Bank Windhoek reaffirming N$2M to the national FMD support effort. Market Stability: Bangladesh’s commerce minister urged egg traders to avoid unjustified price hikes and artificial shortages as feed costs rise. Innovation-to-Market: Ghana’s CSIR will host an Oct. research conference and innovation fair aimed at turning lab work in agriculture and food security into commercial solutions. Consumer & Business Trends: Bhutan’s first ramen shop celebrates a decade in Thimphu, showing how international food concepts can adapt to local conditions. Industry Policy & Compliance: Kuwait’s court struck down penalties in delivery regulations, challenging how far regulators can go without explicit legislative backing.

Trade & pricing pressure: The US-Canada trade war is tightening the screws on protein supplies, with Canada hitting American whey with 50% tariffs and the US moving toward bans on many Canadian whey products—raising fears of higher prices for consumers and retailers. Food policy & retail rules: Scotland is set to restrict prominent placement and certain promotions for high fat, sugar and salt foods from Oct. 1, aiming to curb impulse buying and help tackle overweight and obesity. Agrifood investment & markets: Jeddah’s Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing 2026 opens this weekend, bringing 1,000+ exhibitors from 95 countries and 100,000 products across the full food value chain. Sustainability & circular economy: Jordan is pushing waste-to-energy and organic fertiliser projects to turn organic waste into power and soil inputs, linking waste management to food security. Local food & community: Ireland’s Boyne Valley Flavours group is urging more support for Irish organic produce, including a push to feature local organic food in school meals. Industry spotlight: KFC is testing a new late-opening “Open House” concept in Texas with breakfast and expanded drink options, signaling a bid to win back demand.

Tariff Pressure on Pork Imports (Philippines): The Department of Agriculture is seeking to restore higher tariff levels on imported pork to protect Filipino hog raisers, proposing staggered increases (from 25% toward 35%, then 40% by Jan. 1) as farmgate pork prices fall. It’s also pushing for a specific tariff line for frozen pork jowls, a growing import that’s undercutting local pork in retail and food service. Regenerative Agriculture Deal (Pakistan): University of Agriculture Faisalabad and Nestlé Pakistan signed an MoU to expand regenerative agriculture, food science and nutrition research, and workforce development, including setting up a Nestlé Learning Resource Center at UAF’s food science institute. Hospitality Cost Squeeze (UK): Insolvency experts warn hospitality firms face rising failure risk as wages, energy, food and business rates bite, urging directors to act early rather than hope margins recover. Diesel Hits Food Logistics (US): Michigan businesses reliant on diesel are adding surcharges as prices surge, raising the odds of higher costs across the food supply chain. Food Safety & Environment (Massachusetts): Oyster farmers say sewage-linked closures tied to heavy rain are repeatedly shutting shellfish beds, cutting sales for weeks and threatening farm survival. Consumer Spending Watch (US): Restaurants still lead discretionary spending, but diners are visiting less often and spending less per trip, pushing operators toward value and takeout.

Food Security & Climate: Bangladesh unveiled a five-year environmental and climate plan—25 crore trees, mangrove expansion, climate-resilient agriculture and tighter pollution monitoring—aimed at protecting livelihoods as heat and extreme weather worsen. Supply Chain Pressure: Kenya’s milk shortage is being blamed on inadequate rainfall cutting pasture and fodder, with formal deliveries down and some retailers rationing fresh milk. Cost Crunch for Distribution: UK wholesalers’ group FWD urged government action to keep food affordable, calling for depot protections, procurement support, waste reduction without added costs, and help for cleaner fleets. Hospitality Under Strain: A Durham restaurant, Notch Americano, announced it will close in November citing rising ingredients, energy bills and cost-of-living pressures. Food Industry Innovation/Marketing: Philips launched the “Airfryer matlab Philips” campaign with Chef Ranveer Brar, leaning on category familiarity to drive airfryer sales. Halal Ecosystem: MIHAS Awards 2026 expanded focus on future-ready practices, digitalisation and sustainability, adding Women in Export awards. Trade & Compliance: India’s MSMEs were told that EU tariff benefits won’t matter without readiness for ESG, CBAM and certification requirements.

AI in Fast Food: McDonald’s says it will roll out ArchIQ, an AI-powered restaurant system for drive-thru voice, inventory tracking and order accuracy, aiming to cut complexity and free labor for customer experience. Food Safety & Pet Health: UK and other reports tied to Years dog food are being scrutinized after the company said its testing found no food-safety issues, while noting buckwheat appears in a higher share of affected dogs’ diets than expected. Cattle Supply Chain Disruption: Cattle groups accuse ICE operations in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma of delaying shipments and “chilling” work across feedyards and meat supply chains, warning of higher beef prices. Checkoff Funding: The Cattlemen’s Beef Board approved about $39.5m for beef promotion and research for fiscal 2027, pending USDA approval. Food Insecurity Data: A new Virginia study finds 42% of households faced food insecurity, with Southwest Virginia highest at 55% (70% with children). Halal Trade Push: Uzbekistan looks to Malaysia as a “good teacher” to strengthen its halal certification system, working with JAKIM to build a certification body. EU Industrial Decarbonisation: The European Commission set terms for a €1bn auction to cut industrial process-heat emissions, supporting electrification, renewables and even nuclear tech. Labor Compliance Support: California Farm Bureau’s FELS expands help for farmers on workplace safety, pesticide rules and wage-hour compliance. Foodservice Leadership: Sodexo Campus U.S. names a new president/COO focused on listening and meeting rising student dining expectations.