Datassential Sees Familiar Flavors, Global Specialties Shaping 2027 Food and Beverage Innovation

Some of the food and beverage trends expected to shape 2027 are not entirely new. According to Datassential, several familiar menu items that have already reached broad adoption are gaining renewed momentum as operators find new ways to use them.

In highlights from its 2027 Trends Report, the market research firm said items such as banana, anchovy, mango, deli salads and the old fashioned are seeing a comeback, even though they are already well established. The company said these concepts are being refreshed through...

Day 13 of Iran War: Strait of Hormuz Tensions Continue, Brent Crude Tops $100 Again

US and Israeli strikes on Iran continued Thursday as the war entered its 13th day, while Tehran intensified retaliatory attacks that have unsettled global energy markets.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran could consider ending the war if its “legitimate rights” are acknowledged, reparations are paid, and binding international guarantees are put in place to prevent future attacks.

Maritime tensions are increasing around the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of tanker attacks off Iraq and drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf...

UNFI Identifies Key Trends Shaping Fresh Departments for Retailers in 2026

While shoppers are spending more deliberately, the fresh departments are still earning their attention. Categories including produce, floral, bakery, deli, specialty cheese, meat, and seafood are outperforming the rest of the store, with fresh product sales up 3.7% year over year*.

That performance reflects shifting shopper expectations: better taste, stronger nutrition, added convenience, and more transparency from the products they buy.

For retailers, success in fresh now depends on understanding these drivers and partnering with experts who can translate trends into execution on the sales floor.

Ron Selders, UNFI’s President...

Vietnam’s THACO, U.S. Fresh Del Monte Sign 10-year Banana Supply Deal

U.S. food group Fresh Del Monte has signed a 10-year banana supply deal with the Vietnamese firm Truong Hai Group Corporation (THACO), the companies announced.

Fresh Del Monte has agreed to buy 71,500 tons of bananas in 2026, or around 15% of THACO’s expected output, the company said. Under the agreement, the traded volume would rise over the 10-year term.

Fresh Del Monte plans to export THACO Bananas to Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and later the Middle East, it said...