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...

Day 11: Trump Says Iran War Could End “Very Soon,” But Not This Week

On the 11th day of the US–Israel war on Iran, Tehran endured what officials described as some of the heaviest overnight bombardments so far.

Speaking on Monday, US President Donald Trump commented that the war could end “very soon,” but noted that it would not be over this week. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that Iran would continue fighting for as long as necessary, casting doubt on Trump’s claim that the war may cease in the near future.

Crude oil prices fell more than 10% Tuesday...

New FMI Research Reveals How the Food Industry Is Supporting Consumers’ Evolving Health Priorities

Today [February 26, 2026], FMI – The Food Industry Association unveils the findings of the 2026 Report on Food Industry Contributions to Health & Well-Being following the recently released Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) and ahead of National Nutrition Month®. The report offers insights into the industry’s efforts to serve as a destination for health and well-being and drive meaningful progress by providing grocery shoppers with products, resources and services that support their individual health goals...

Secretary Rollins Announces $263 Million Food Purchase to Support US Producers 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intent to purchase up to $263 million in dairy and agricultural products from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need. With this action, the Trump Administration is bolstering American prosperity by supporting American agriculture, rural communities, and those in need of nutrition assistance...

FMI Statement on January CPI Food Price Numbers

Today, FMI – The Food Industry Association commented on the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which show a 0.2% rise in food-at-home prices for January and a 2.1% increase over the last 12 months. FMI Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig offered the following statement.  

“Today’s CPI data is welcome news from the spike we saw in December and suggests that food price inflation continues to moderate, albeit on an uneven path toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. While categories like cereals and bakery products, animal...

Kroger Adds 24 New Items to Simple Truth™ Protein Line

As health and wellness continue to drive dining and purchasing trends, consumers are increasingly looking for ways to strengthen their nutrition, adding protein wherever possible.

In response, brands and foodservice operators are finding new ways to manipulate macros and help consumers pack in more protein without sacrificing taste or affordability.

"As customers focus on their wellness goals in the new year, they are looking for high-quality options that fit their lifestyles and budgets," said Ann Reed, Group Vice President of Our Brands at Kroger.

FMI Statement on December CPI Food Price Numbers

Today [January 13, 2026], FMI – The Food Industry Association commented on the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which show a 0.7% rise in food-at-home prices for December and a 2.4% increase over the last 12 months. FMI Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig offered the following statement.  

“Today’s CPI numbers reflect the ongoing challenge of bringing food inflation under control. Overall inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, and food prices also disappointingly reflected...

Kroger Reveals Food Trend Predictions of 2026

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced its top six food trends for 2026, predicting customer behaviors and anticipated popular products for the new year.

Developed by Kroger's industry-leading team of food experts, the trend predictions offer a complete forecast of what customers will be craving in 2026.

"The way our customers eat will be more dynamic than ever this year as they look to elevate everyday meals, snacks and treats with bold flavors, functional ingredients and culinary creativity, delivering a premium experience for less," said Ann Reed, Group Vice President, Our Brands for Kroger. "Whether it's a protein and fiber...

EU Updates Agricultural Import Procedures for Fruits and Vegetables

The European Commission has adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/2185. The measure amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/892. It simplifies procedures for fruit and vegetable imports. It also adjusts the calculation of standard import values. And it updates additional import duties. It was signed by President Ursula von der Leyen on September 10, 2025.

Under the new rules, standard import values are fixed weekly. Every Tuesday the Commission will set values for each product and origin. The figure equals the weighted average price notified by member states....

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...

Spanish Amfresh Group Acquires Fruit Firm Terramara Fresh in Mexico from Rioblanco

The two firms have collaborated since 2022, Amfresh said. The Madrid-based firm Amfresh specializes in producing citrus, table grapes, blueberries, and cherries, among other fruits and juices.  

"This next step unlocks significant farming expansion in Mexico, enabling us to extend production windows and meet the growing global demand for high-flavoured, disease-resistant, and high-antioxidant varieties across our table grape, cherry, and blueberry platforms," Alvaro Muñoz, CEO of Amfresh Group, said.

USDA Refines SNAP Requirements

As of today, the US Department of Agriculture plans to refine the requirements around government subsidized food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a USDA press release which cited the Trump administration's goal to "turn the tide" on chronic disease in America.

"Currently, SNAP retailers are required to stock three varieties of food in each of four staple food categories – dairy, protein, grain, and fruits and vegetables – 12 foods total," read the release which proposes doubling the number of food choices, closing loopholes allowing snack foods, and simplifying the standards for retailers...

Brazil Seeks Increasing Agricultural Exports To Central America and The Caribbean

Brazil has started a diplomatic mission to Central America and the Caribbean with the objective of strengthening Brazilian agricultural trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) said on Wednesday.

The meetings across the region will try to increase technical collaboration and expand Brazilian agricultural trade. Mapa also stated these meetings will serve to coordinate with the countries of the region to participate in the 23rd Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA), which Brazil will host in Brasília in November...

Princes Acquires Historic Liverpool Building as New UK Headquarters

Yesterday, leading UK food and drink company Princes announced its purchase of the historic, Grade-I listed Royal Liver Building (RLB) in Liverpool, England for £60 million (USD $70.33 million).

According to the company, the acquisition is part of Princes’ broader £83 million (USD $97.29 million) real estate plan, which includes the purchase of Symington’s Cross Green facility in Leeds, England, for £23 million (USD $26.96 million). Also, acquiring the Cross Green site will further embed Symington’s business, which Princes already manages and operates, into...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

Exclusive International Trade Centre Interview: Implications of Trump’s Tariff Regime

Julia Spies is the Chief of Trade and Market Intelligence for the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Switzerland. Spies and team analyze trade information and publish findings about market-specific trade intelligence on multiple online platforms, like Tradebriefs.intracen.org.

Recent shifts in the world of trade, including the latest round of United States tariffs and trade measures by other countries, has kept Spies and company busy, to say the least.

However, ITC members have watched trade measures, and in particular their impact on developing countries, long before these recent changes...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...