ANALYSIS: Brazil’s Latest Tariff Blitz Set to Redraw US Beef Import Landscape

Washington’s sudden decision on July 9 to impose a 50% tariff hike on Brazilian beef imports, effective August 1, is rattling the world’s largest beef market and potentially disrupting one of its largest supply lines.  

Brazil accounted for nearly 30% of the United States (US) imported frozen boneless beef so far in 2025, making this tariff a seismic shock to American buyers and suppliers.

Brazil already faced a 26.4% out-of-quota tariff after taking a significant role in filling the   65,000 metric tons (mt) “other country” beef...

US Tariffs on Brazilian Imports Spark Cross-Commodity Concerns

US President Donald Trump’s recent move to raise tariffs on Brazilian imports to 50% starting August 1—up sharply from the 10% rate imposed in early April—has sparked concerns in global markets, with potential ripple effects across commodities like orange juice, beef, coffee, sugar, and seafood.

The trade measures, announced Wednesday, are raising alarms in export-dependent sectors and among US importers, with market participants saying the implications could be wide-ranging. 

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the country would respond to the newly announced tariff on Brazilian exports with reciprocal measures. Below, Expana analyzes the potential impact...

BayWa Confirms Most Severe Crisis in Company’s History   

BayWa has confirmed that the 2024 financial year was marked by the most severe crisis in the company’s history. 

“In the summer of 2024, BayWa AG found itself in a debt and liquidity crisis that threatened its very existence, whereupon comprehensive reorganization measures were initiated and a reorganization opinion on the future viability and continued existence of the BayWa Group was commissioned,” the company said in its annual report. 

As part of its ongoing restructuring strategy, BayWa has sold a 47.53% stake in...

Mixed Wheat Prospects for Russia, Says Expana Crop Analyst

As of July 10, total wheat production in Russia (including Crimea but excluding the other Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine) is forecast slightly up by 1% compared to the 2024 harvest, at around 83.2 million metric tons (mt), up from 82.6 million mt in 2024 and below the five-year average of 87.7 million mt, said Aurélien Blary, Crop Analyst, Expana.   

According to Blary, the winter wheat harvest is picking up pace in Western Russia as rainfall is easing in the region.

Trump Announces August 1 Tariffs — Here's the Complete List

Global leaders are receiving news on their countries' US tariff rates this week, as President Donald Trump dispatched approximately 20 letters by Wednesday afternoon.

The tariff rates, which range from 20% to 50%, are set to take effect on August 1, unless new negotiations or trade deals are reached in the coming weeks. Trump signed an executive order establishing an August 1 deadline for implementing his “reciprocal” tariffs. He remained firm on social media, emphasizing that it marked the final cutoff for any new trade agreements...

Letter to Brazil: Trump Cites "Witch Hunt" While Charging 50% Tariff

US President Trump has charged 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports to the States, according to a letter to Brazilian President Lula.

This week, reciprocal tariffs were re-announced in the form of letters from the US Trump administration to trading partners who could not reach a deal within the previously granted 90-day pause. And what a fun week it's been for tariffs' "watchers on the wall."

Letters to 22 trading partners were sent with new tariff rates that will be implemented on August 1...

Trump Tariff Letters Continue to Roll Out; Philippines Faces 20% Tariff

President Trump has sent a new batch of letters to several countries, including the Philippines, notifying them of new US tariff rates set to take effect on August 1, giving them a short window to renegotiate trade terms before the deadline.

On July 8, Trump stated that a minimum of seven countries would be released, with an additional group to be released in the afternoon.

Despite multiple tariff implementation delays already, Trump was steadfast and set August 1 as a hard deadline in a social media...

Former USDA Economist Looks at How Trade Disputes and Geopolitics Are Reshaping Agri-Food

As global supply chains face intensifying pressure from geopolitical tensions, climate variability and shifting consumer demands, agri-food leaders are constantly rethinking their procurement strategies.

At Expana’s Agri-Food Americas event on September 23-24 in Chicago, these themes take center stage in the panel discussion “How Geopolitical Uncertainty, Tariffs, and Trade are Impacting Food & Ag”.

Conflict and policy shifts can destabilize your supply chain and disrupt sourcing. This panel will offer expert insights into international affairs so you can adapt quickly...

Kraft Heinz to Sell Italian Infant and Specialty Food Brands to NewPrinces

Kraft Heinz has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its infant and specialty food business in Italy to NewPrinces S.p.A., one of the country's leading food and beverage companies. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory review and approval, is expected to close by the end of 2025.

Under the terms of the agreement, NewPrinces will acquire several of Kraft Heinz’s legacy Italian brands, including infant food labels Plasmon, Nipiol, and Dieterba, as well as specialty food brands Aproten and Biaglut. 

Trump Letters Reveal August 1 Tariff Rates for Key US Trading Partners

The Trump administration was busy after the Fourth of July holiday, as the President sent out a litany of letters to US trading partners revealing what their tariff rate would be starting on August 1.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump and members of the administration announced that letters would begin rolling out showcasing new tariff rates for countries. The letters came at a rapid pace on Monday afternoon, with messages dispatched to the leaders of Japan, South Korea and South Africa, to name a few...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

US Pushes Tariff Deadline to August, Trump Administration Expects Surge in Deals

President Donald Trump said on July 6 that the US is nearing several new trade deals and that letters will be sent to trading partners by July 9, warning of increased tariffs set to take effect on August 1.

The move effectively extends the administration’s trade deadline from July 9 to August 1, giving Trump more time to finalize agreements. So far, the U.S. has signed just two deals—one with the United Kingdom and another with Vietnam, as Expana reported last week...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #16

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 #16."

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...

Statement on Recent Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreaks in Europe

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) acknowledges the rapid official notifications of two outbreaks of Lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Italy and France, as well as the details provided through their follow up reports. This marks the first-ever occurrence of the disease in these countries, highlighting the urgent need for heightened surveillance and coordinated response. Both countries have reported that they are already implementing measures to contain the disease in line with international standards...

From 2016 to 2024, WOAH with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the European Union, supported the coordination of a standing group of expert for LSD...

ANALYSIS: Latest UK Customs Figures Reveal Large Sheep Trade Growth In April

The latest customs report from HMRC shows that both imports and exports of Sheep meat in the UK saw significant y-o-y growth in April 2025. Sheep meat exports and imports were at 7,690 mt and 6,422 mt respectively, accounting for a 39.9% and 28.3% y-o-y growth. Market participants attributed this to the Easter Holiday that was celebrated later than the prior year, on April 20, 2025...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 30 - M&A in the Global Agri-Food Industry, June 2025 Overview

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals.

Today, we bring you up to speed with merger & acquisition activity in the global agrifood landscape that occurred in June 2025 as part of the monthly M&A focus series.

June 2025 M&A activity picked up marginally compared to previous months. The ongoing tariffs situation, looming deadlines, other trade disputes, and market uncertainty, have a role to play here. 

ANALYSIS: Irish Beef Market Under Supply Pressure

In June 2025, Ireland’s cumulative beef processing volumes are approximately 15,000 head above the same period last year. However, tightening supply across other European countries is placing significant upward pressure on beef prices. Processors are competing aggressively to secure sufficient cattle to meet both domestic and export demand.

As of mid-2025, Ireland’s live cattle exports are 20% higher than at this point in 2024, further contributing to the supply squeeze within the country. Meanwhile, key EU beef-producing nations such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands are experiencing herd reductions...

European Investment Bank, CaixaBank Set €180 Mln in Agricultural Loans in Spain

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the long-term lending institution of the European Union, and the Spanish bank CaixaBank have announced a new line of funding for small businesses and mid-caps in the agricultural sector of €180 million.

The funding will go to projects for the modernisation of the sector and rural development. The EIB believes the “operation will help to boost the competitiveness of small businesses and mid-caps" in the agricultural and bioeconomy sectors...

ANALYSIS: Supply Uncertainty Looms Over the UK Beef Market

UK beef production totaled 300,000 tons between January and May 2025, marking a 10,000 tons (3%) decline compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest data. Monthly output has consistently lagged 2024 levels, underscoring a persistent downward trend and increasing concerns over supply constraints in the second half of 2025.

Despite lower production volumes, slaughter rates remained strong in the first half of 2025. In May, prime cattle slaughter rose by 3% month-on-month to 178,000 head. Market participants suggest this uptick may reflect producers capitalizing on recent strong prices...

ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s May 2025 Beef Exports Surge 15.7% MoM to 49,281 mt

New Zealand’s beef exports rebounded in May 2025, posting a solid 15.7% rise from April to 49,281 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Stats NZ.

Volumes rose 6,676 mt month-on-month (MoM) driven by stronger shipments to the United States (US), China, and Canada. Modest gains to the United Kingdom (UK), Taiwan, and Japan also contributed to the higher May figures.

On the contrary, annual growth continued to be hindered by lower cattle kills. Yearly figures fell 10.2% or 5,581 mt, led by reduced shipments to China and Japan. Allocations to New Zealand’s...

ANALYSIS: YTD EU Egg Exports Down Amid Production Challenges and High Prices

EU egg and egg product exports have declined in the first four months of 2025, dropping to 148,161 tons (egg equivalent weight) from 154,704 tons during the same period last year. This marks a 4.2% year-on-year decrease, indicating a challenging period for the European egg industry. While some export markets such as the UK and Israel have shown growth, the overall trend is downward, with notable declines in shipments to Japan and Thailand and only marginal changes in exports to Switzerland.

The primary factor behind this export contraction is the significant reduction in EU egg production, driven largely by the impact of...

Poland, France Push Back Against at Mercosur Deal

Annie Genevard, France’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and Czesław Siekierski, the Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, met in Paris on Wednesday. After the meeting, both showed a united front against the EU-Mercosur deal.

France and Poland have been two of the most vocal opponents to the deal signed in December, after around two decades of negotiations. They argue that the deal will not be beneficial for EU agriculture, despite its possible positive effects in other sectors.

“To put it plainly: we cannot sacrifice agriculture...

Gartner Says Supply Chain Leaders Must Address Three Priorities Amid Impacts of Israel-Iran Conflict

To help organizations navigate the ongoing impacts posed by the Israel-Iran conflict, Gartner Inc. has identified three critical priorities for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) to implement now to secure their operations.

In response to the ongoing impacts from the conflict, CSCOs should:

1. Assess and mitigate their exposure to new global transportation bottlenecks
2. Prepare CFOs for continued supply chain cost volatility
3. Review supply chain resilience strategies

“As the conflict between Israel and Iran oscillates, CSCOs must leverage...

Diageo Agrees to Sale of Italian Facility to NewPrinces

Formerly known as Newlat Food, an Italian food and drink company now called NewPrinces bought 100% of the share capital for Diageo Operations Italy, according to a Diageo press release which specified the inclusion of the Santa Vittoria production facility.

The site produces a range of alcoholic beverages, ready-to-drink products, and low and no alcohol products, according to a Diageo spokesperson. 

The NewPrinces Group is already a leading player in the soft drinks market in the UK, with revenues of approximately €350 million in this category alone...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #14

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 #14."

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...

The Global Dairy Market Unpacked: Pricing, Production & Trade Trends

The dairy sector remains a cornerstone of the agricultural economies in the United States and the European Union. These regions make up 44.7% of global dairy milk production, dairy exports, and innovation in value-added products.

In 2024, the dairy market faced a series of complex challenges that tested its resilience and adaptability. Geopolitical tensions, climate-related disruptions, evolving trade policies, disease outbreaks, and shifting consumer preferences placed pressure on producers and processors alike. Additionally, inflation and global supply chain disruptions impacted trade flows and pricing stability...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #13

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 #13."

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...