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Food prices

Commodity prices have a knock-on effect throughout the food supply chain, from growers to the supermarket shelves. For formulators, the challenge is to reduce reliance on more expensive ingredients, but still deliver products that have the taste and texture consumers have come to expect.

Consumers’ cost cutting continues as food prices rise

07-Apr-2011 - Rising food prices are likely to cause consumers to hold on to cost-cutting recessionary shopping behaviors, according to a new report from market research organization The NPD Group.

Chocolate price hikes won't put off consumers, predict analysts

04-Apr-2011 - Confectioners will probably get away with increasing prices on chocolate bars without significantly denting demand because they are generally low ticket items bought as treats in an area with high brand loyalty, analysts have predicted.

IDFA outlines surge in US dairy exports

06-Aug-2010 - The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has reported a “dramatic surge” in US dairy exports over the past three months.

Too early to tell impact of high wheat prices on flour products

04-Aug-2010 - It’s too early to predict the impact of huge rises in wheat prices on European flour products such as bread and biscuits, according to the National Association of British & Irish Millers.

Coupon comeback could continue, says Nielsen

21-Apr-2010 - Coupons have made a comeback – and their use is likely to continue over the next several years despite a recovering economy, according to market research organization the Nielsen Company.

Majority of Californians support soda tax, poll finds

21-Apr-2010 - A majority of Californians support a tax on soda to help fund childhood obesity reduction programs, according to a poll carried out on behalf of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.

Dean Foods antitrust case to proceed, despite ‘structural issues’

09-Apr-2010 - A federal judge in Milwaukee has denied Dean Foods’ motion to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit that was filed against it by the United States Department of Justice in January.

Fonterra sticks by improved milk price forecast in trading update

24-Mar-2010 - Fonterra has claimed that ingredients prices are recovering and market confidence is returning as a group of US senators accuse the New Zealand-based co-op of holding a virtual monopoly of key internationally traded dairy commodities.

Sugar Policy Alliance renews call for increased imports

18-Feb-2010 - The Sugar Policy Alliance has renewed its call for Congress to revise sugar policy as strict import quotas have reduced the availability of refined sugar, thereby inflating prices, the organization says.

New Mexico food tax passes state Senate

16-Feb-2010 - The state Senate of New Mexico has voted to implement a food tax that applies to nearly 40 percent of foods sold in the state in order to help balance the state’s budget.

Subsidized healthy foods cheaper option to improve nutrition: Study

03-Feb-2010 - Subsidizing fruit, vegetables and milk for Food Stamp Program participants would be more cost effective to increase consumption than raising the overall level of food stamp benefit, according to a new study.

Report outlines climate change effects on US food production

18-Dec-2009 - Climate change is already affecting American food production, according to a report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), released to coincide with the Copenhagen climate change summit.

US concern rises over grocery spending

30-Nov-2009 - Nearly three-quarters of American shoppers are more concerned about the cost of groceries than they were six months ago, according to a new study from Health Focus International.

Government should urgently raise sugar quotas: Report

29-Oct-2009 - Food and agricultural consultancy Promar has added its voice to those calling on government to raise sugar import quotas, saying that uncertain supplies lock in high costs for manufacturers and consumers.

Scoular goes to China for cheaper, GM-free soy

12-Oct-2009 - Scoular has signed a distribution agreement with a Chinese manufacturer to secure a lower cost, non-GM supply of soy protein isolate for nutritional products and meats.

Northeast farmers accuse dairy firms of price fixing

12-Oct-2009 - A group of northeastern dairy farmers has filed a class action lawsuit against four milk marketing firms, accusing them of monopolizing the market and fixing prices.

US agriculture head on breaking dairy boom and bust

09-Oct-2009 - Restructuring may be needed to break cycles of boom and bust in the dairy industry, said the US agriculture secretary this week, soon after Congress approved a $350m emergency aid package.

Recession not driving ethical spending underground

06-Oct-2009 - Tighter purses are not turning consumers away from ethical shopping with interest in all things sustainable or humane thriving despite the recession, according to market researcher, Packaged Facts.

Food prices could triple with climate change: Report

01-Oct-2009 - Food prices could more than triple by 2050 as the climate changes, according to a new report from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Quotas ignore industry's sugar price plea

29-Sep-2009 - The USDA has set sugar import quotas at the minimum level required under World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, despite pleas from industry to increase quotas in an effort to pull down prices.

Cocoa price spike may favor Kraft over Cadbury

28-Sep-2009 - World cocoa prices have just hit record highs sparking suggestions that the resulting cost changes could aid the Kraft bid for Cadbury.

Health and natural keep US market resilient

25-Sep-2009 - Health and natural ingredients are driving growth in the US food and drink market, which remains dynamic despite the recession.

Private label: battle of the brands

24-Sep-2009 - Private label is continuing to steal market share despite a more stable economy, but brands are fighting back on the battleground of health and convenience.

Commodity price cuts push up ConAgra's profits

23-Sep-2009 - Lower ingredient prices and a more profitable product mix helped ConAgra Foods achieve a big profit increase in its quarterly results, while overall turnover slipped.

New report makes the case for nationwide soda tax

21-Sep-2009 - The idea of taxing sugary beverages to reduce obesity and bring public health benefits has been raised again in a new report published in the New England Journal of Medicine.