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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.

GM seeds threaten food supply, claim researchers

11-Sep-2009 - Modern seed companies are reducing crop diversity – and this could have serious consequences for food supply as the climate heats up, researchers claimed at the World Seed Conference in Rome this week.

Climate change could devastate US crop yields: Study

01-Sep-2009 - Climate change could result in severe shortages of two of America’s most important grains, according to the authors of a new study published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Illinois raises taxes on candy and soft drinks

01-Sep-2009 - Illinois consumers will start paying higher taxes on some soft drinks and candy today under new rules from the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Food sector should prepare now for cap-and-trade, says report

21-Aug-2009 - Cap-and-trade carbon pricing could be particularly damaging to the food industry unless manufacturers start developing more efficient supply chains now, according to new analysis.

Private label sector continues to grow, says Nielsen

17-Aug-2009 - Sales of private label products are still growing, having “significantly increased” over the past year, according to new research from The Nielsen Company.

Private label growth driven by innovation, says Mintel

24-Jul-2009 - Private label product innovation has reached unprecedented highs and market share has rocketed as a result, according to market research organization Mintel.

Ocean Spray hails online auction as success

23-Jul-2009 - Ocean Spray has held its first online auction for its cranberry concentrate and claims it attracted “very strong participation”, with 34 buyers taking part out of the 37 who had registered.

Egg production prices to rise following new regulations

09-Jul-2009 - Egg prices may rise as producers are hit by new costs as a result of food safety measures.

Both GM and organic farming could help feed the world: Report

01-Jul-2009 - With the global population expected to reach nine billion by 2050, investment in both GM crops and organic farming could help to ensure a reliable food supply, says a new report from Deutsche Bank.

Senate probe finds excessive wheat market speculation

25-Jun-2009 - Excessive speculation on the futures market fuelled last year’s wheat price surge that led to higher prices for industry and consumers, according to the results of a year-long Senate investigation.

Search for value signals 100-calorie snack pack demise

29-May-2009 - Portion-controlled packs are falling out of favor with consumers as they increasingly seek value ahead of convenience, according to market research organization Mintel.

Food companies to be hit by higher grain prices

14-May-2009 - Food companies are likely to struggle with high grain prices well into next year, according to the USDA’s first crop projection report of 2009.

Developing solutions to fight food fraud

13-May-2009 - Adulteration of food proteins - as seen in the recent melamine scandal - is becoming a greater threat to industry as the food supply has become more globalized and economic crisis drives manufacturers to seek cheaper ingredients, says Jim Griffiths of US Pharmacopeia.

US soybean prices rise on tight supply

07-May-2009 - US soybean prices have risen on fears of tightening supply and look set to rise further as South America has suffered severe drought and US planting has been delayed due to unfavorable weather.

Private label purchase trend runs deeper than recession

23-Apr-2009 - Almost every household in America buys private label foods but their success is not as tied to the current economic crisis as many might think, according to new research from The NPD Group.

Recession raises direct-to-vat cottage cheese culture sales

20-Apr-2009 - Chr. Hansen has said that sales of its direct-to-vat cottage cheese cultures have been boosted by the global recession, as manufacturers seek ways to raise productivity.

Frozen foods renaissance could continue after recession

10-Apr-2009 - As consumers tighten their belts, many are stocking up on cheaper, longer-lasting frozen foods, rather than buying fresh foods that could end up being wasted – and market researchers say this is set to continue.

Whole grain sales set to rise on ‘sound nutritional science’

02-Apr-2009 - Whole grain sales have risen as consumers have become more aware of their nutritional benefits, a trend that looks set to continue for at least the next five years, according to a new report from Packaged Facts.

Donated milk powder to provide boost for US dairy

27-Mar-2009 - US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has announced that over 200m pounds of milk powder will be transferred to federal nutrition programs in an effort to stock food banks while benefiting stricken dairy farmers.

Cost-cutting consumers turn to cutting coupons

06-Mar-2009 - Consumers are increasingly cutting coupons to save money in the struggling economy, with redemption up ten percent in the last quarter of 2008 compared to the previous year, according to Inmar CMS Promotion Services.

Recession and melamine scandal hit US dairy exports

02-Mar-2009 - US dairy exports have been hit by lower global demand on the back of worldwide recession and the Chinese melamine scandal, according to a report from the Babcock Institute.

Bumper rice harvest will ease prices, says FAO

25-Feb-2009 - The rice shortages of last year look to be at an end, as farmers upped production this year to ease the tight supply situation, according to the latest market data from the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Peanuts at the ready for replacing recalled products

23-Feb-2009 - A glut of peanuts on the back of a bumper crop could come as a blessing for food manufacturers, providing a supply of peanuts for those who eventually wish to replace products that have been discarded.

Recession requires rethink as spending power shifts

10-Feb-2009 - Opportunities are emerging for food manufacturers to target the increasing number of lower income shoppers as the economy slows, according to a report from Information Resources Incorporated (IRI).

Recession is rebalancing organic supply-demand

09-Feb-2009 - The price of organic food ingredients is expected to fall in 2009, as the recession reduces demand for organics back in line with available supply, according to predictions from a specialist organic research firm.