News & Analysis on the Dairy Industry & Markets
The New Zealand government and dairy industry have jointly committed NZD45.85m (USD26.57m) to a seven-year programme aimed at breaking a productivity plateau that has stalled the sector while accelerating environmental gains
The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
As margin pressures intensify, Ireland’s dairy sector is moving away from commoditised dairy to value-added formats
UK dairy farm numbers have fallen to below 7,000 for the first time, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Border closures designed to contain the outbreak are disrupting trade and leaving producers at risk of financial loss
The border closure between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has raised concerns over potential disruption to coffee trade - but is there a risk to global coffee prices?
The White House and Congress are working together on a number of efforts to boost domestic production of fertilizers as farmers struggle to keep up with higher input costs
As emissions targets reshape breeding priorities, UK advisers warn that a narrow focus on efficiency risks sidelining animal health and resilience
High rejection rates and a tight 80-day filing window are turning what should be straightforward IEEPA tariff refunds into a high-stakes, error-prone process for small and mid-sized CPG brands
FHA 2026
South East Asia has all the parts in place to emerge as the key halal growth market for food amid the Middle East conflict — but will the region be able to grasp this opportunity?
Higher fuel and fertilizer costs tied to Strait of Hormuz disruptions pushed at-home food prices up 0.7% in April, while consumers increasingly weigh purchases item-by-item in search of value
Calbee’s decision to strip colour from its packaging amid naphtha shortages is an early warning that the Iran conflict is beginning to fracture the petrochemical supply chains underpinning the global food industry
Nutrien’s first-quarter results point to a fertiliser market stabilising under geopolitical strain, with record potash volumes and resilient retail performance helping offset continued pricing and margin pressures across nitrogen and phosphate
Farmers are feeling the pinch from higher fertilizer and input prices, driven in part from Iran war-induced volatility
The growing number of regulatory approvals for human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in infant formulas is set to fuel product innovation and drive more affordable pricing in the long run.
FDA’s infant formula test found mostly trace contaminants, but without standards, enforcement or pre‑market testing, the data leaves critical questions unanswered
In this next phase, marketers aren’t abandoning retail media – they’re simply demanding that it grow up
Rising input costs and shrinking export markets are backing Asian farmers into a corner and locking in lasting consequences on the region’s next harvest.
Ibotta data shows states prohibiting the use of SNAP funds to buy ‘unhealthy’ products are reshaping sugary beverage and snack demand
As butter prices collapse, farmers are feeling the sting – but it’s not all bad news for the industry at large
New research emerging from New Zealand’s dairy sector says calf fertility timing influences milk production, labour, operating costs and the long-term sustainability of dairy businesses.
Food and drink brands are fast losing ground to private labels. But they can still win
China beats the U.S. in feed production, while Brazil is the third-largest feed producer
Candy companies increasingly are treating the freezer as a growth channel – one that allows gummies, chews and fruit candies to evolve into entirely new frozen formats
The escalating Middle East conflict is pushing food inflation, energy prices and consumer confidence to a breaking point
High oil prices hit prices at gas pumps straight away. But how long will it take for food and beverage prices to rise?
Farmers around the world are feeling the impact of the Iran war in higher fertilizer prices – which could remain elevated even after a peace deal
The price of oil and transport dominates headlines: but food and beverage companies need to anticipate other potential impacts
Agility is key for the foreseeable future
Iran shockwaves and abundant dairy product availability are putting pressure on farm margins – but when will milk production slow?
A two-week ceasefire is now in place in the war between US-Israel and Iran, but much is still uncertain about how long-lasting the impacts of damage done thus far will be and what still lies ahead for the global food sector
Dairy SMEs are adopting big-business risk strategies as fuel shocks rattle the industry
From India to Japan, protein is fast becoming a staple in functional food products, with consumer-packaged goods companies incorporating it into their products or investing in smaller outfits specializing in protein products.
Milk oversupply is crushing prices, but 2026 could reward dairy players that pivot fast into natural protein and functional gut‑health innovation
The two food majors go way back: now, they are expanding their alliance to exploit fresh growth opportunities
The New Zealand co-op’s next growth phase is backed by protein and cheese demand: but tensions in the Middle East could shake performance later this year
The military standoff between the US, Israel and Iran drags on. Its impact is testing global dairy’s resilience
Trump administration policy will remove up to 5% of the trucking workforce – threatening freight capacity and food prices as litigation and state pushback unfolds
After a slow start, Asia’s GLP‑1 weight‑loss market is poised for explosive growth as China and India tackle obesity and food and drink brands race to become essential GLP‑1 companions
Feed millers in Asia are holding back on new purchases as the Iran war drives freight costs and corn prices higher, with buyers monitoring how long the disruption in shipping and fuel markets will persist.
Shoppers strive towards healthier diets – but are their aspirations turning into action?
New Zealand’s dairy sector is bracing for sweeping reforms in gene technology, methane targets and resource management that will shape its journey towards responsible growth, says Dairy NZ.
Opinion
No one expected plain sailing in 2026 – but a fresh conflict in the Gulf introduces new variables
The 2026 Farm Bill moves out of committee amid bipartisan support, industry praise and mounting consumer and environmental pushback.
The sudden closure of the Strait of Hormuz is triggering immediate ripple effects across global food markets
Tech driven innovation is growing the potential of functional dairy, repositioning the category as a strong player in the global functional foods space
The ongoing tensions in Iran could disrupt supply routes and drive volatility across key food commodities such as rice and meat
New food safety measures and stricter border checks are coming for China
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has approved a new methodology enabling livestock producers to earn carbon credits by feeding cattle methane-reducing additives.
The decision is likely to spark a wave of lawsuits from businesses across the food and beverage industry and beyond