Industry News - wk ending 8 Jun '22
Potato News - North America
Potato News - Overseas
The First Estimates for the EU-04 Zone Potato Area in 2022 Shows an Increase
North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG) analysts recently announced their first estimates for the EU-04 zone potato area in 2022, talking about a 10,100 ha increase in the four countries (Belgium, The Netherlands, France, and Germany) by +2.0% to reach 507,300 ha. Compared to the five-year average, the increase is +0.9%.
Potato Area Rise in The Netherlands
In 2022, the cultivation area for ware potatoes in The Netherlands increased by 5,500 hectares (7.7%) to a total of 76,900 hectares. This is a shift, taking into account that the areas declined in 2020 and 2021.
Logistics News
More than 2% of the global freight capacity is at a standstill in Europe’s North Sea
According to Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IFW) expert, Vincent Stamer, more than 2% of the global freight capacity remains at a standstill in Europe’s North Sea, putting European ports in a “very unusual” situation.
Trade shifts east as West Coast port negotiations continue
Fearing a strike or slowdown at West Coast ports, importers are diverting cargo to ports along the East and Gulf Coasts as dockworker contract talks continue.
Food Industry News
Mid-year update: Most ingredient prices remain exorbitant
Flour prices (from both hard and soft wheat) peaked with wheat futures in mid-May at levels up about 55% to 80% from a year earlier. Prices have tumbled about 15% to 25% from those highs as wheat futures turned sharply lower in late June but remain well above year-ago levels with wheat prices still historically strong.
Younger consumers more likely to try gene-edited foods
Consumers under age 30 and consumers with incomes above $125,000 a year are less likely to avoid gene-edited foods, meaning foods created through technologies such as CRISPR, according to a study involving researchers from North Carolina State University, Iowa State University and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Those who view science and technology positively, trust agricultural biotech companies, and possess a good understanding of gene editing technology also are less likely to avoid gene-edited foods.
Front-of-package ‘warning’ labels coming to Canada
Foods high in saturated fat, sugars and/or sodium will be required to carry a front-of-package label, according to Health Canada. The label will include the symbol of a magnifying glass, intended to capture people’s attention, and act as a quick visual cue to identify foods high in the nutrients.
The FAO Food Price Index drops for the third consecutive month in June
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 154.2 points in June 2022, down 3.7 points (2.3 percent) from May, marking the third consecutive monthly decline, though still 29.0 points (23.1 percent) above its value a year ago.