AGP Executive Report

EU Food Safety: The European Commission is assessing Namibia’s foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and what it could mean for beef exports to Europe, with EU officials saying they’re ready to engage as restrictions and traceability questions develop. Trade & Tariffs: The EU has confirmed Brazilian beef will stay out for at least two years after concerns over the hormone oestradiol 17ß, with re-entry tied to assurances and audits. Plant-based Strategy: EU-backed research says “plant-based” messaging may backfire, with consumers more receptive to vegetables and legumes when brands lean on taste, seasonality and locality. Sustainability Claims: Beneo and BrightWolves push ingredient suppliers to move from product carbon footprints to full life cycle assessments as new EU rules on environmental claims raise transparency demands. Climate Pressure on Food: Switzerland reported another year of record glacier ice loss (5.5% in 2026), underscoring warming impacts that can ripple into water and food systems. Affordability & Prices: Ireland faces a food price warning as weather shocks could lift prices into 2027. Producer Support: Ireland reopened its Early-Stage Support for Producer Organisations scheme, offering grants up to €10,000 a year to help farmers strengthen bargaining power.

UK-EU Brexit Reversal Talk: Labour PM Andy Burnham says rejoining the EU is “on the table”, with options ranging from a customs union/single market to “going all the way”, ahead of a planned summit—an issue that could reshape UK food standards and trade. Eurozone Inflation Pressure: New data shows euro-area inflation jumping faster than expected, with France at 3.4% and Italy at 4.1% (plus Spain at 5.0%), driven by energy shocks—raising the stakes for the ECB and for food-cost inflation. Food Industry Profit vs Jobs: Poultry giant Moy Park reports record £126m profit after cutting 1,000+ roles, as it shifts production from 7-day to 5-day operations. Consumer & Retail Moves: Coca-Cola launches a UK limited-edition “Holiday Creamy Vanilla” in Original and Zero; Lidl rebrands pet care under “Max & Mila’s World” with tiered quality ranges. Food Safety & Society: Austria incident claims an Israeli family’s burgers were binned over Gaza-linked identity—sparking administrative proceedings and condemnation. Sustainability Angle: A push to treat plastic recycling as strategic infrastructure, not just an environmental service, to strengthen Europe’s material supply chains. Trade/Travel Practicalities: Brittany Ferries’ Portsmouth route via France from 1 Nov means passport rules for passengers.

EU Trade & Courts: The CJEU rejected Poland’s bid to suspend the EU–Mercosur trade deal, saying Poland hadn’t shown “serious and irreparable damage,” keeping the agreement on track. Deforestation Rules: Ireland’s plan to transpose the EU Deforestation Regulation would bring fines up to €10m and new domestic criminal offences across key food commodities like cocoa, coffee and soy. Food Security & Energy: Germany’s FM urged a Black Sea ceasefire to restart grain shipments before spoilage, warning disruptions could hit the Global South hardest. Agri-Food Trade: Morocco’s agri-food exports to the EU edged up 1% to €2.66bn in Jan–Jul 2026, while EU exports to Morocco fell 10%. Biotech & Food Allergy: DBV Technologies filed a U.S. FDA biologics license application for the VIASKIN Peanut Patch for children aged 4–7, seeking priority review. Coffee & Sovereignty: Venezuela’s president backed the Venezuelan Community Coffee Plan, citing subsidised diesel, fertilizer financing and lab upgrades to boost exports to Europe and the U.S. Food Safety: Plum Organics agreed new heavy-metals standards after a Texas AG investigation, including tighter testing and transparency for parents. Hospitality & Dining: Italy–China ties were described as “very positive,” with transport/public works and AI flagged as cooperation priorities. Local Openings: Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana will give away 3,000 free pizzas ahead of its Glasgow opening.

Retail & Affordability: Aldi says it’s pouring £900m into new stores and distribution plus £340m of price cuts on 1,000+ products to tackle UK food affordability. Food Waste Push: Lidl Cyprus renews its “Start your next shop from your fridge” campaign, citing EU food waste of 59m tonnes a year and urging shoppers to use what’s already at home. Nutrition & Habits: Mars research finds UK Gen Z and Millennials increasingly eat solo, but only 19% call those meals healthy—while many say they don’t get enough fibre. Water & Farming Pressure: Spain’s Donana wetlands are drying as illegal wells expand to feed Europe’s fruit and veg demand, raising fresh alarms for water use. Trade Watch (UK): The UK food and drink trade deficit hits £21.1bn in H1 2026 as exports fall and imports stay near record levels. EU Policy/Industry: Defra brings England’s multispecies livestock traceability system development in-house after £237m spent. Supply Routes: Ukraine and Germany discuss expanding EU “Solidarity Lanes” to protect post-harvest produce exports. Innovation: Innovafeed and Protix co-publish a whitepaper on scaling insect protein feed from pilot to industrial levels.

UK Spirits Trade: John Watling’s Rum signs a UK distribution deal with Lexir UK, with first commercial shipments expected in October 2026 after label and packaging updates for UK/EU rules. EU Food Safety & Trade: The European Commission confirms a ban on Brazilian beef entering Europe for at least two years, tied to assurances over hormone oestradiol 17ß. Animal Welfare at Sea: Irish Ferries faces a formal notice over alleged breaches of EU rules on transporting unweaned calves, with groups calling for enforcement and possible legal action. Food Prices & Supply Chains: Record EU diesel prices are pushing up freight costs and squeezing farmers and businesses, raising inflation pressure across road-dependent sectors. Retail & Consumer Trust: An Ohio inspection review of Kroger pricing errors found overcharges far more common than undercharges, with concerns about impacts on seniors and people of color. Health & Nutrition Research: New Irish research links coffee (including decaf) to shifts in the gut microbiome and potential effects on mood and stress via the gut-brain pathway. Oats Market Watch: Oatly, headquartered in Malmö, will report Q3 2026 results on October 28, 2026.

Food & Travel Trends: Winter “sun swaps” are shifting as Middle East uncertainty pushes Europeans toward the Americas, with Brazil bookings reported up sharply. Workforce & Food Supply: Germany’s labour market leans on migrants, with immigrant-background workers making up 27% of dependent employees and above-average shares in cooks (56%) and food production (55%). Retail & Consumer Health: Whole grains get a boost from a new review of trials linking higher intake to better cardiometabolic risk markers. UK Food Tech: Gene-edited bananas designed not to brown are nearing final approval for UK shelves, aiming to cut yield losses. Sustainability Ratings: EcoVadis medal progress is getting harder as standards evolve, with public reporting and stronger management systems key to moving up. Food Safety & Policy: PETA India urges a nationwide ban on meat ads from Oct 2, citing welfare, health and environmental concerns. Hospitality Culture: Some restaurants are pushing “no-phone” dining to bring back attention to food and conversation. Trade & Exports: Egypt’s food exports top $5bn in Jan–Aug 2026, with the EU a fast-growing destination.

Food Justice & Community: The Haven Supper Club in London’s Islington is being hailed as a “blueprint” for refugee support, pairing home-cooked Mediterranean meals with local music and a focus on belonging and empowerment. Food Innovation & Water Security: Kuwait’s KFAS-backed “Incubating Ideas and Innovations in Food and Water Security 2026” has seen five projects qualify for Spain’s IE University programme after a training and mentoring run. EU Travel Rules Glitch: The EU’s new Entry-Exit System is blamed for a false Schengen overstay accusation against a British traveller, triggering detention and a forced return. Food Trade Watch: Egypt reports record food exports of $5.128bn in Jan–Aug 2026 (+10.8%), with growth driven by more markets and higher value-added products. Sustainability & Food Systems: Slow Food’s Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2026 in Turin ends with a renewed political mandate linking food justice, biodiversity and peace. Energy & Clean Cooking: India’s Anganwadi clean-cooking rollout (induction stoves) is set to be showcased in Germany as a scalable model for nutrition and emissions cuts. Hospitality Spotlight: Wales’ Walnut Tree Inn wins top AA restaurant honours, spotlighting ingredient-led cooking and long-running service.

Coffee Cost Shock (UK): Assosia says a bag of Taylors of Harrogate’s Lazy Sunday ground coffee rose from £3.76 in 2021 to £5.56 today, up 48%, as global bean shortages and supply costs feed through to shelves and cafés. Food Security & Energy Pressure (Europe/UK): UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting urges households to stock up on tinned food, bottled water and cash ahead of winter and possible disruption, while reports also link fuel and energy costs to pressure on food prices. EU Humanitarian Aid (Global, food-linked): The EU announced a €700m+ aid package for crises worldwide, with €554.5m targeting Africa, as conflict and instability keep food systems under strain. Marine Heat & Fisheries (Europe): Multiple reports flag Europe’s intensifying marine heatwaves as a growing threat to fisheries and marine life. Health Warnings Move (India): India is pushing toward stronger front-of-pack warnings for sugar, salt and fat, forcing global brands to rethink products for a major growth market. Spanish Food Promotion (Qatar): Spain’s “Eat Spain, Drink Spain” campaign ran live cooking and product showcases at LuLu Mall Giardino Pearl, boosting visibility for Spanish ingredients. Weekly Insulin (health, not food): US approval of once-weekly insulin for type 2 diabetes may reduce injection burden, with EU already having a similar option.

EU Humanitarian Push: The European Commission announced nearly €710m in aid for displaced people and crisis-hit communities, including €380m for migration-related measures in sub-Saharan Africa and emergency food support for Palestine, Lebanon and Ukraine, plus extra funding for Ebola response and climate-driven food insecurity. Climate Pressure on Food Systems: Europe’s record heat is hitting fisheries and agriculture hard, with marine heatwaves and land droughts threatening supply and livelihoods. Food Security Diplomacy: Germany’s foreign minister urged Russia to engage on Black Sea grain exports as food shortages worsen, with talks framed as urgent for the Global South. Ultra-Processed Food Health: New research links higher ultra-processed food intake to greater type 2 diabetes risk, while lower intake and more activity cut risk even for people with high genetic susceptibility. Spanish Food Culture in Retail: Lulu Hypermarket launched an “Eat Spain, Drink Spain” campaign in Doha with live cooking and Spanish product showcases, underlining how cuisine and community travel together. Tourism & Heritage Appetite: UNESCO heritage growth and a surge in cultural travel are boosting demand for food-led experiences, with gastronomy tourism nearly doubling since 2021.

Marine Heatwaves: Europe’s seas hit their hottest summer in 45 years, with marine heatwaves disrupting fisheries from the English Channel to the Mediterranean and wiping out large kelp forests in northern Spain. Aperitif Push: Campari is making its biggest US bet yet with Sarti Rosa, a pink spritz-ready aperitivo aimed at younger drinkers. Food Exports Watch: Spain’s Comunitat Valenciana says agri-food exports reached €6.22bn in Jan–July 2026, about 26% of total Valencian sales abroad, with a positive trade balance. UK Food Insecurity: The Independent spotlights Britain’s food poverty crisis, with Amnesty citing 14m people facing food insecurity and warning costs are forcing people to cut meals. Retail Innovation: Tesco backs Henry Dimbleby’s Bramble Fund with £20m for food innovation, targeting healthier, more sustainable and affordable products. Fuel Pressure on Fishing: UK fishermen warn soaring fuel costs could push them out of business, calling for subsidies similar to EU support. Alcohol Labelling Fight (Belgium): Belgian brewers challenge a planned alcohol warning change, arguing it blurs responsible drinking and abuse. Travel Costs (Cyprus): Eurostat shows Cyprus airfares rose 5% in August while EU flight prices fell slightly year-on-year. Climate & Food Risk: El Niño is expected to lift global food prices and worsen commodity shortages, with impacts hitting the Global South hardest.

EU Industrial Decarbonisation: The European Commission set the terms for a €1bn industrial heat auction (IF26), using ETS revenues to fund process-heat decarbonisation, with bids due in early December and support for electrified, renewable and even nuclear options. Food & Health Research: New studies keep linking ultra-processed foods to higher chronic disease risk, adding pressure on EU and national food policy debates. Climate Shock for Food: El Niño is developing toward peak intensity in early 2027, with forecasts of floods, droughts and crop losses that could ripple into European food supply and prices. UK Fuel Pressure: Diesel has topped £2 a litre at many Scottish forecourts, hitting hauliers and raising costs that can feed through to food logistics. Nitrite-Free Meat Investment: Berna is investing to make nitrite-free frankfurters the “new normal,” expanding additive-free options in its product lines. Agrifood Trade & Investment: EU4Business met Armenian partners in Yerevan to discuss investment opportunities, including agriculture and agri-food, under EU support calls. Food Security Context: Global trade risks and energy-cost uncertainty are again cited as headwinds to recovery, with knock-on effects for supply chains.

Climate & Food Security: Russia has extended its ban on imports of a wide range of agricultural and food products from Western countries through Dec 31, 2028, while EU heat and drought are already cutting some crop yields and hitting potato harvest expectations. Heat Impact: A new Allianz study puts Germany’s summer heatwave economic losses at about €25bn, with Europe-wide excess mortality also rising sharply. Water & Agriculture Policy: The Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum opens in Rome (Sept 29–Oct 2) as water scarcity and extreme weather threaten food systems across the region. EU Food Trade Pressure: Britain’s food and drink trade deficit has surged to over £21bn, with industry warning it’s a wake-up call for protecting home-grown supply. Nutrition & Public Health: Whole grains are linked to lower cardiometabolic risk and weight reduction in a new European Heart Journal study, while UK holiday food education programmes reach 3,500+ families via cooking and nutrition workshops. Industry & Business Moves: Spain’s Congalsa buys full ownership of Lenger Seafood Vietnam to secure traceable Meretrix clam supply for European retail and food service. Beverage Sector: Bacardi’s Netherlands-based unit reports profit up 5% as Europe sales rise, even as North America declines. Fisheries & Tech: Türkiye and Norway sign a fisheries technology pact in İzmir to blend capture expertise with aquaculture and processing know-how.

Ultra-processed food scrutiny: A new large-scale analysis links just an extra 3½ ounces of ultra-processed foods a day to higher chronic disease risk, including cardiovascular events and cancer. Public health anxiety over chemicals: In Lancashire, a mother near a chemical factory says blood tests found raised PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and she’s campaigning for more action after families stopped eating home-grown vegetables. Food safety and trust: A UK TikTok backlash flared after a tourist’s “Auschwitz cafe” review claimed drinks tasted like “toilet cleaner,” sparking outrage over judging and pricing at a former death camp. Tourism and demand pressure: Bohol’s tourism slowdown is hitting bookings and jobs, with arrivals down nearly 22% in the first half of 2026 as travellers cite cost. Beverage culture, Italy-style: Sambuca is often served with coffee beans in Italy—tradition tied to “digestivo” rituals after meals. Food & drink M&A: A roundup highlights major deals reshaping the sector, from Mars’ Kellanova bid to other big moves in coffee, flavour and functional nutrition.

Competition Enforcement: Czech pet-food distributor Plaček Pet Products was fined CZK 36.438m for setting minimum resale prices for dog and cat food and pet supplies over nearly a decade, with the decision now final. Food Security & Policy: FAO says a new partnership with Azerbaijan is at the final stage, with seed production set to be a key focus after the country’s July seed law. Agriculture Digitalisation: Spain’s Ifapa is pushing Digisost.OLI, a 2030 project to digitise olive groves using tech plus governance and public-policy design to boost sustainability and competitiveness. Retail & Nutrition Brands: The Quality Group expands in the UK via Superdrug, placing ESN and More Nutrition products into 350+ stores and online, including protein powders, iced coffee and protein bars. Climate & Crops: Reuters reports El Niño could be among the strongest on record, raising risks of floods, droughts, extreme heat and crop losses. Consumer Health: A study highlighted by outlets says common sweeteners may alter gut microbiomes and affect glucose tolerance, raising metabolic-disease concerns. Invasive Pest Alert: Hungary’s food safety agency confirms the spotted lanternfly in the EU for the first time, triggering quarantine measures. Food Culture: South Africa’s Rooibos is featured in a Cape Malay koesister rework for World Koesister Day, blending heritage and innovation. Hospitality & School Meals: Germany showcases how local, partly organic school catering can stay affordable while cooking on-site for children.

EU Food Funding: The EU has signed €24m of new projects to strengthen Yemen’s food and agricultural systems, backing work with FAO, UNDP and Solidaridad plus technical help on export standards. Organic Push: The European Commission targets at least 25% of EU farmland farmed organically by 2030; Greece is already above the EU average at 17.2% of utilised agricultural land. Food Security Under Pressure: Ukraine’s grain exports remain at risk as Russia’s Black Sea blockade continues, with 51 countries backing calls for safe passage. Diesel Shock: Record diesel prices are feeding into wider grocery and transport costs, as politicians debate export limits. UK Alcohol Rules: UK Labour leader Andy Burnham floats a trial to allow alcohol in some English football stands, arguing the 1985 ban is outdated. McDonald’s Modernisation: McDonald’s plans an $8.5bn global upgrade, including hand-breaded chicken tests and new menu formats. F&B Business Finance: FEMSA issued CHF $300m in Swiss bond markets to improve debt flexibility. Cocktail Culture: The 50 Best Bars expands its 2026 rankings with a new 51–100 list.

Clean-Label Push at Anuga: U100 showcased additive-free dried fruits and “clean label” expectations as European buyers demand transparent ingredient lists. Ultra-Processed Food Health Warning: A new analysis links higher ultra-processed intake with higher risks for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and death. Food Security Under Strain: Extreme weather is flagged as Europe’s biggest food-security worry, while the Black Sea blockade threat raises the risk of a global food shock. EU Product & Greenwashing Rules: The European Product Act and new EU greenwashing rules are set to tighten product safety and marketing claims across food and drink. UK Agriculture Alert: Britain’s bluetongue cases (BTV-3) are surging, with officials warning clinical cases may emerge soon. Industry Moves: Butterfly agreed to acquire food packager Sabert, and Pinta acquired seven UK anaerobic digestion sites. Retail & Consumer Pressure: Co-op is axing jobs amid widening losses, reflecting cost pressure on UK food retailers. Energy Costs Hitting Food: OECD warns global growth resilience depends on a durable Middle East resolution, with energy-price risks feeding through to costs.