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Shipping Woes Snarl Ingredient Supply Chains (Again)

Renewed shipping disruptions, including port congestion and refrigerated container shortages, are complicating ingredient supply chains. Weather-related issues like drought impacting the Panama Canal further exacerbate delays and costs, affecting global ingredient trading, especially dairy, meat, and frozen goods. BTG Suggestion Enhance your logistics planning. Build extra lead times into orders,...

Dollar Dip Recalibrates Ingredient Trade Flows

The recent weakening of the U.S. dollar has made American exports more affordable internationally, benefiting sectors like dairy and grains. Conversely, ingredient importers face higher costs, especially for products like cocoa and coffee priced in foreign currencies. Businesses are adapting quickly to these currency-driven market shifts. BTG Takeaway Closely monitor...

U.S.–China Trade Strains Spur Ingredient Sourcing Shake-Up

U.S.-China tensions and heavy reliance on Chinese ingredients (vitamins, amino acids) are driving American companies to diversify their sourcing. India, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and even domestic production are becoming viable alternatives, turning diversification into a strategic necessity. BTG Suggestion Diversify supply chains now to mitigate China-related risks. Establish backup...

Trade Tensions in the Americas: Corn and Dairy in the Crossfire

Recent USMCA disputes highlight ongoing trade frictions: Mexico’s GM corn ban was deemed a trade violation, while Canada’s dairy import restrictions were upheld. Brazil, however, has temporarily reduced import taxes on staples to combat food inflation, indicating policy volatility throughout the Americas. BTG Takeaway Agility is crucial. Continuously monitor policy...

Cheese Exports Boom Amid Shifting Global Demand

Global cheese demand continues to rise, pushing U.S. cheese exports to record-breaking volumes. Mexico remains the leading importer, while Asian markets increasingly crave premium and convenient cheese options. European cheese exporters also benefit from competitive pricing and rebounding food service sectors. However, rising milk costs and potential tariffs from countries...

Dairy Market Juggling Volatility and Trade Hurdles

The global dairy market faces turbulence from shifting trade policies, price swings, and supply chain bottlenecks. U.S. dairy exports had a strong 2024, and January 2025 set a record high in export value, but challenges persist. China’s economic slowdown and rising feed costs are pressuring dairy farmers globally. New environmental...

U.S. Eases Stance in WTO Disputes Amid Tariff Tensions

This week, the U.S. signaled a willingness to engage through the WTO dispute process with China and Canada. While tariffs on food and agricultural goods remain in force, this suggests a possible pause in escalations. On March 18, the U.S. informed China and Canada that it is ready to confer at...

U.S.-China Trade Shifts Force Rethink of Ingredient Sourcing Strategies

China’s role as a global supplier for the U.S. ingredient market is under scrutiny. With tariffs, regulatory crackdowns, and geopolitical tension reshaping trade, American food companies are reassessing their reliance on Chinese suppliers. China dominates the production of key food ingredients—over 91% of U.S. vitamin C imports, for example, originate...

Tariffs Escalate Trade War, Squeezing Global Ingredient Markets

A brewing trade and tariff war is disrupting food ingredient markets worldwide. Recent disputes—from steep U.S. tariffs on key partners to swift retaliation by China—are raising costs and uncertainty for agricultural and processed food trade. Ingredient traders are navigating a minefield of tariffs that threaten supply lines and profit margins....

Dairy Market Faces Volatility Amid Export Challenges

The global dairy market is facing turbulence due to shifting trade policies, fluctuating milk prices, and supply chain bottlenecks. U.S. dairy exports saw a strong 2024, with cheese shipments rising 17%. However, 2025 has started with challenges, including weaker Chinese demand and rising feed costs impacting dairy farmers. Meanwhile, new...

Weak U.S. Dollar Reshapes Trade Flows for Ingredient Markets

The U.S. dollar’s recent slide is reverberating through global food ingredient trade. After years of strength, the greenback is weakening due to trade war jitters and softer U.S. economic data. Traders worldwide are recalibrating to a new currency landscape where a feebler dollar creates both opportunities and challenges. The U.S....

Shipping Disruptions Snarl Ingredient Supply Chains Globally

From port congestion to container shortages, global shipping woes are hitting food ingredient traders with delays and logistic headaches. 2025’s first quarter has seen a resurgence of supply chain challenges—bottlenecks at key ports, unreliable vessel schedules, and higher freight costs. Port congestion is back in the spotlight, with some ports...

Price Swings and New Rules: Food Ingredients Under the Microscope

Food ingredient markets in the Americas are seeing a mix of easing costs and tighter regulations. Global prices for many key inputs have finally moderated after the past few volatile years. Notably, sugar and cereal prices fell sharply in 2024 (each down over 13% from 2023), providing relief to food...

High Interest Rates Ripple Through Trade and Business Decisions

Rising interest rates are casting a long shadow on trade and investment decisions across the Americas. Tighter monetary policies – with benchmark rates at multi-year highs – have made borrowing more expensive, which in turn is dampening trade activity. Costlier credit is curbing consumer spending on goods and raising borrowing...

Commodity Demand: Mixed Signals Across Agriculture, Energy, and Metals

Demand for commodities in the Americas is sending mixed signals across sectors. In agriculture, consumption of staples like corn and soy remains solid, but bumper crops have eased prices from recent peaks. For instance, soybean prices in early 2024 were down over 20% year-on-year thanks to ample supply, even as...

Tariffs in Flux: Trade Disputes and Policy Shifts Are Reshaping Trade Business

The tariff landscape is dynamic. Marked by both protectionist moves and conflict resolution. In the United States, a recent policy shift will reinstate a 25% tariff on steel imports from countries including Canada and Mexico by March 2025. Meanwhile, the U.S. has doubled down on tariffs against China; a 2024...

Dairy Industry Steadies Amid Price Swings

The dairy sector in the Americas is navigating a new equilibrium after a volatile stretch. U.S. milk prices rebounded through late 2024 as production tightened and demand stayed firm. By year’s end, farmers saw improved margins and even a rare uptick in domestic milk consumption – U.S. fluid milk sales...

Trade in the Americas: Cooling or Heating Up?

Be prepare! After a sluggish period, trade activity in the Americas shows signs of a modest rebound. Global merchandise trade volumes fell by about 1.2% in 2023 but are forecast to grow around 2.6% in 2024, with North American exports expected to rise faster (≈3.6%) than South America’s (≈2.6%). WTO...

Global Logistics Disruptions Highlight Some Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Commodity trading logistics face major disruptions from geopolitical conflicts and climate events. Over a year into the war in Ukraine, global grain routes remain in flux, while conflict in the Middle East has severely impacted Red Sea shipping. Attacks on vessels around Yemen led many ships to avoid the Red...

Cheese Trading: Export Boom and Shifting Demand

Cheese markets are riding an export boom, with notable shifts in global demand. The United States recently broke records in cheese exports—shipping over 1.028 billion pounds in the past year for the first time ever. This milestone signals a robust international appetite for cheese despite high dairy prices. Total global...

The Rise of High-Quality Ingredients: Consumers Want Efficiency

Consumers are no longer just interested in what’s in their food — they want to know where it comes from, how it’s made, and how it gets to their table. Ingredient transparency has become a significant selling point for food and beverage companies, with recent surveys showing that over 80%...

Brazilian Trade Spotlight: Commodities Surge and Companies Expand

Brazil’s trade performance in commodities remains a global highlight. Agribusiness exports from Brazil reached $152.6 billion in the past year, nearly half of the country’s total exports. Massive harvests and strong demand for Brazilian agricultural goods drive this boom. For instance, Brazil exported 2.89 million tons of beef, a 26%...

Developments in Dairy Trading

Global dairy markets have rebounded, with international dairy prices strengthening in recent months. The benchmark Global Dairy Trade index recently hit a 30-month high, jumping 3.7% and reaching levels last seen in mid-2022. Key drivers include rising demand from Asia—China’s increased imports and tight global supply have lifted prices for...

Logistics Innovations and Policy Shifts Reshape Trade

Amid the challenges, the logistics sector also adapts to new technologies and regulations that promise long-term improvements. Supply chains are undergoing a digital revolution, with AI-driven analytics, IoT tracking, and blockchain making “smart supply chains” the new normal, improving visibility and allowing quicker responses to issues. On the policy front,...