AGP Executive Report

Food Destinations: Karachi has opened a 1km Food Walk, a Rs250 million project designed to draw visitors and support local eateries with improved lighting, security and public space. Pork Outlook: US production is forecast to keep rising through 2027, but producers face tighter margins as retail demand lags broader meat consumption and costs climb. Airline Dining: United is expanding its premium food program with chef-created Polaris menus, bringing seasonal, restaurant-inspired dishes to international business-class flights. Beverage Trade: A Japan–South Africa tasting event showcased sake and Japanese whisky from nine prefectures, with industry buyers and hospitality professionals exploring trade links. Food Waste: Australia’s End Food Waste initiative has expanded its membership network from 26 signatories to more than 250 organisations, offering businesses practical tools to cut waste and recover value.

Grain Trade: India and Turkey have proposed ways to move grain shipments through the Black Sea, as war-related strikes threaten global food security. Food Manufacturing: Varun Beverages plans to invest $221.1 million in a beverage and snacks plant in Maharashtra, while a new Welsh facility will expand production of affordable meals made from surplus food. Export Growth: Japan is seeking Thai partnerships to help grow food and agricultural exports toward a 5 trillion yen target by 2030. Consumer Demand: UK shoppers are bracing for tighter festive budgets: IGD found 42% expect to spend more on basic groceries, while 38% plan to cut premium purchases. Food Security: South African experts warn that the country’s food and nutrition plan lapsed in 2023, with its replacement still unfunded and in draft as hunger and child malnutrition remain pressing concerns.

Food Safety: Hyderabad regulators suspended the licences of 14 eateries after finding pest infestations, spoiled food and unhygienic kitchens. Beverage Growth: Kiid Coffee has expanded to more than 400 retailers; Varun Beverages plans to invest $221.1 million in a Maharashtra plant for beverages and snacks. Agriculture Investment: Sri Lanka’s AgriConnect plan aims to link 900,000 farmers to commercial opportunities, backed by $665 million in institutional investment and a goal of mobilising up to $170 million in private capital. Cost Pressures: Kenya’s annual inflation reached 7.3% in October, with food and non-alcoholic drink prices up 10.2% year over year as fuel costs also climbed.

Beverage Investment: Varun Beverages plans to invest US$221 million in a Maharashtra plant producing soft drinks, water, dairy products, snacks and bottles. The facility is expected to create 550 jobs. Agrifood Growth: Sri Lanka’s new AgriConnect plan aims to link 900,000 farmers to markets by 2030, backed by US$665 million in World Bank and IFAD investment and a target of US$170 million in private capital. Spirits Trade: India will meet liquor companies after domestic and international firms challenged the exclusion of bulk Scotch imports from reduced tariffs under the UK trade pact. Food Safety: PepsiCo recalled Walkers Variety Snacks Sharing Boxes in the UK over undeclared wheat. Maharashtra has also ordered food businesses to verify the disposal of expired, damaged and returned products. Retail Access: A new full-service supermarket has opened in downtown Hempstead, bringing fresh produce and everyday groceries to an underserved area.

Delivery Deal: DoorDash’s proposed $17 billion purchase of Instacart would create a food-delivery giant, raising questions about the impact on restaurants. Restaurant Transactions: Former Wendy’s chairman Nelson Peltz has made a $1.4 billion offer for the chain as it faces sales pressure. Roadside Dining: Pret A Manger opened its eighth Roadchef location, at Tibshelf on the M1, adding 10 jobs and extending its motorway presence. Campus Foodservice: Aramark’s University of Hartford dining team introduced a kosher station free of eight major allergens, while school-food provider Cenavera named a new leadership team overseeing brands serving nearly 1,000 districts. Food Manufacturing: Canada’s food and beverage sector says it could grow its GDP contribution from $35.1 billion to $56.2 billion by 2035 with stronger government support. Retail Reshaping: Tesco agreed to sell its Czech and Slovak businesses to Ahold Delhaize for €1.7 billion. Food Tourism: Greece launched Tag Greece, a program linking regional food, producers and hospitality businesses to attract visitors year-round.

Delivery Shake-up: DoorDash’s $17bn deal to acquire Instacart would reshape grocery delivery while keeping Instacart’s brand and app. Retail Moves: Tesco will sell its Czech and Slovak businesses to Ahold Delhaize for €1.7bn, refocusing on its UK and Irish operations. Packaging Rules: Drinks firms in England and Northern Ireland have until October 2027 to prepare for a 20p deposit scheme covering plastic bottles and metal cans. Food Safety: Bangladesh will require registration and licensing for food businesses from November 1, including street stalls, restaurants, processors and importers. Market Pressure: Kenya’s food inflation hit 10.2% in October as overall inflation climbed to 7.3%, squeezing household spending. Growth Capital: Kenya’s Kenafric Group launched a $10m fund to back African consumer businesses, including food and beverage brands, with investment and access to manufacturing and distribution expertise.

Food Delivery: DoorDash agreed to buy Instacart for $17 billion, a major push into grocery delivery that would reshape competition in the sector. Restaurant Deals: Wendy’s is weighing a $1.4 billion buyout offer as it works on a turnaround; Chili’s, meanwhile, reported three-year comparable-sales growth of 52%, driven largely by higher traffic. Food Safety: SLR Food Distribution recalled Wise Wife ground cinnamon over potential elevated lead levels. Farm Support: USDA plans up to $472.5 million in purchases of U.S. agricultural goods for food assistance programs, including dairy, rice, lentils and catfish. International Expansion: Colombia’s Nutresa completed its acquisition of Venezuelan ice cream maker Tio Rico, adding eight brands and a manufacturing plant. Culinary Tourism: The Philippines plans better transport links to bring visitors to food destinations, while Puerto Rico is promoting a 35-business gastronomic route in Cabo Rojo.

Food Costs: The World Bank warns food commodity prices could rise nearly 18% over 2026–27, while higher oil prices add pressure to shipping and distribution costs. Beverage Brands: Dongpeng Beverage, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground ended Kylian Mbappé sponsorships after a video sparked backlash in China. Foodservice Security: The Pentagon is investigating suspected cyber tampering after freezer failures spoiled food at US military commissaries; French supermarket outages are also under investigation. Bakery Deal: Baker & Baker acquired Scotland’s Lazy Day Foods, retaining its free-from brand and 190 staff as it looks to grow overseas sales. Beverage Strategy: Tilray has cut its US brewery footprint from 10 sites to six and is targeting $20 million in annual savings ahead of a Carlsberg partnership. Restaurant Expansion: Pret opened its eighth Roadchef motorway shop, creating 10 jobs and bringing fresh food and barista-made drinks to more UK drivers. Dining Trends: Porto topped a new ranking of Portugal’s plant-based food destinations, ahead of Braga and Lisbon.

Restaurant Deal: Trian Fund Management has offered $1.4 billion to take Wendy’s private, citing pressure on consumers, rising commodity costs and fierce burger-chain competition. Cost Pressures: The World Bank warns global commodity prices could rise 23% in 2026 as energy costs climb and disrupted grain shipments threaten food affordability. Beverage Contracts: More restaurant chains are changing drink suppliers; KFC’s planned switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola is the latest high-profile move. Food Safety: Singapore suspended Deli Hub Catering after 53 pupils and staff at two kindergartens reported gastroenteritis symptoms. Digital & Delivery: Serve Robotics has launched its first service outside the U.S., with food orders delivered by robots at Griffith University and the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct in Australia. Manufacturing: Malaysia’s Lee Biscuits plans to close its Pontian factory by the end of October, ending 92 years of biscuit production as its parent group shifts focus.

Oatly Results: Third-quarter revenue rose 9.1% to $243.1 million, but the company cut its 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to $16–20 million from $25–35 million. UK Manufacturing Costs: The Food and Drink Federation is urging the Chancellor to extend industrial energy relief, warning that rising energy, transport, ingredient and packaging costs threaten investment and domestic production. Beverage Supply: Glassmaker Vidrala UK & Ireland says nearly 2,000 employees produce about three billion containers and fill up to 500 million litres of drinks annually across its sites. Food Safety: Singapore suspended Deli Hub Catering after 53 people at two kindergartens reported gastroenteritis symptoms. Food Logistics: DP World opened a 30,000-pallet ambient-goods hub near Bologna, with organic producer Alce Nero as its anchor customer. Consumer Goods: Unilever raised its annual volume-growth forecast after stronger beauty and personal-care sales, while its food unit lagged.

Cafe Rules: New South Wales has dropped a planned requirement for cafes to offer dine-in coffee in reusable mugs, after small businesses raised concerns; recyclable disposable cups will remain an option. Restaurant Growth: foodpanda is pitching cloud kitchens as a lower-cost route for food entrepreneurs to reach new markets, using shared facilities, technology and delivery infrastructure. Company Results: Qatar dairy and beverage maker Baladna reported nine-month revenue up 4% and gross profit up 18%, while Coca-Cola raised its profit forecast on strong international soda demand and flagged higher costs. Foodservice Shifts: US lawmakers introduced a bill that would stop delivery apps listing restaurants without permission, as new competitors test ways to challenge the dominant platforms. Safety Alert: The FDA reported Salmonella in two lots of Darwin’s frozen raw cat food after a cat was hospitalized, renewing scrutiny of pet-food safety. Packaging and Supply: General Mills is bringing resealable Cheerios bags to more retailers, and glass-packaging firm Encirc has adopted the name Vidrala UK & Ireland.

Food Safety: Trader Joe’s tarragon chicken salad wraps were identified as a common exposure in an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 50 people; the source of contamination remains unknown. Public Catering: Malaysia’s Education Ministry will review possible collusion claims tied to a cooked-food supply tender covering 2027–29. In Minnesota, the attorney general sued two businesses over alleged false claims to child nutrition programs. Costs and Confidence: UK shop-price inflation hit 2.1% in October, its highest in two and a half years, while food inflation rose to 2.9%. Hospitality confidence improved, with 53% of operators optimistic about their prospects, but cost and tax concerns persist. Food Business: Smithfield’s packaged-meat operating profit edged up to $230 million in the third quarter, even as total sales fell 8.3%. In Malaysia, Kopi Royale Johor plans a café after selling more than 5,000 cups of traditional coffee in three days.

Restaurant Expansion: Japan’s Katsuya has opened its first Philippine outlet, looking overseas for growth as its domestic business struggles. Company Results: Mexico’s Grupo Bafar reported record third-quarter sales of 8.89 billion pesos, up 11.5% year over year, with food-division EBITDA rising 18.6%. Beverage Distribution: Coconut-water brand CocoLove added distributors in Florida and California and launched its first flavored product as it expands into retail, hospitality and cruise channels. Food Safety: A warning over U.S. FDA staffing cuts says reduced inspection and outbreak-tracing capacity could weaken food protection, amid a large Cyclospora outbreak and multiple product recalls. Food Innovation: Precision fermentation is drawing interest as a way to produce alternative proteins and other ingredients, though scaling production remains a challenge. Agriculture and Trade: Vietnam plans to use APEC 2027 to promote greener farming and food security, including low-emission rice production and regenerative-agriculture partnerships.

Seafood Trade: Japanese seafood exports to Malaysia jumped about 40% in the first eight months of 2026, reaching roughly ¥5 billion as demand grows for premium products and Japanese cuisine. UK Restaurant Expansion: Chick-fil-A plans to open its first UK drive-thru in Hamilton on October 29, while Fireaway Pizza has launched a new open-kitchen format in Bristol as it expands its 150-store network. Food Exports: Jordan’s new 2027–29 strategy targets JD1.61 billion in food exports by 2029, with a push into higher-value products such as processed produce, confectionery and ready meals. Industry Priorities: More than 460 food-system leaders gathered at IGD’s UK conference, where speakers urged businesses and government to turn shared goals on resilience, health and sustainability into practical action. Waste Reduction: Wolverhampton has begun weekly household food-waste collections, sending scraps to anaerobic digestion to produce energy and fertiliser. Measured Growth: Restaurant analysts warn that rapid expansion can leave chains with weak locations and stretched operations, arguing that steady, disciplined growth is a surer route to lasting success.

Restaurant Growth: Guzman y Gomez’s founder-led expansion is leaning on digital ordering, delivery and loyalty sales, though rising food and wage costs could pressure margins. At Chaag Thai in West Virginia, a service robot now carries orders, freeing staff for kitchen work. Food Affordability: Food insecurity is worsening: Pakistan’s moderate-to-severe rate reached 24.35% of households, while severe food insecurity in Australia rose about 40% from 2020 to 2024. Food Safety: Delhi inspectors destroyed 922kg of adulterated sweets and spoiled food in a festive-season crackdown. Industry Pressures: PepsiCo is closing a Tennessee bottling plant amid falling soft-drink volumes, while a UK frozen-food company has gone into liquidation.

Foodservice & Growth: Gurugram’s Momos Mafia has grown from a street cart to about 40 carts, 20 outlets and two quick-service restaurants through franchising. In South Korea, Ulsan’s $1.8 million bridge food hall has effectively halted operations after visitor numbers plunged and all restaurant tenants closed. Market Shifts: Pepsi’s partnership with KFC is ending in the U.S.; Coca-Cola will replace Pepsi drinks at 3,700 locations from January. UK halal frozen-food maker Quality Bites, which supplied more than 1,000 stores, has entered liquidation. Supply & Production: Wheat futures are on course for an eighth straight weekly decline as global output nears a record. Mondelēz says its contribution to the West Midlands economy approached £1 billion in 2025. Food Security: The UAE is bolstering supply resilience with diversified suppliers, trade routes and strategic stocks. UK food leaders also urged coordinated action on food security, health and sustainability at IGD’s Future of the UK Food System conference. Storm Disruption: Flooding in Scotland damaged a Largs shop and Thai restaurant, with further high tides threatening recovery.