European Investment Bank Backs French Dairy Cooperative Sodiaal’s €70 Mln Investment

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €70 million loan to Sodiaal, France’s largest dairy cooperative. The loan, guaranteed by the InvestEU programme, will go to research and development, the EIB said.

“The French and European agri-food industry is facing strong international competition – an issue that can be addressed by accelerating research and innovation,” EIB vice-president Ambroise Fayolle said.

Sodiaal represents around 14,500 member farmers, and owns the Yoplait, Candia and Entremont brands.

“The agricultural industry and the dairy...

EC Opens Call for Evidence to Streamline Food and Feed Safety Rules

The European Commission (EC) has launched a call for evidence to gather input on plans to simplify, clarify and modernise key areas of EU food and feed safety legislation. The initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens, boost legal clarity and speed regulatory procedures while preserving high food safety standards and EU competitiveness.

The forthcoming food safety package will outline measures to streamline rules across plant protection products, biocidal products, feed additives, hygiene requirements and official controls at EU borders, the EC said.

Coffee, Cocoa, Tea, and More Added to List of Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners

As of September 5, products like coffee, cocoa, and tea (along with hundreds more) may be exempt from US reciprocal tariffs if a country’s leaders make a deal with the US trade team, according to a White House fact sheet that specifies exemptions for trading partners that make substantial, reciprocal commitments to mitigate the national emergency-inducing trade-deficit.

To date, market participants watched as deals with the European Union and Indonesia provided a vague mention towards exemptions for “natural resources” like EU cork...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

Major Restaurant Chains Ramp Up Market Expansion

This week, big players in the foodservice industry, including Chipotle, TGI Fridays, and Qdoba, have unveiled ambitious expansion plans.

By stretching accessibility and strengthening their global presence, these companies are ramping up efforts to reach international markets.

First, Qdoba announced its largest development deal in its brand's history.

The company partnered with Barry Dubin of B Wild Investments in an agreement to develop 50 new QDOBA restaurants across the states of Alaska, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.

It also announced that B Wild Investments has signed...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #26

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read: "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #26."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text.

...

Despite 50% tariffs remaining on Brazil and India, the Indian Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump expressed positivity that the respective trade teams would reach a deal, according to their latest social media...

ANALYSIS: Avian Influenza and Aging Infrastructure Tightens UK Chicken Supply

The UK poultry industry continues to face significant challenges stemming from both disease outbreaks and structural issues within the sector.

Avian Influenza remains a major concern, with multiple cases reported across the country in 2025. Following an outbreak in Somerset earlier in August, a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain was confirmed at a poultry facility in Devon on August 31, 2025. Government authorities mandated the humane culling of all birds on the affected premises. These recurring outbreaks, which historically intensify during the autumn months, have been disrupting market...

Pulling Back the Curtain on the Market for Packaging Recovery Notes

In the United Kingdom, Packaging Recovery Notes are meant to ensure that the companies creating packaging waste are helping to financially support the cost of recycling it. The prices of PRNs are affected by external factors, such as the demand for recyclate, shipping costs, and rumors about import restrictions or recycling closures. A lack of timely data hobbles companies trying to implement informed buying strategies, as market players often submit late responses or correct their data later, and a structural time lag creates a supply/demand disconnect.

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 34 - AI Adoption in Agri-Food, Feat. Beth Pollack

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals. 

Today we explore something different. A trend that is definitely here to stay and one that we are all integrating into our workflows. This transformative trend, however, is only in the infancy stages of its huge potential, and many of us, it is fair to say, are struggling to realize how to use it, and some of us even fear it… We're talking about AI, of course.

US Implements Japanese Trade Deal; 15% Tariffs, Billions in Investments, Ag Purchases

Later on September 4, the US implemented a previously announced trade deal with Japan–setting a 15% baseline tariff on almost all Japanese goods imported to the US, according to a White House statement about a presidential order. This comes almost a week after tariffs were again disputed in the US judicial system.

The now-implemented deal also created sector-specific carve-outs and outlined commitments on both sides that will affect demand for US agricultural commodities and beyond (namely, for US rice).

Plus, the order carves...

ANALYSIS: EU Lifts Avian Influenza Ban on Brazilian Poultry

Following Brazil’s submission of detailed epidemiological data, the European Commission (EC) stated that the information was sufficient to confirm the country’s disease-free status. As a result, the EC, in coordination with EU Member States, will begin lifting bans and progressively reinstate access for all previously authorized export regions.

Trade data highlights the importance of this decision for both sides. Between January and June 2025, the EU imported 125,300 tons of chicken meat from Brazil, up by 20.8% year-on-year...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #25

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #25."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text.

...

In the States, a federal appeals court ruled that US President Trump’s use of global tariffs exceeded presidential authority, but they remain active until at least October 14, 2025...

Global Dairy Trade Index Falls Below Market Expectations

The Global Dairy Trade (GDT) index dropped by 4.3% on September 2, clearing at $4,043/MT, from $4,291 on August 19.

The total volume sold increased from the previous event to 41,465 metric tons (MT), despite fewer participating bidders. Lactose was once again not offered at the event. Prices for the products were all down but for cheddar, which rose by 3.6% to $4,709/MT. It is the first increase in cheddar since June.

Butter milk powder fell by 6.3% to $2,868 MT from...

Dave's Hot Chicken Accelerates International Expansion with Exclusive European Agreement

Dave's Hot Chicken, the fastest-growing Nashville-style hot chicken sensation from Los Angeles, has finalized a landmark agreement with UK-based Azzurri Group, granting the hospitality powerhouse exclusive development rights across Europe. Under the new agreement, Azzurri Group will develop 180 Dave's Hot Chicken restaurants across 10 European countries, leveraging a joint venture partnership model to team up with experienced local operators in each market. These countries are France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy, and Turkey...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 33 - M&A in the Global Agri-Food Industry, August 2025

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals. Today, we bring you up to speed with merger & acquisition activity in the global agrifood landscape that occurred in August 2025 as part of the monthly M&A focus series.

M&A activity has somewhat slowed down this summer. Beyond the obvious seasonal  business activity slowdown due to summer holidays, let’s not forget impacts of the ongoing tariffs situation, global trade deals and disputes, and overall market uncertainty.

ANALYSIS: EU Pork Market Sees Price Decreases Throughout August as Bearish Sentiment Persists

Following a bearish price trend during July, the EU pork market remined bearish during August with prices decreasing constantly during the month. The Expana Bench Market Price for EU Pig deadweight grade S EXW EU (BW56) was last assessed at €1.98 /kg on August 26, which reflects a price reduction of €0.05/kg compared to the last assessment in July...

Upcoming Webinar (Asia Edition): Forecasting the Future of Commodity Prices, Q4 2025 and Beyond

Expana invites you to a free, live webinar featuring our experts Tom Bundgaard, Vice President of Price Forecasting, and Craig Erlam, Forecast Analyst.

Join us on September 18 at 11 AM Singapore time for a comprehensive macroeconomic briefing focused on the latest Q4 2025 commodity price forecasts and what lies ahead for 2026.

As global economic indicators increasingly hint at a potential recession, understanding the anticipated impact on commodity prices is critical for businesses planning their procurement, pricing, and supply chain strategies in the coming years.

ANALYSIS: Hot and Dry Summer Threatens European Corn Yields

According to the European Commission, western Europe experienced its warmest June on record this summer. Market participants told Expana that while hot and dry conditions supported wheat harvesting, they significantly threaten European corn yields. FranceAgriMer projects the 2025 French corn crop to be up to 5% lower year-on-year. As of August 18, only 62% of the crop was rated good/excellent, down to the lowest level for this period in three years, compared with 76% last year...

ANALYSIS: Unseasonably Firm Summer Sets Stage for EU Egg Demand in Autumn 

The European egg market is entering September with a distinctly different tone than in years past. Where July and August usually bring softer prices and subdued activity, this summer proved the exception. Prices held firm through the first half of the year, and the seasonal dip many anticipated barely materialized, leaving the market stronger than its historical norm.

Caged shell eggs, for example, have held steady at around 1.96 €/kg for several weeks, roughly 45% higher than the seasonal average of 1.35...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #24

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #24."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text.

...

On August 22, Canadian Prime Minister Carney dropped most retaliatory tariffs on US products, beginning September 1, reported Expana in an article that suggested the move may help soothe trade relations...

Upcoming Webinar: Forecasting the Future of Commodity Prices, Q4 2025 and Beyond

Expana invites you to a free, live webinar featuring our experts Tom Bundgaard, Vice President of Price Forecasting, and Craig Erlam, Forecast Analyst.

Join us on September 11 at 4 PM CET / 3 PM BST / 10 AM ET for a comprehensive macroeconomic briefing focused on the latest Q4 2025 commodity price forecasts and what lies ahead for 2026.

As global economic indicators increasingly hint at a potential recession, understanding the anticipated impact on commodity prices is critical for businesses