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Day 17 of Iran War: US Allies Decline Trump's Request to Send Ships to Strait of Hormuz
On the 17th day of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Israel launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Tehran. Iranian officials dismissed US claims of truce talks, emphasizing readiness to defend the country.
Amid rising tensions in the Gulf region, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the Strait of Hormuz “is open, but closed to our enemies, to those who carried out this cowardly aggression against us and to their allies”.
US President Donald Trump is pushing allies to form a coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, while Japan and Australia have said...
Day 14 of Iran War: US Temporarily Eases Russian Oil Sanctions; Shipping Risks Mount
Israeli airstrikes have hit Tehran on the 14th day of the Iran war as Iran and its allies launch retaliatory attacks across Gulf states, sharply escalating tensions across the region and disrupting global energy markets.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route linking the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, remains severely disrupted.
On Friday, the US issued a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea. Oil prices eased following the announcement, though prices are...
Day 13 of Iran War: Strait of Hormuz Tensions Continue, Brent Crude Tops $100 Again
US and Israeli strikes on Iran continued Thursday as the war entered its 13th day, while Tehran intensified retaliatory attacks that have unsettled global energy markets.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran could consider ending the war if its “legitimate rights” are acknowledged, reparations are paid, and binding international guarantees are put in place to prevent future attacks.
Maritime tensions are increasing around the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of tanker attacks off Iraq and drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf...
Rail Merger Would be Costly for Farmers
The proposed merger of the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railways would leave farmers with fewer transportation options and vulnerable to shipping cost increases at a time when balance sheets have been squeezed to the breaking point by rapidly rising input costs. Transportation, marketing and storage expenses are projected to rise to a record $14 billion in 2026. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the UP-NS merger in the latest Market Intel.
“The risk of the UP–NS merger is clear,” the Market Intel states. “It would leave farmers more dependent...
Iran War Enters Fourth Day, Driving Higher Crude Prices and Broad Commodity Swings
The US-Israeli war on Iran intensified into its fourth day, with Tehran reporting a death toll of 787 as strikes continue to target leadership and infrastructure. Israel’s campaign, initially described as a two-week operation, is reportedly advancing faster than expected, with no firm end date signaled. US President Donald Trump said the war could last four to five weeks.
Global markets remain on edge. Crude oil surged nearly 4% in overnight trade, while European equities fell sharply. US stock futures also pointed lower, with the three major indices last shedding about 2%...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #29
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 #29."
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 September 29, the US placed 50% tariffs on imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products, according to the US Presidential Action.
Also starting October 1, the US will be imposing 100%...
US Baking and Milling Industry Execs Discuss Countering Inflationary Pressures - Agri-Food Americas
As inflationary pressures persist through 2025, leaders in the North American bakery and milling industries are grappling with supply chain complexities that continue to reshape procurement strategies and product portfolios.
On the sidelines of the recent Agri-Food Americas 2025 conference in Chicago, executives from Sara Lee Frozen Bakery and Bay State Milling outlined to Expana how ingredient costs, tariffs, and operational uncertainties are driving adjustments across their businesses.
Jason McDonald, Senior Manager of Procurement at Sara Lee Frozen Bakery
Salty Snacks Maker, Utz to Remove Artificial Colors By 2027
As of September 23, Utz Brands, Inc. will remove certified Food, Drug and Cosmetic (“FD&C”) colors from its product portfolio by 2027, according to a company press release.
“Since 1921, Utz Brands, Inc. has been committed to making snacks with quality, transparency, and simple, trusted ingredients. As consumer tastes and government regulatory initiatives evolve, we adapt while staying true to the flavors and traditions people love," read the statement...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #23
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #23."
This week, tariff news took a bit of a backseat to US President Trump’s dealings with Russian President Putin in Alaska—along with President Trump’s meeting with many European leaders...
US-Philippines Trade Relations Televised; 19% Tariff Rate Reached
On July 22, US President Trump participated in a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“... We concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs,” wrote President Trump on Truth Social after the meeting. “The Philippines will pay a 19% Tariff. In addition, we will work together Militarily. It was a Great Honor to be with the President. He is Highly Respected in his Country, as he should be. He is also a very good, and tough, negotiator..."
Mixed Wheat Prospects for Russia, Says Expana Crop Analyst
As of July 10, total wheat production in Russia (including Crimea but excluding the other Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine) is forecast slightly up by 1% compared to the 2024 harvest, at around 83.2 million metric tons (mt), up from 82.6 million mt in 2024 and below the five-year average of 87.7 million mt, said Aurélien Blary, Crop Analyst, Expana.
According to Blary, the winter wheat harvest is picking up pace in Western Russia as rainfall is easing in the region.
Joey Chestnut Returns to Gobbling Beef Dogs Post Plant-Based Debacle as Prices Rise
Some people have heroes like Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson, for participants in the global food industry and for competitive eating fans, the master is none other than Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. Yet last year, the king of hot dog eating did not compete in the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY on Independence Day due to a sponsorship conflict with Impossible Foods.
Impossible Foods does have their hot dog made from soy protein isolate, wheat gluten, sunflower oil, coconut oil, among other ingredients...
US Arrests Chinese Nationals for Allegedly Smuggling Dangerous Fungus in “Agroterrorism” Attempt
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested two citizens of the People’s Republic of China for allegedly smuggling a fungus called Fusarium graminearum, which is a potential agroterrorism weapon, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, are suspected of alleged conspiracy, smuggling goods into the US, false statements, and visa fraud.
The fungus can cause a disease called “head blight” in wheat, barley, maize, and rice, according to US FBI Director, Kash Patel on X.com...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #11
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #11."
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...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #10
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #10."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #9
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #9."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #6
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #6."
Exclusive International Trade Centre Interview: Implications of Trump’s Tariff Regime
Julia Spies is the Chief of Trade and Market Intelligence for the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Switzerland. Spies and team analyze trade information and publish findings about market-specific trade intelligence on multiple online platforms, like Tradebriefs.intracen.org.
Recent shifts in the world of trade, including the latest round of United States tariffs and trade measures by other countries, has kept Spies and company busy, to say the least.
However, ITC members have watched trade measures, and in particular their impact on developing countries, long before these recent changes...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4."
FEATURED STORIES
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ANALYSIS: US Cage-Free Market Strengthens on Retail Demand and HPAI Concerns
ANALYSIS: US Shell Egg and Breaker Markets Drift Into Rare Price Divergence
ANALYSIS: Year-to-Date Broiler Production Trend Shows Widening Divergence by Weight Category