Canadian Agricultural Supply Chain Fears Amid Rail Labor Dispute

Crucial agricultural supply chains are under threat across North America after a rail labor dispute in Canada led to a shutdown of freight traffic on the country's two largest railways. Agriculture industry executives are fearing a succession of devastating economic blows and are already estimating their losses.

Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) locked out nearly 9,300 workers after midnight local time on Thursday 22 August, after multiple rounds of talks ultimately failed to clinch a late deal with the Teamsters union...

Blue Yonder Acquires One Network Enterprises to Unlock an Agile, Interconnected Supply Chain 

Blue Yonder, the leader in digital supply chain transformations, today announced the closing of its acquisition of One Network Enterprises (One Network) at an enterprise value of approximately $839 million. The acquisition gives Blue Yonder customers the ability to collaborate and share data – from inventory levels to raw and finished goods materials movement – in real time across all trading partners up and down the supply chain.

With increasing volatility and continuous disruptions, retailers, manufacturers and logistics service providers (LSPs) need to achieve multi-enterprise... 

Walmart's Grocery Network Transformation: The Next Steps on Our Supply Chain Modernization Journey

In the last several years, something has become very clear: Walmart customers love options. From the strength of our delivery business to our innovative aisles in-store and online, we’re witnessing shoppers make use of every opportunity to save money and live better.

As customers change the way they shop, we’re taking steps to build even more trust with them, ensuring the things they want – and need – are on shelves faster than ever before. To do that, we've been investing... 

Import Cargo To Hit 2 Million Containers For First Time Since Last Fall

Next month’s inbound cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to top 2 million units for the first time since last fall as imports grow despite new supply chain challenges, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“U.S. imports are continuing to increase despite another disruption impacting U.S. ports,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “As retailers have adjusted to limits...

Podcast: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 8 - Global Supply Chain Situation

ANALYSIS: A Seasonal Snapshot of Christmas and Easter's Boost to Lamb Leg Sales

As Easter approaches, the demand for lamb legs in retail stores noticeably rises, spurred by holiday traditions. Consumers, particularly those of the Catholic faith, often buy lamb legs for Easter as a symbol of renewal. Similarly, lamb is a popular choice during Christmas for some households. This trend leads to a significant uptick in both discounted and non-discounted sales at the retail level, highlighting the cultural impact of these occasions on the protein markets. To meet this surge in demand, suppliers and retailers diligently ensure an...

Cleveland-Cliffs to Idle Weirton Tinplate Facility Following Unfavorable ITC Ruling

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. announced today that it will be indefinitely idling its tinplate production plant located in Weirton, West Virginia in April 2024. The need to idle the Weirton plant is a direct result of the unanimous decision issued by all four members of the International Trade Commission (ITC) negating the implementation of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on tin mill products calculated by the Department of Commerce. A WARN notice is being issued today to approximately 900 impacted employees...

USDA Announces $270 Million Awarded to Build Food Supply Chain Resiliency

Secretary Vilsack visits with state agriculture leaders at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture conference to highlight grant funding available through federal-state partnerships

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to date, has awarded over $270 million through cooperative agreements with state departments of agriculture to build resilience across the middle of the food supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. The funding is being awarded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program which...

USDA Partners with Illinois to Award Over $5 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has a cooperative agreement with Illinois under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and Illinois are working together to offer over $5 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. Illinois is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through March 15, 2024.

In May 2023, USDA announced the availability of up to $420...

USDA Partners with Oklahoma; Awards Over $6.3 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has a cooperative agreement with Oklahoma under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and Oklahoma are working together to offer over $6.3 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. Oklahoma is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through Feb. 23, 2024.

In May 2023, USDA announced the...

How Yum! Brands is Making its Supply Chain More Sustainable

The KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill parent company is investing in partnerships with dairy, beef and poultry suppliers to reduce carbon emissions and develop more resilient agricultural practices.

The effects of climate change can have a major impact on the global food system. That’s why Yum! Brands aims to be part of the solution and is working with suppliers to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“We rely on healthy agriculture systems to support sustainable crop yields and livestock productivity,” said Yum! Chief Sustainability Officer...