Supply chain

The future of food: Welcome to 2036

With AI automation, the rise of personalised nutrition and a looming climate crisis, food could look radically different in 2036

FN+5 ingredients that could become food’s next supply-chain headache

Climate change, disease and demand surges are creating new ingredient vulnerabilities

Food and beverage heading for a skills crisis

An ageing workforce, poor industry visibility, and a major skills disparity is putting food and beverage at risk

FN+European cyber attacks: What F&B needs to do now

What do the attacks mean for food and beverage manufacturers and what action can they take?

Democrats face grocery affordability test as one-third of shoppers cut meals

As Democrats prepare to take control of Congress, new dunnhumby research shows mounting financial pressure is changing how Americans eat and shop

FN+Barry Callebaut plots comeback after profits tumble

Falling profits and shifting customer relationships raise concerns for the world’s biggest cocoa and chocolate supplier. But signs of recovery are starting to emerge

FN+Rice crisis: Kellogg’s changes recipes of iconic cereals

Kellogg’s has reformulated Rice Krispies and Coco Pops after weather-related disruptions affected rice quality and availability

APAC Agri-Food Innovation Summit 2026

FN+3 ways Google DeepMind is using AI to reshape the food system

AlphaFold changed scientists’ ability to understand proteins. Now DeepMind’s AI lab is applying the same philosophy to crop disease, plant immunity and the painstaking process of scientific discovery itself

EU’s ‘meaty names’ ban could include meat-flavoured crisps

The scope of the ban may include products beyond meat alternatives

FN+Trump tariffs challenged: Cheese importer case follows similar Burlap & Barrel bid

The family-owned importer argues the administration unlawfully used a Depression-era trade law to levy steep tariffs on Canadian imports

FN+Beyond cocoa: The race to futureproof chocolate

The future of chocolate depends on manufacturers having more options

Modern slavery: 97% of food and drink firms identify risks in supply chains

New research has revealed that as many as 97% of food and drink businesses have identified modern slavery or serious labour rights violations in their supply chains.

FN+When will El Niño peak?

Food companies must prepare for the most intense effects of the weather event

The new rules of climate-smart food

From climate-resilient crops to data-driven farming, Climate Smart Food 2026 explored how the food industry is adapting to growing environmental and supply chain risks

FN+Chocolate has a new problem. And it’s not cocoa prices

Rising temperatures are hitting chocolate demand, forcing manufacturers to rethink products, formats and sales strategies

Dairy Innovations

Can plant proteins help ease the whey squeeze?

Surging protein demand and tight whey supplies are driving interest in hybrid formulations, with ADM and other suppliers developing plant-based ingredients to help manufacturers balance nutrition, functionality and texture

Dairy Innovations

New data platform reveals opportunities for dairy milk to win back shelf space

MilkPEP’s free, AI-powered market intelligence platform Milkscape gives milk processors and retailers access to consumer trends, sales data and insights to identify growth opportunities, drive innovation and boost milk sales

FN+What is next for food and beverage cargo thefts after the surge in 2025?

After a sharp rise in 2025, reported thefts have declined in 2026, but shifting product trends, freight hotspots and evolving fraud tactics continue to challenge CPG supply chains

Could EmpCo quash regenerative agriculture claims?

EU anti-greenwashing legislation is cracking down on sustainability claims considered ‘vague’

Can AI stop seasonal promotions wasting money?

AI can help brands create seasonal campaigns and check whether stores deliver them, but faster marketing won’t rescue an offer shoppers can’t find or don’t want

FN+Top 10 food and beverage trends set to shape 2027

What’s next for food and beverage? Explore the consumer trends powering the next wave of innovation and new product development

Global milk supply forecast to rise 2.2% in 2026 despite drought and El Niño risks

Global milk supply is expected to grow by +2.2% in 2026, despite the challenging impact of climate conditions.

FN+Ube exports have been suspended – why and what happens now?

Ube is everywhere. But as demand surges, the Philippines is taking steps to keep the value and authenticity of its purple yam at home

Could PepsiCo’s snack turnaround offer a blueprint for its struggling beverage business?

As pricing changes, portfolio innovation and renewed investment help revive North American snack volumes, CEO Ramon Laguarta is looking to improve soft-drink performance through increased marketing, focused innovation and stronger execution

Barry Callebaut’s move beyond chocolate fails to convince investors

Chocolate producer’s transition into complete product solutions is designed to unlock growth, but investors remain unconvinced

Global Food Tech Awards

Global Food Tech Awards APAC: Meet the 5 startups on this year’s shortlist

Take a glimpse at what the future of food will look like, starting with these five APAC startups tackling waste, compliance and metabolic health

Milk and egg quality hit by climate change

Extreme heat not only impacts crops, but products produced by livestock as well

The future of cocoa: Why volatility’s here to stay

Climate change, ageing plantations and fragile supply chains are putting cocoa under unprecedented pressure. The industry’s response could determine the future of chocolate itself

The new packaging equation: Cost, carbon and compliance

As Extended Producer Responsibility programs expand, companies’ packaging strategies may be evaluated on performance across the entire system instead of one single sustainability metric

The EUDR is on the horizon – could it change again?

The deforestation law has been subject to numerous simplifications and delays

Responding to climate change is no longer about rhetoric

Regulation and product development are shifting how the food industry communicates its sustainability messaging

The future of food innovation lies in diversifying, not replacing, supply chains

From palm oil to dairy fat, food companies seek new supply chain options

Chocolate without cocoa? Why the industry’s taking alternatives seriously

Can alt cocoa secure chocolate’s future? As supply pressures mount, manufacturers are increasingly turning to cocoa-free and hybrid alternatives

FN+Agentic AI in food boosts decision-making – but can enhance risks too

Agents make operations more efficient, but if used wrongly they can distance decision-making from humans

How did Misfits Market expand beyond ugly produce?

The online grocer has expanded from imperfect produce into packaged goods, private label and a B2B fulfillment service built on its cold-chain network

News Bites

Big Food’s moves on climate, nutrition and tech

Food companies, policymakers and researchers reshape the conversation around food production and processing, as business strategies are evolving alongside them

Lindt cuts sales forecast as consumer spending slows

Confectionery giant cuts 2026 sales growth forecast after weaker-than-expected demand, but confidence in long-term strategy remains

Mondelēz sustainability scheme goes solo: Is this the new industry standard?

Harmony project enters a new era as it becomes an independent certification. But, could it become the new industry standard?

FN+The big sustainability shift: ‘Regulation is forcing storytelling to grow up’

Why food brands are quietly changing the way they sell sustainability and how they can prioritise substance over superficiality

Opinion

FN+The EUDR must go ahead or risk losing credibility

The regulation is approaching its deadline, and it’s essential that it meets it

Flavors of the future: global inspiration meets local innovation

Letter from the editor: Flavors of the future

From Filipino ube to North African harissa – how are global flavors shaping CPG innovation and what ingredients are leading the charge?

FN+54% of Big Food say climate resilience is critical. Just 6% have a plan

Big Food talks a good game on climate investment but the reality differs

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast

What’s holding organic back? The industry takes its case to Congress

Organic industry stakeholders press lawmakers on domestic production, infrastructure, farm relief and enforcement as the sector works to grow beyond $76 billion

Walmart’s tech expansion a boon for startup CPGs

Upgrades to the retail giant’s distribution network and increased adoption of its AI chatbot Sparky are enabling a broader product assortment

FN+HHS’ RFK Jr supports organic as Trump administration backs regenerative agriculture

HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr told organic industry leaders he would do “anything and everything” to help the sector grow, while distinguishing USDA Organic from the Trump administration’s growing focus on regenerative agriculture

FN+Which food commodities are threatened most by ‘Godzilla’ El Niño?

The weather event could be the largest since the 19th century

FN+What Mars’ latest food-tech cohort says about the future of food

Mars’ food-tech ventures suggest big food is headed towards technologies rooted in food production rather than finished products

From farm to fork: 10 climate bottlenecks threatening food supply chains

At every stage in the supply chain, heat, drought and changing weather patterns are putting pressure on the food sector

Food inflation may look tame, but rising CPG input costs suggest otherwise

August PPI data show relatively little movement in final-demand food prices, but sharp increases in grains, oilseeds, confectionery, diesel and select packaging inputs could put pressure on food and beverage makers in the months ahead

GLP-1 nutrition trend fuels premium whey demand

Demand for premium whey continues to climb as weight-loss trends shape food and beverage innovation. Can supply catch up?