Global Scans · Food & Agriculture · Weekly Summary

• [New] Botswana holds no country standard, and plans to adopt the SADC minimum food fortification standards delineated in its first food fortification strategy. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] New research from a Texas A & M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences doctoral graduate could help producers better protect poultry flocks from disease outbreaks while reducing costs. EurekAlert!
• [New] Strategic partnerships between AI platform providers, precision fermentation ingredient companies, and global CPG R&D organizations will increasingly shape competitive positioning and platform ecosystem development across global food formulation technology markets. Mobility Foresights
• [New] Global food demand is projected to rise by more than 50% by 2050 as the world's population approaches 9.7 billion. The AI Journal
• [New] By combining clear criteria with the potential for targeted financial incentives, IFC can catalyze systemic change across agribusiness value chains and contribute to a more resilient food and fiber production system. IFC
• [New] Last week, the global food insecurity monitor IPC warned nearly 20 million people across Sudan face acute hunger this year, with more than 800,000 children at risk of severe malnutrition due to civil war, mass displacement and collapsing food and health systems. Democracy Now!
• [New] Food & beverages are expected to dominate, with nearly a 35% share in 2026, due to FDA and EU approvals that permit direct food-contact applications. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The expansion of AP could provide nutritious solutions while also diversifying the protein-rich food basket and addressing concerns about environmental impact, animal welfare, and human health. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Expanding AP in LMICs presents a valuable opportunity for AP companies to meet the growing demand for nutrient-dense, sustainable, and ethically produced food products. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The expansion and adoption of AP in LMICs could present a promising solution to nourish the world's growing population while mitigating the global food and environmental crises. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The consumption of unprocessed red meat probably increases the risk for colorectal cancer and that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] With a new government grant, global carbon project developer Value Network Ventures is planning to hire more people in Singapore and trial an eco-friendly rice farming method in parts of South-east Asia that could also produce carbon credits. ST
• [New] High-fibre snacks are projected to grow significantly - into a $40 bn-plus category by 2030 - and fiber is now being called out as one of the defining food trends of 2026. Just Food
• [New] As meat supply chains face mounting volatility, Pardoe stresses the need for diversification of protein supply to boost the resilience of food supply chains in the face of global conflict, trade disruption, and extreme weather events. CNS Media
• [New] Plant-based foods require fewer inputs than conventional meat, meaning they are less exposed to the supply chain vulnerabilities that have driven up meat prices over the last year. CNS Media
• [New] Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is evolving from a shipping issue into a systemic global agri-food crisis with potential food price shocks within 6-12 months. CNS Media
• [New] Africa's untapped potential concentrates in lower-complexity areas like agriculture, raw materials, and basic production activities, consistent with its development level and existing capabilities. Innovation Capabilities Outlook 2026
• [New] Latin America is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR throughout the forecast period, driven by the rapid growth of commercial agriculture and export-oriented farming. Precedence Research
• [New] The burden on developing countries will not only come in the form of energy prices, but also lasting impacts on fertilizer consumption, food security, and food prices, which Birol emphasized is a global problem. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• [New] USDA anticipates strong export opportunities across several product sectors, including: Beef, poultry, and related products Baking and food processing ingredients Additional opportunities exist for U.S. products such as animal feed, rice, pulses, seed potatoes, and livestock genetics. Granted AI
• [New] The World Bank reports a 46% monthly spike in fertilizer costs, threatening food security that could send 45 million people into acute hunger. investing.com
• [New] The increasing significance of precision fermentation presents important opportunities to enhance global nutrition, support human well-being, and contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable food systems. PubMed Central (PMC)

Last updated: 26 May 2026