ACROFAN

Purdue agriculture experts provide insights into global food and economic security crises

Nc'nean takeover the World's Smallest Whisky Bar

DUSIT further bolsters its food business in Thailand as OR acquires a 25% stake in Dusit Foods

Fourth of July spreads didn't shrink, but consumers are hitting their limits with higher food prices

Slight increase in producer sentiment despite rising costs and lower crop prices

The generational divide shows in our food system, too

Farmer sentiment remains weak, crop producers contemplating acreage shifts in 2023

Report shows differences in food insecurity, sustainable food purchasing between racial and ethnic groups

Farmer sentiment plummets as production costs skyrocket

Urban-rural food satisfaction, food security gaps show in new report

Producer sentiment improves with strengthened commodity prices, but high cost inflation worries farmers

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer improved in April, up 8 points to a reading of 121; however, it remains 32% below its reading from the same time last year. Producers’ perspective on current conditions and future expectations saw an uptick over the past month. The Index of Current Conditions improved 7 points to a reading of 120, and the Index of Future Expectations improved 9 points to a reading of 122. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted April 18-22. “Rising prices for major commodities, especially corn and soybeans, appear to be leading the change in producers’ improved financial outlook,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “However, it’s hard to overstate the magnitude of the cost increases producers say they are facing.” The Farm Financial Performance Index improved to a reading of 95, up 8 points from March, and 12 points higher than in January and February. As Mintert suggests, much of this could be attributed to the strengthened commodity prices. For example, Eastern Corn Belt cash prices for corn in mid-April rose more than 10% above their mid-March levels while bids for fall delivery of 2022 crop corn climbed 20% over the same period. Soybean prices rose as well. Near-term delivery prices for soybeans rose about 7% from mid-March to mid-April, while elevator bids for fall delivery of new crop soybeans climbed 5% over the one-month span. Even as commodity prices have strengthened, producers continue to say higher input costs are the top concern for their farming operation. In April, 42% of producers chose higher input costs as their biggest concern, which was more than twice as many who chose government policies (21%) or lower output prices (19%). In April, 60% of survey respondents said they expect input prices to rise by 30% over the next 12 months. This compares to an average of 37% of respondents who said they were expecting a cost increase of this magnitude when the same question was posed in the December 2021 through March 2022 surveys. When asked specifically for their expectations for 2023 crop input prices compared with prices paid for 2022 crop inputs, 36% of respondents said they expect prices to rise 10% or more and 21% of crop producers said input price rises of 20% or more are likely. The war in Ukraine has also added a new level of uncertainty for producers. Sixty percent of survey respondents said the biggest impact of the war on U.S. agriculture will be on input prices. Crop input challenges extend beyond their inflated cost to their availability. In April, 34% of producers said they experienced some difficulty in purchasing inputs for the 2022 crop season, up from 27% in March. In a follow-up question, producers who said they had some difficulty obtaining inputs said that herbicides (30% of respondents) were most problematic, followed closely by farm machinery parts (27%), fertilizer (26%), and insecticides (17%). In a related question, 11% of crop producers said they received notice an input supplier would not be able to deliver one or more crop inputs they had already purchased for use in 2022. Of those, herbicide availability was the top problem reported. Despite an overall improved financial performance outlook, the Farm Capital Investment Index remains at its all-time low. Supply chain problems remain a key reason many producers feel now is not a good time for making large investments in their farming operations. For example, just over 40% of producers said their farm machinery purchase plans were impacted by low machinery inventories. The rising cost of all inputs, including machinery, buildings, and grain bins, is likely another factor causing producers to say now is not a good time for large investments. Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report. The site also offers additional resources – such as past reports, charts and survey methodology – and a form to sign up for monthly barometer email updates and webinars. Each month, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture provides a short video analysis of the barometer results. For even more information, check out the Purdue Commercial AgCast podcast. It includes a detailed breakdown of each month’s barometer, in addition to a discussion of recent agricultural news that affects farmers. The Ag Economy Barometer, Index of Current Conditions and Index of Future Expectations are available on the Bloomberg Terminal under the following ticker symbols: AGECBARO, AGECCURC and AGECFTEX.

Ripken Baseball Celebrates National Beef Month with Tommy’s Jerky

In celebration of National Beef Month in May, Ripken Baseball announces its first multi-year partnership in the meats and smokies category with Tommy’s Jerky. As the official jerky of Ripken Baseball, Tommy’s Jerky will provide its award-winning products at The Ripken Experience™ in Aberdeen, MD, Myrtle Beach, SC, and Pigeon Forge, TN. To kick off the new partnership, Ripken Baseball will host multiple “Jerky and Jersey” social media contests where fans can win a supply of Tommy’s Jerky products along with a Cal Ripken, Jr. autographed jersey. “We continue to identify and align with partners that elevate the players’ experience,” said Amanda Shank, Vice President of Business Development for Ripken Baseball. “Tommy’s Jerky is the ultimate easy to go snack and perfect option for all of our players, coaches, umpires, and families inside and outside our facilities.” As part of the retail program, Tommy’s Jerky award-winning jerky and meat smokies will be made available to enhance performance and refuel the umpires during competition. In addition, youth travel baseball teams seeking a delicious and easy way to raise funds to support their program have an opportunity to earn a profit by selling Tommy’s Jerky variety of products. Teams are encouraged to reach out directly to Amy Bulick at abulick@tommysjerky.com if interested in receiving more information about Tommy’s Jerky fundraiser program. “We are so pleased and honored to be the Official Jerky and Smokies of Ripken Baseball,” said Amy Bulick, President and CEO of Tommy’s Jerky and Smokies. “Our high-quality production process and unique flavors set us apart from other jerky and smokie brands. Like Ripken Baseball, we are a first-class experience, and we take great pride in what we do.” Tommy’s Jerky and Smokies looks forward to supplying players, families, and fans with amazing products to tempt their tastes for many seasons to come.

Up to 45% discount on 12 selected Super Tuscan Wines at Dining Room and Living Room

Park Hyatt Busan’s dining and drinking venues present “Super Tuscan Wine”, promoting Italy’s premium wines with savings of up to 45%. A wide selection of handpicked bottles are the perfect complement to our both menus among Dining Room and Living Room. Super Tuscan Wines are the highest of quality among its grown and bottled wines in Tuscany, central Italy. This unique hotel promotion, 12 Super Tuscan Wines are available for guests to choose from. Among these 12 selected Super Tuscan wines, you will find “Sassicaia”, recipient of a perfect score in wine tasting events, hosted by the international wine magazine, Decanter. This wine is the originator of Super Tuscan wines and earned an independent DOC. It is well-structured and features a deep ruby color. It is moderate in acidity and tannin, and features a long, smooth finish. Also presenting, “Tignanello”, which made a name for itself as a Super Tuscan with its rich fruity flavor, velvety tannin, firm structure and long-lasting finish. Further, “Ornellaia”, considered one of the best of the Super Tuscans, a well-balanced by intensity and elegance. All are perfect to enjoy a day at Park Hyatt Busan. The “Super Tuscan Wine” Promotion offers guests an opportunity to experience authentic premium Italian wines that are well-matched with Dining Room’s signature, grilled steak, and Living Room’s authentic Italian dishes, at a special price, staring from KRW 60,000 for half-bottle (including tax). Equally perfect for the Living Room “Antipasti Buffet” during Park Hyatt Busan’s weekend lunch. Information & Reservations: +82 51 990 1300

Policy opinions revealed in Consumer Food Insights Report

As the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture reviews the Farm Bill, consumers shared their opinions on food and agriculture policy in a new survey. The third Consumer Food Insights Report from Purdue University offers insights into the popularity of specific policies and how opinions differ depending on a consumer’s income. Increased funding for research to create crops more resistant to heat drought and flooding, and conservation programs to pay farmers and ranchers to adopt climate-smart practices were the most popular policies included, with more than 80% of the consumers in support. In addition, 63% of the respondents agreed that climate change will influence food prices. Food safety and inspection ranked as the most important USDA budget category. The survey-based report out of Purdue’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability assesses food security and spending, consumer satisfaction and values, support of agricultural and food policies and trust in information sources. Additional key results from the March survey include: (1) The Sustainable Food Purchasing (SFP) Index remained at 68/100. (2) Share of households experiencing very low food security rose to 9.7%. (3) Inability to find specific foods at the store decreased to 21%. (4) Total food spending increased by 8%. (5) 16% of spending on food away from home went to delivery. (6) At present, consumer food demand is price insensitive. The March survey added an examination of differences in responses across low-, middle- and high-income brackets. The results showed differences in support of policies like SNAP benefits and a sweetened beverage tax, as well as in self-assessment of sustainable food purchasing. “The survey results show that income is a big driver of food preferences and buying behavior,” said Jayson Lusk, head and Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue, who leads the center. “Lower income consumers spend a larger share of the their income on food, place greater weight on food affordability, are more likely to choose generic over branded products, and are overall less happy with their diets than higher-income consumers. As a result, policies that increase the price of food have a disproportionate impact on lower-income households.” Another interesting policy-related result was broad support for the regulation of environmental claims that food companies can make, he said. “Consumers may be confused by or have difficulty navigating the current food sustainability advertising landscape,” Lusk said. “Seventy percent of respondents supported new regulations on what companies can say about their products.” The survey results showed large majorities support individual policies that could improve food system outcomes, such as funding more agricultural research or regulating confined animal feeding operations, said Sam Polson, a food and agriculture survey scientist for the center and co-author of the report. “However, from a policymaking perspective, there is an increasing congressional focus on large omnibus legislation, and the public opinion data on these bills tend to be less clear,” he said. “It is difficult to say that the popularity of a policy like expanding pandemic-related SNAP benefits would hold when attached to other policy objectives. “Our results also reaffirm conventional wisdom in policymaking: Spending less rarely makes for popular policy. People are much more likely to support the status quo or favor increased federal spending.” The Sustainable Food Purchasing Index (SFP) value for March remained the same as February at 68/100. The score reflects consumer food purchasing that aligns with a set of key recommendations for healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The index includes six components correlating with different strategies for achieving food system transformation: nutrition, environment, social, economic, security and taste. Higher-income consumers tended to rate the sustainability of their diets as higher than did lower-income consumers, particularly on dimensions related to taste, security, economics and nutrition. By contrast, there were very little difference in high vs. low income on sustainability dimensions related to social and environment, Lusk said. He further discusses the report in his blog. Video of Lusk explaining the report is available at Youtube The Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability is part of Purdue’s Next Moves in agriculture and food systems, and seeks to use innovative data analysis shared through user-friendly platforms to improve the food system. In addition to the Consumer Food Insights Report, the center offers a portfolio of online dashboards.

Ag Economy Barometer slides lower, producers concerned about war’s impact on input prices

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dipped to a reading of 113 in March, down 12 points from February and 36% lower than March 2021, marking the weakest farmer sentiment reading since May 2020, the early days of the pandemic. The decline was driven by producers’ weaker perceptions of both current conditions in the agricultural economy and expectations for the future. The Index of Current Conditions declined 19 points to 113, down 44% from March 2021, and the Index of Future Expectations declined 9 points to 113, down 31% from the same time last year. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted March 14-18. “Concern about the war’s impact on input prices and input availability on their farming operations was paramount in the minds of producers responding to the March survey and was a major factor in this month’s decline in sentiment,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. The March survey provided the first opportunity to ask producers how they expect the war in Ukraine to affect U.S. agriculture. Producers overwhelmingly said they expect input prices to be most affected (63% of respondents), followed by crop prices (33% of respondents), and livestock prices (3% of respondents). Responding to a related question, 19% of respondents chose “availability of inputs” as their biggest concern in their farming operation this year, which was equal to the percentage of producers who chose “lower crop and/or livestock prices” as their biggest concern. Diving deeper into producers’ expectations for farm input prices in the upcoming year, 57% expect farm input prices to rise by 20% or more, and 36% think input prices will rise by 30% or more. And, just over one-fourth (27%) of producers say they’ve had difficulty purchasing crop inputs for the 2022 crop season. Producers report that supply chain problems persist across a wide range of inputs, with herbicides, fertilizer and farm machinery parts posing the most problems. Producers continue to say that they expect their farm’s financial performance to decline in 2022 compared to 2021. The March Farm Financial Performance Index, which asks producers whether they expect their farm's financial performance in 2022 to be better than, worse than or about the same as in 2021, was up slightly (4 points) at a reading of 87 but remains 30% lower than a year earlier. “When producers think about how their farm will fare financially in 2022, it’s clear they do not expect commodity price strength to offset the dramatic rise in farm production costs they are experiencing,” Mintert said. Producers do not view this as a good time to make large investments in their farming operations as the Farm Capital Investment Index fell again in March. The index was 6 points lower than a month earlier and 59% lower than in March 2021 when it was near its all-time peak. In a pair of follow-up questions, 62% of respondents said their plans for farm machinery purchases in the upcoming year are lower than a year earlier, which is the most negative response to that question since May 2020. When asked a similar question about their plans for farm building and grain bin construction, 68% of respondents chose “lower,” which was the most negative response received to that question since its first inclusion in a barometer survey in May 2021. Supply chain problems continue to haunt both the farm machinery and construction sectors and are one of the reasons producers don’t view this as a good time for large investments. For example, 42% of producers this month said their machinery purchase plans were impacted by low farm machinery inventories, consistent with industry reports that major machinery manufacturers are experiencing order backlogs. Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report. The site also offers additional resources – such as past reports, charts and survey methodology – and a form to sign up for monthly barometer email updates and webinars. Each month, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture provides a short video analysis of the barometer results. For even more information, check out the Purdue Commercial AgCast podcast. It includes a detailed breakdown of each month’s barometer, in addition to a discussion of recent agricultural news that affects farmers. The Ag Economy Barometer, Index of Current Conditions and Index of Future Expectations are available on the Bloomberg Terminal under the following ticker symbols: AGECBARO, AGECCURC and AGECFTEX.

DataWeave Releases Report on Grocery Private Label: Finds Inflation-Driven Explosion

DataWeave, a global leader in retail data, pricing and AI analytics, today releases its report on the ascent of private label brands in the grocery space, Inflation Accelerates Private Label Share and Penetration. The study digs deep into the reasons behind and numbers backing the rise in popularity of private label food brands and products resulting from the pandemic, and now rising inflation. “Across the ten major grocery retail chains we analyzed, private label brands were more economical compared to national brands, which is likely one of the key factors contributing to the private label’s increased penetration across grocery categories, said DataWeave CEO Karthik Bettadapura. “We will continue to watch private label closely, as it seems to be impacting many decisions across the retail value chain, from margins to merchandising.” The report looks at top private label brand penetration, ranks brands by category, and tracks price variations across regions, along with private label ratings, reviews and ranks. It finds that on average, retailers in the U.S. carried more than 4,500 private label products online and had private label brand penetration of more than 13 percent. DataWeave analysts feel this trend will only continue to grow at a historic rate as inflation pushes consumers to buy more affordable private label products in the months ahead. “Availability and affordability amid prolonged economic uncertainty furthered the power and presence of private label brands in 2021, increasing market penetration beyond all expectation. Our data found that eight of the top ten brands with the highest number of SKUs carried across all grocery retailer websites in our analysis were private label goods, signaling the strength of their Share of Voice and verifying a shift in consumer preferences,” said Krish Thyagarajan, president and COO of DataWeave. DataWeave’s methodology draws on more than 500 billion global data points, looking at both external sources and their own internal banks to explain that data. This Private Label report is the latest to compare prices and popular differences by brand, category and retailer, in light of inflation and market-driven economic changes. Watch next for a DataWeave report on the shrinking price disparity between organic and regular food products, with an interesting private label twist. DataWeave is a leading provider of advanced sales optimization solutions for e-commerce businesses, consumer brands and marketplaces. The AI-driven proprietary technology and language-agnostic platform aggregates consumable and actionable Competitive Intelligence across 500+ billion data points globally, in 25+ languages, with insights to drive performance for more than 400,000 brands across 1,500+ websites tracked across 20+ verticals and ensure online performance is always optimized. Learn more about the power of big data and global level analytics in understanding the rapidly changing retail industry at DataWeave.com

Consumer Food Insights Report details consumer reaction to inflation

Consumers are managing inflation in food prices for now, but their expectations to experience future inflation increased from last month, according to this month’s Consumer Food Insights Report from Purdue University. The survey-based report out of Purdue’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability assesses food security and spending, consumer satisfaction and values, support of agricultural and food policies and trust in information sources. Key results from the February survey are: 1) A Sustainable Food Purchasing (SFP) Index of 68/100. 2) Food inflation expectations among consumers are on the rise. 3) In response to inflation, 24% of respondents sought out more sales and discounts; 31% have not changed their behavior. 4) Weekly food spending increased by 3.2% and 5.5% on food away from home. 5) 67% of respondents reported not seeing the “Bioengineered” label that is now mandatory on certain genetically engineered food products. “Increasing inflation expectations are a bit worrisome because expectations of future price can lead to a self-fulfilling prophesy,” said Jayson Lusk, the head and Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue, who leads the center. “However, I find it more interesting that consumers’ perceptions of how much food prices have increased over the past year is quite a bit lower than the official data.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that prices of food at grocery increased 7.4% over the course of the past year, but the consumers surveyed for the Consumer Food Insight Report said, on average, they thought food prices had increased 5.2% over the past year. “Maybe consumers aren’t ‘feeling’ inflation as much because they can adjust to higher prices in a variety of ways like shopping on sale or substituting lower price alternatives,” Lusk said. “When we asked consumers how they were responding to increased food prices, the most common answer was that they had made little to no change in their shopping habits, which suggests wage and income growth, coupled with savings, have not led to major shifts in consumers’ buying habits.” The Sustainable Food Purchasing Index (SFP) value for February is 68/100. The score reflects consumer food purchasing that aligns with a set of key recommendations for healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The index includes six components correlating with different strategies for achieving food system transformation: nutrition, environment, social, economic, security and taste. “The stability of the SFP Index and other measures in the report gives us confidence in the survey and our work,” said Sam Polzin, a food and agriculture survey scientist for the center and co-author of the report. “It means we are getting at fundamental measures of consumer behaviors and opinions. With a solid baseline, we will be able to recognize trends and future shifts in consumer food purchases and preferences.” The Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability is part of Purdue’s Next Moves in agriculture and food systems, and seeks to use innovative data analysis shared through user-friendly platforms to improve the food system. In addition to the Consumer Food Insights Report, the center offers a portfolio of online dashboards.

iTradeNetwork Offers Two Introductory Webinars on OrderMaestro

iTradeNetwork, the food and beverage industry’s largest network, will be hosting two webinars to introduce its new solution—OrderMaestro, a branded mobile ordering experience that streamlines and automates ordering and inventory for the foodservice industry. Each webinar is designed for a specific OrderMaestro customer segment—distributors or operators—and will be hosted by Mike Anderson, iTradeNetwork’s Vice President of Sales Solutions. Webinar details: OrderMaestro for Operators | March 10, 2022, at 2 p.m. EDT / 11.a.m. PDT OrderMaestro for Distributors | March 17, 2022, at 2 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m. PDT OrderMaestro solves the unique, complex challenges that distributors and operators are facing today. With thousands of competitors on the market, OrderMaestro gives distributors a competitive advantage by delivering a best-in-class e-commerce solution that customers love. For operators, not only does OrderMaestro make their teams faster and more productive with a simplified ordering experience, but it also gives them the visibility to maximize purchasing compliance and uncover new contracting opportunities across geographies, categories and operating units. OrderMaestro customers increase productivity, reduce costs and drive revenue growth with a host of valuable features. Webinar attendees can look forward to learning more about how operators and distributors can: Combat labor shortages with an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app - no formal training required. Use smart barcode scanning and voice recognition technology to place an order or take inventory in as little as 3 clicks. Collect rich, comprehensive data on the products that are being purchased across their organization or customer base. Build in-app promotion programs that create new sources of revenue and even distributor loyalty programs. Collaborate in real time with alerts and in-app messaging and save the hours spent communicating through phone calls and emails. Take inventory from a mobile device in any environment, online or offline.

Farmer sentiment rises during commodity price rally; concern over production costs remains

Farmer sentiment continues to fluctuate month-to-month as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 6 points to a reading of 125 in February, a mirror image of the previous month. The Index of Current Conditions was down 1 point to a reading of 132, while the Index of Future Expectations improved 10 points to a reading of 122. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted Feb. 14-18, days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Farm Financial Performance Index remained unchanged in February at a reading of 83. However, the sharp drop in the index, down 27% from late 2021 to 2022, indicates producers expect financial performance in 2022 to be worse than in 2021. The financial index is generated based upon producers’ responses to whether they expect their farm's current financial performance to be better than, worse than or about the same as the previous year. “These survey responses suggest that concerns about the spike in production costs and supply chain issues continue to mostly outweigh the impact of the commodity price rally that’s been underway this winter,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. Higher input costs have consistently been the number one concern identified by farmers over the past six-months, according to results from the Ag Economy Barometer survey. To gain additional insight into the concerns of producers, this month respondents were provided with a more detailed set of possible responses when answering this question. While a majority still consider input costs as their number one concern (47%), it was followed by lower output prices (16%), environmental policy (13%), farm policy (9%), climate policy (8%), and COVID-19’s impact (7%). Tight machinery inventories continue to be a problem. In February, over 40% of producers stated that low farm machinery inventories are holding back their investment plans. While plans for farm building and grain bin construction were more optimistic this month, 56% still said their plans for new construction are below the previous year. Thirty percent of corn and soybean producers say they’ve had difficulty purchasing crop inputs from their suppliers. In a follow-up question posed to corn and soybean producers who said they experienced difficulty procuring inputs, herbicides are the most problematic input to source followed by fertilizer and farm machinery parts. To learn more about how crop producers are responding to surging fertilizer prices, corn producers were again asked if they plan to change their nitrogen fertilizer application rate in 2022 compared to the rate used in 2021. One-third of corn producers in this month’s survey said they plan to use a lower nitrogen application rate this year than in 2021, compared with 37% of corn producers who said they planned to reduce their nitrogen application rate when surveyed in January. Each winter, the barometer survey asks producers to project their farm’s annual growth rate over the next five years. In 2022, 53% stated they either had no plans to grow or plan to retire/exit in the next five years, 19% expect their farm’s annual growth rate to range from 5%-10% and while 18% expect their farm’s annual growth rate to be less than 5%. The need for better broadband coverage in rural areas has been highlighted in several legislative proposals at both the state and national level. The February barometer survey included a question asking respondents to characterize the quality of their farm’s internet access. Just three of 10 respondents said they had “high-quality” internet access, 41% said “moderate quality,” 16% chose “poor quality” on the survey, and 12% stated that they did not have internet access at all. Responses to this question suggest that nearly three of 10 farms in this month’s survey are unable to take advantage of many applications and services which require reasonable quality internet access. Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report. The site also offers additional resources – such as past reports, charts and survey methodology – and a form to sign up for monthly barometer email updates and webinars. Each month, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture provides a short video analysis of the barometer results. For even more information, check out the Purdue Commercial AgCast podcast. It includes a detailed breakdown of each month’s barometer, in addition to a discussion of recent agricultural news that affects farmers. The Ag Economy Barometer, Index of Current Conditions and Index of Future Expectations are available on the Bloomberg Terminal under the following ticker symbols: AGECBARO, AGECCURC and AGECFTEX.

Kosher Wine Options Are Flourishing More Than Ever as Renowned Wine Producers Continue to Innovate

Every spring, Jews around the world celebrate Passover. The highlight of the holiday is the Seder—a festive meal when the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt is recalled and celebrated across the generations. Wine, considered the drink of royalty, plays a central role in the Seder ritual. Jews are commanded to drink four cups throughout the evening as a symbol of freedom from bondage. That’s a lot of wine! Fortunately, the pandemic couldn’t stop the evolution and expansion of the kosher wine market, and there will be no shortage of wine options when the 8-day Passover holiday begins on April 15. Quite the contrary. “Consumers looking for wines from renowned regions throughout the old and new world can satisfy their thirst with more options than ever before,” said wine expert Gabriel Geller, Director of Public Relations for Royal Wine Corp., the largest manufacturer, importer, and exporter of kosher wine. It seems the problem is not the availability of great wine but the overwhelming number of great wines to choose from. "Royal Wine offers a delicious selection of kosher for Passover wines from around the world,” said Geller. “Some of the top producers are creating award-winning varietals at every price point.” With Passover just around the corner, he wants to take the guesswork out of buying wine. Red or white? For those who love a luxurious, bold, layered red, Geller recommends Jewel, Psagot’s new flagship wine (SRP $150). “It’s an impressive bottle of wine with notes of rich black fruit, cedar, and vanilla.” White wine enthusiasts will enjoy Rimapere (SRP $23), “a delicious, fragrant, floral, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc”. And it’s hard to go wrong with Baron Herzog Rosé (SRP $12). “Fruit-forward, light, flavorful and crisp,” he says, “this crowd-pleaser is a fantastic value.” Of special interest to the wine world is the return of a kosher batch from the very prestigious Château Pontet-Canet, 5th Cru Pauillac (SRP $225). Geller warns that it may be very difficult to find this fine Bordeaux. “The 2019 vintage is extremely limited and fully pre-booked pre-release in March,” he explains. However, it will be easy to sample a good selection from Baron Herzog, the historic entry-level quality kosher wines from Herzog Wine Cellars. “They recently underwent a complete revamping,” Geller notes. “Reasonably priced at $9 to $13, Baron Herzog showcases the best in California wines.” New from South Africa - Royal Wine has added ESSA Winery to its portfolio, just in time for Passover. This new boutique winery produces arguably the best quality kosher wine to ever come out of South Africa. ESSA offers four different wines - a white Bordeaux-style blend, a red Bordeaux-style blend, a Malbec, and a Cabernet Franc grown in some of South Africa’s most prized vineyards. The wines range from SRP $20-$50. ESSA is the dream come true of Joshua Rynderman, a young Boston-raised winemaker. He spends half of the year making kosher wine in California and the other half making kosher wine in South Africa. Chana, his South African wife, is the CEO. Carmel Winery’s new Carmel Special Reserve 40th Anniversary Edition 2016 (SRP $80) is also high on Geller’s list. “This wine is a tribute to the legendary 1976 Carmel Special Reserve, Israel’s first modern high-quality red wine.” Carmel, the pioneer of the modern Israeli wine industry, was founded by Château Lafite’s Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1882. Rounding out Geller’s recommendations are Rothschild’s Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc 2021 from New Zealand (SRP $25) and semi-dry rosés and a Pinot Noirs from Tura, the estate winery in the heart of biblical Israel (SRP $25-$90). As for coming trends, Geller is pleased to note that Burgundy is making a comeback, and fans of Italian wine can look for new releases in the coming months, including a Vermentino, a Barbera d’Asti, and a Super Tuscan.

Kosher Wine Options Are Flourishing More Than Ever as Renowned Wine Producers Continue to Innovate

FreshEdge Launches New Website

FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies, has launched a refreshed and expanded www.freshedgefoods.com FreshEdge partnered with DMA Solutions (Dallas, Texas), a marketing agency dedicated to exclusively serving the fresh produce industry. The website creates opportunities for connecting with FreshEdge’s operating companies and engaging in what makes their family unique. FreshEdge now operates with 1,640 employees, approximately 700,250 square feet of warehouse space, with a fleet of more than 650 trucks, delivering fresh food to customers in 22 states. Through rapid growth and consistent execution, FreshEdge has quickly amassed a reputation for adding value throughout the fresh foods industry. “FreshEdge’s new website is a splash of freshness,” said Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge. “It also symbolizes who we are – a growing family of customer-obsessed fresh food companies who care.” Greg Corsaro, President and COO of FreshEdge, added, “The revamped website reflects FreshEdge’s value proposition of providing dependable, customized solutions with cutting-edge technology for consistent, reliable delivery of fresh food with a sense of family and trust.” “We’re excited about the unique space this new website delivers for connecting FreshEdge, its family, and our industry partners,” said Daniel Corsaro, President of Indianapolis Fruit (FreshEdge retail operating company) and participant in the development of the new site.

Jellyfish Inspired Rare Japanese Whisky Collection on Sale Friday.

This Friday, a rare opportunity will arise for whisky enthusiasts to experience the increasingly sought-after taste of Japanese single malt. From the legendary Karuizawa distillery, online luxury spirits retailer dekantā exclusively presents their latest bottling; The Kurage Collection. With 40 sets available, this limited-edition, single malt pair offers dekantā clients a chance to own some of the world’s rarest whisky. Containing liquid distilled in the millennium, before the Karuizawa distillery ceased production, bottlings of the remaining Karuizawa stock are in increasing demand. The duo set Kurage Collection will go on sale on a first-come-first-served basis on dekanta.com on Friday, February 11, 2022. The two-bottle set of 1999-2000 vintage ($13,500 per set: 70cl; 55 % ABV and 70cl; 60.6 % ABV) were designed to showcase one of Japan’s legendary sea creatures; the Japanese Sea Nettle. These gentle jellyfish frequent the Pacific waters with their long, trailing tentacles, earning the series its name; Kurage. “We feel that Japanese Sea Nettles capture the true essence of Japanese people and our culture, while also having parallels with the legendary Karuizawa liquid - they are beautiful and elegant in appearance but strong, powerful and determined underneath,” said dekantā founder and director, Makiyo Masa. The text on the two bottles tells the origin story of dekantā. “You’ve not seen a collection like this before, this set is one the most visually impressive designs in the world to date,” said Liam Hiller, head of content for dekantā. Various European oak sherry casks and maturities were selected and blended to showcase the full range of notes unique to Karuizawa expressions. “The casks have subtly influenced the color of the liquid, turning it to a gentle mahogany, while also imparting an incredible array of notes onto the spirit. It’s fruity, spicy, and incredibly smooth on the palate,” said Liam Hiller. Makiyo Masa said; “This collection joins an extensive list of exquisite old and rare single malt bottlings that dekantā have sourced, designed and bottled over the years, becoming a piece of Japanese whisky history in the process.” The Kurage Collection goes on sale on dekanta.com on February 11, 7pm EST, 4pm PST and 9am JST. Customers will receive their sets in mid-March.

Farmer sentiment rises on strengthening current financial position

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose for only the second time since May, up 9 points to a reading of 125 in December. The Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations also rose this month with a stronger current conditions index primarily responsible for the barometer’s rise. The December’s Index of Current Conditions rose 18 points to a reading of 146, while the Index of Future Expectations rose 4 points to a reading of 114. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted Dec. 8-14. December marked the second month in a row that farmers reported a stronger financial performance for their farms. The Farm Financial Performance Index rose 7 points to 113 in December which is the index’s highest reading since May and is 21% higher than readings obtained just before the pandemic’s onset. “Excellent crop yields this fall, combined with strong crop prices, provided many producers with their most positive cash flow in recent years. That combination helps explain the year-end rise in the financial index as well as the barometer overall,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. Even as supply chain issues continue to hamper producers’ capital investment plans, the Farm Capital Investment Index rose in December, up 10 points to a reading of 49. This marks the most positive value for the investment index since August, but remains 47% lower than in December. The investment index’s improvement was primarily the result of fewer producers in December saying they planned to reduce their machinery purchases in the upcoming year, responding instead that they plan to hold their investments steady with the prior year. This month, 45% of survey participants said that low farm machinery inventory levels impacted their farm machinery purchase plans. Farmers expressed concern about rising production costs and the availability of production inputs. When asked what their biggest concerns are for their farming operation in the upcoming year, 47% of respondents selected higher input cost from a list that included lower crop and/or livestock prices, environmental policy, farm policy, climate policy and COVID’s impact. Over half (57%) of producers said they expect farm input prices in the upcoming year to rise by more than 20% compared with a year earlier, and nearly four out of 10 respondents said they expect input prices to rise by more than 30%. This month’s survey also asked crop producers if they have had any difficulty purchasing crop inputs from their suppliers for the 2022 crop season. Nearly four out of 10 (39%) of respondents said they’ve experienced some difficulties. In a follow-up question, producers who indicated that they were experiencing difficulties in making purchases were asked which crop inputs they’ve had trouble purchasing. Responses were varied, which could be an indication of problems across the supply chain and included difficulties in purchasing fertilizer (31%), herbicides (28%), farm machinery parts (24%) and insecticides (17%). Both the short-term and long-term farmland value indices declined slightly in December. The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectation Index declined 4 points to 153, while the long-term index declined 6 points to 152. Although both indices declined in December, they remain near their all-time highs. Producers who indicated they expect farmland values to rise over the next five years were asked a follow-up question asking them about the main reason they expect farmland values to rise. Producers indicated nonfarm investor demand (61%), low interest rates (13%), and strong farm cash flows (11%) were their primary reasons for expecting values to rise. Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report. The site also offers additional resources – such as past reports, charts and survey methodology – and a form to sign up for monthly barometer email updates and webinars. Each month, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture provides a short video analysis of the barometer results. For even more information, check out the Purdue Commercial AgCast podcast. It includes a detailed breakdown of each month’s barometer, in addition to a discussion of recent agricultural news that affects farmers. The Ag Economy Barometer, Index of Current Conditions and Index of Future Expectations are available on the Bloomberg terminal under the following ticker symbols: AGECBARO, AGECCURC and AGECFTEX.

Tiger Beer inspires fans to set aside their fears and pursue bold ambitions in the Year of the Tiger

Tiger Beer, the number one international premium beer in Asia, has today ignited a new movement to encourage people everywhere to set aside their fears and achieve bold ambitions in the Year of the Tiger. The Year of the Tiger will begin at Lunar New Year on 1st February 2022 and marks the perfect opportunity to embody the symbolic power of the Tiger and uncage your bold ambitions for the year ahead. Tiger Beer will be showcasing a series of inspirational stories that show what can be achieved in the Year of the Tiger by going for your ambitions in your own way. Fans across the globe can participate in the movement by responding to the "My Year, My Goals", Instagram "Add Yours" story sticker feature created by Tiger Beer with their own ambitions for the Year of the Tiger. Tiger Beer has also launched a new campaign film entitled 'The Year of Your Tiger', celebrating the optimism and bold ambitions of people across the world ahead of the Year of the Tiger. The film features individuals from all walks of life sharing their determination to ignite their inner courage and make 2022 their year. Sean O'Donnell, Global Brand Director, Tiger®, Tiger Beer comments: "Tiger Beer was born from defying the odds with a bold and courageous spirit. Brewing beer in the tropics was thought to be impossible until we did it. We believe that we are all born with a Tiger inside us - a version of ourselves that knows no limits to what is possible - but few of us are able to uncage it. We're delighted to launch this year-long movement to encourage people everywhere to own the year." Follow @tigerbeer on Instagram and Facebook for more updates on the campaign.

Farmer sentiment weakens as production cost concerns mount

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer slipped 5 points in November to a reading of 116 as producers continue to be pessimistic about both the current and future outlook of the agricultural economy. The Index of Current Conditions declined 7 points in November to a reading of 128, and the Index of Future Expectations fell 4 points to 110. November marked the lowest reading of 2021 for all three measures of producer sentiment and comparing year-over-year, the barometer is 30% lower than in November of 2020. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted Nov. 15-19. “Farmers are facing sharp rises in production costs coinciding with fluctuating crop and livestock prices, the prospect of changing environmental and tax policy, uncertainty over COVID-19, as well as a host of other issues, all of which are negatively impacting farmer sentiment,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. Rising production costs, including those for fertilizer, farm machinery, seed and fuel, are of increasing concern to farmers. For example, in November 43% of survey respondents said they expect farm input prices to rise by more than 16% in the upcoming year. This compares with the actual average rate of farm input price inflation over the past decade of less than 2%. Supply chain problems could be responsible for a drop in the Farm Capital Investment Index. The index declined 7 points to a reading of 39, the lowest reading since April of 2020. In November, 44% of producers said their farm machinery purchase plans were impacted by low farm machinery inventories. When asked what their biggest concerns are for their farming operation in the upcoming year, nearly half (47%) of survey respondents chose higher input costs. Unlike the broader sentiment measures, the Farm Financial Performance Index rose 2 points to 106 in November, 10% above its low reading in June of 2021. “Compared to late spring, strong crop yields for fall harvested crops and strength in wheat prices helped push 2021 crop revenue and profitability estimates up, compared to one year ago,” Mintert said. Producers remain very optimistic about farmland values over both the next 12 months and the next five years, as both the short-term and long-term farmland value expectations indices remain near their peaks. Mintert says, “Strong cash flows from crops in 2021, low interest rates and, possibly, rising concerns about inflation continue to propel farmland values higher.” Somewhat surprisingly, given the concerns about rising input costs, 52% of corn/soybean producers expect cash rental rates to rise in 2022 compared with 43% in October. This marks the highest percentage of producers reporting that they expect rental rates in 2022 to rise since the May 2021 survey. Both interest and awareness of leasing farmland for solar energy projects is on the rise. In November, 11% all respondents reported having a discussion with a company or companies about leasing farmland for solar energy production; however, reported lease rates continue to vary widely. In November, 25% of producers who reported having discussions with a solar leasing company said they were offered less than $500 per acre, while 34% of producers said they were offered a lease rate of $1,000 or more per acre. Concerns over governmental policy and regulations remain elevated among farmers. On the November 2021 survey, 82% of respondents said they expect more restrictive environmental regulations, 74% expect higher estate taxes, and 77% expect higher income taxes in the years ahead. These percentages compare to results from the October 2020 survey when just 41% of producers expected more restrictive environmental regulations and 35% expected higher estate taxes over the next five years. Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report online. The site also offers additional resources such as past reports, charts and survey methodology, and a form to sign up for monthly barometer email updates and webinars. Each month, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture provides a short video analysis of the barometer results. For even more information, check out the Purdue Commercial AgCast podcast. It includes a detailed breakdown of each month’s barometer, in addition to a discussion of recent agricultural news that affects farmers. The Ag Economy Barometer, Index of Current Conditions and Index of Future Expectations are available on the Bloomberg Terminal under the following ticker symbols: AGECBARO, AGECCURC and AGECFTEX.

Japanese Whisky Paired With J Jazz Will Have You Tasting Notes

Japanese whisky specialists dekantā present a Japanese Jazz LP compiled by BBE Music and featuring beloved tracks each matched with a Japanese whisky. Produced in association with independent record label BBE Music, this new LP from dekantā - an award-winning independent bottler of Japanese whisky and leading online retailer of spirits and wine from Japan - features nine vintage Japanese Jazz tracks from legends of the industry, including previously unreleased tracks, each paired with a classic expression of Japanese whisky, creating a unique sensory experience. Compiled exclusively for dekantā by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden, both long-time collectors of Japanese jazz, ‘Transient Tones For Timeless Spirits - A dekantā LP’ (RRP 399.99 USD) seeks to present the very best in modern jazz from Japan, including limited releases adored by fans of the genre, and rare recordings that were nearly lost to history, lovingly remastered at Grammy nominated London studio The Carvery. From the post-war modern jazz scene in Japan emerged some of the most dynamic and influential recordings in the genre's history. This was a world before a commitment to digital, when the culture grew through the recording of intimate sessions and some of the most historic performances were pressed to vinyl only in tiny numbers. Among the artists featured are truly seminal figures in the J Jazz scene, including Kohsuke Mine and Takashi Miyasaka; among some of the finest players in jazz history, such as Takeo Moriyama, Aki Takase, and the combined power of J Jazz supertrio Isao Suzuki, Masahiko Togasgu and Hideo Ichikawa. Created by contemporary illustrator and animator, Edu Fuentes, the album cover is a reimagining of Kitagawa Utamaro’s ‘Kinko Riding Catfish’, originally a woodblock print; here Kinko rides through the city of Tokyo at night, muted shades turning fluorescent, spotlighting the vibrancy of modern Japan and the culture of J Jazz. This limited edition collection features nine 5cl miniatures of Japanese whiskies from the country’s most highly regarded producers, including Yamazaki 12, Taketsuru 17 Year Old, Hibiki 17 Year Old and other award-winning and recognisable expressions. Each whisky has been selected to complement the Japanese Jazz track it has been matched with. Only 300 boxes have been produced. “This album was created out of a desire to find the truly collectible pieces of J Jazz history to match the scarce produce of Japan’s acclaimed whisky producers,” said dekantā Founder and Director Makiyo Masa. “A true showcase of the genius musicianship and stunning compositions that form the identity of this imitable era of jazz history, this album, and accompanying whiskies, will take your mind, nose and palate on a journey that you’ll remember for a lifetime.” This release arrives at a time when demand for the category has been demonstrably high. In a recent survey (February 2021) of more than 1,600 randomly sampled individuals, conducted by dekantā, nearly two thirds of surveyed drinkers reported spending more on Japanese whisky in 2020 than the previous year. Furthermore, in April this year, the major producers of Japanese whisky agreed to move towards a new standard for labelling, with the aim of protecting the interests of consumers and creating a fairer market for Japanese whisky. ‘Transient Tones For Timeless Spirits - A dekantā LP’ will be available to order from dekanta.com from Friday 3 December 2021, delivery available worldwide (excluding some regions).

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