Cookies and Brazilian Oranges

Welcome back Food Junglers. The world is heating up, both literally and figuratively, but that’s not to say that there isn’t good news. Let’s dig in.

This week:

🍊 Oranges are in short supply in Brazil.

🍪 Ukraine is welcoming back Oreo production. 

🚚 Channels for food are reopened in Gaza.

🛍️ US grocery shoppers are preferring private label brands.

🪳 France is experimenting with a new form of protein…

CLIMATE
ORANGES AIN’T DROPPING

Extreme heat waves and disease have contributed to a rapidly declining output of oranges in Brazil and much of Floria this summer.

Brazil, in particular, has experienced one of its worst harvests in more than 30 years as well as a widespread citrus disease - called “greening” - that has plagued orange fields across the country.

As a result, prices for oranges in the US have gone haywire with concentrated orange juice futures closing at $4.77 per pound last week. That’s nearly double the price registered a year ago.

ZOOMING OUT: Brazil is currently the largest exporter of oranges in the world but, the way things are going with heat waves being commonplace all around the world, this dominance may soon be threatened.

BUSINESS
OREOS CONTINUE IN UKRAINE

Oreo maker - Mondelez International - will resume its production of Oreo cookies in Ukraine, after its previous plant was badly damaged during Russia’s invasion two years ago.

Located in a small city in the eastern part of the country, the new factory will export Oreos to Eurasian countries, such as Georgia and Kazakhstan.

The company maintained, however, that Oreos will not be exported to neighbouring Russia, despite Mondelez still having three operational factories there. 

ZOOMING OUT: While food does not fall under international sanctions, massive food companies, such as Mondelez and Nestlé, are facing backlash over their involvement in Russia. For Ukraine, though, this is one step closer to rebuilding.

POLICY
FOOD REACHES GAZA ONCE AGAIN

The Israeli military has lifted a ban on the sale of food to Gaza from Israel and the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian officials.

Gazan traders will now be able to resume purchasing fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, despite the Israeli forces’ recent assault on Rafah. Under the arrangement, all suppliers will have to be vetted by the Israeli military.

This shift marks the first time any goods produced inside Israel or the West Bank have been allowed into Gaza since the conflict began in October, 2023. 

ZOOMING OUT: Difficulties remain, though. While anywhere between 20 and 150 food trucks will potentially drive to Gaza every day, this will be nowhere near the 600 trucks-a-day that are needed to address the threat of famine.

SUPPLY CHAIN
GROCERIES GO IN-HOUSE

According to recent data, it looks like US grocery shoppers are switching to buying in-house, private label brands, rather than national brands - like Kellogg’s or Kraft - in an effort to cut costs.

According to the Food Industry Association, 65% of shoppers prefer to buy brands that are owned by the stores themselves - like Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods - as they’re often cheaper. 

Indeed, with food prices in April 26% higher than 2019 levels, who could blame shoppers that are, frankly, tired of persistent inflation?

ZOOMING OUT: Walmart and Aldi are among the biggest names in food retail that have introduced their own line of premium products this year. But, while their prices are attractive, cultivating “brand loyalty” will be a challenge.

THE BRIGHT SIDE
INSECT PROTEIN FOR THE WIN?

It’s no secret that commercially-produced meat is a huge drain on the world’s resources. And, with the climate changing rapidly, solutions to produce new sources of food are becoming all the rage.

One company - Ynsect - is working on creating food for people, livestock, and pets by commercially farming…insects.

Founded in 2011 by a group of French scientists, Ynsect is the current world leader in the production of insect protein. The company argues that, in a world of finite resources, insects need little space to grow, emit very little carbon, and produce very little waste.

At the moment, the Ynsect team grinds mealworms - the type of insect that is used for bait in fishing - to produce proteins for pets and livestock, as well as for fertiliser. But soon they’ll want to make alternative protein sources for human consumption.

Whether you're for it or against it, I’m liking the innovation here. Food Jungle approved ✅ 

SHARE THE JUNGLE

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BEFORE YOU GO…

• Mediterranean fast food chain - Cava - has reported incredibly positive figures in their latest earnings report.

• Two KFC restaurants were attacked in Baghdad, causing damage but no injuries.

• The U.S. has restricted imports of poultry and egg products from Australia over bird flu concerns as the virus is spotted down under.

• Ferrero will officially be introducing a vegan version of Nutella in Europe later this year.

TAKE A BREAK

Hi there everyone! It’s our pleasure to introduce another newsletter in the food space - BETTER BIOECONOMY - from a food technology enthusiast, Eshan Samaranayake.  

Like the team at Food Jungle, Eshan is doing his absolute best to advertise those who are making food healthier, cleaner, more sustainable, more animal-friendly AND accessible to all.

So, if you are interested in reading more on food tech, go check it out! Food Jungle approved ✅