55th Foodcom PLANT-BASED Newsletter

Welcome to our plant-based newsletter!

This week we focus on market movements and discussions impacting key commodities such as vegetable proteins, organic products and cationic starch. Look out for our analysis of rising demand, production prospects and global trade dynamics that are currently influencing the industry environment.

Let’s take a look at what else is happening on the market!

Products of the Week

Organic Products

Growing organic awareness and consumer concerns about pesticides are contributing to an increase in demand for organic products such as potato flakes and vital wheat gluten. However, due to this year’s difficulties, such as a severe potato shortage, we expect less availability of organic products at harvest. This situation sheds light on potential challenges and we wonder if similar problems will occur in the production of wheat products.

High Protein Products

Awareness of healthy eating is contributing to an increased demand for protein-rich products, such as those based on pea, rice and soya proteins. Although the market for these products is dominated by Asian manufacturers, products from Europe are becoming increasingly popular, despite being at least twice as expensive. Isolated soy protein in particular has become the star of this half-year. Due to its high protein content, it is increasingly used in sports nutrition and as an additive to meat products.

Cationic Starch

In response to the growing demand for high-quality and environmentally friendly products, paper manufacturers are increasingly turning to cationic starch. This chemically modified starch improves the strength and printing properties of paper and increases the efficiency of water and chemical retention in production processes. As demand for paperboard products continues to grow, we are seeing an increased interest in this raw material. Some manufacturers are even switching from food starch production to paper starch, demonstrating the dynamic growth of this technology in the industry.

News

Russia and North Korea explore agricultural relations in times of food shortages

Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev has met with North Korean Vice Premier Ri Chol Man in Moscow to discuss the intensification of agricultural cooperation between the two countries. This meeting marks an intensification of relations in various agricultural sectors in the face of ongoing food shortages in North Korea, exacerbated by UN sanctions and natural disasters. Russia, a leading global wheat exporter with agricultural exports worth more than 45 billion dollars in 2023, is further expanding its international agricultural relations.

EU Parliament approves weakening of green conditions for agricultural subsidies after protests

The European Parliament has backed proposals to ease environmental conditions attached to EU farm subsidies in response to widespread protests from farmers. Key changes include removing the requirement for farmers to leave 4% of their land fallow to promote biodiversity, allowing for more flexible crop diversification and exemptions from the rules in extreme weather conditions. This adjustment comes ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections and reflects the urgency of lawmakers to alleviate farmer discontent, which has been exacerbated by challenges such as cheap imports and strict EU regulations. Critics, including Green MEPs and organic farming advocates, argue that these changes jeopardize the EU’s environmental goals and fail to address core issues such as price imbalances that affect farmers.

India investigates MDH, Everest Spices after Hong Kong ban over pesticide concerns

The Food Safety Authority of India will conduct quality checks on MDH and Everest Group spices after Hong Kong banned certain products because they contain ethylene oxide, a pesticide linked to cancer risks. The move comes after the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong discovered the harmful pesticide in several pre-packaged spice products from these brands. The affected products include ‘Madras Curry Powder’, ‘Sambhar Masala Powder’, ‘Curry Powder’ and Everest’s ‘Fish Curry Masala’ by MDH. This investigation was triggered by public concern after Indian media highlighted the Hong Kong ban, which was originally announced on April 5. In a similar case, the Singapore Food Authority called for a recall of ‘Everest Fish Curry Masala’ in April for similar reasons.