Agrifood for thought podcast
Expana’s Agrifood for thought podcast series explores trending topics in the agrifood commodity industry every two weeks, led by Expana’s expert Editors Simon Duke and Jamie Chadwick. Find our latest discussion, and catch up on previous episodes, here.
Our latest episode:
In episode 42 of Agrifood for thought, Simon Duke opens with a brief news round-up: USMCA non-renewal in favour of bilateral US trade deals with Canada and Mexico, EU Deforestation Regulation expansion to include coffee and palm oil derivatives, and Fourth of July grilling demand dynamics. The episode’s focus, however, is on current grain and oilseed market dynamics.
Murphy Campbell (Grains and Oilseeds Reporter, Expana) covers the USDA’s June Acreage Report — wheat planted acres at a 149-year low, corn surprising to the upside despite Iran-driven fertilizer cost spikes — before examining the EPA’s record 2026–27 renewable fuel mandate, which is doubling soybean oil demand and acting as a domestic price floor amid global trade uncertainty.
Andrew Kanyemba (Senior Grains Analyst, Expana) provides a firsthand crop tour account from France. French wheat yields have been revised down to 6.9 t/ha and corn harvest cut from 12 to 9.2 million tonnes — the country’s smallest in decades. He outlines cascading EU supply implications: rising imports, declining feed demand, and a critical July flowering window that could deepen the crisis further.
Lisa Guiraud (Commercial Manager, Events at Expana) closes the episode with an update on Expana’s brand-new Chicago event.
Listen to our previous episodes below
Ep. 41 The New Era in Protein Demand
Consumers are demanding more protein… in everything. Food companies are responding to the challenge. Listen now.
Ep. 40 Middle East, Football World Cup and El Nino
In episode 40 of Agrifood for thought, we return with a new format, featuring guests.
We kick off with a news round-up (Middle East conflict situation, Super El Nino). Then follows a FIFA Football 2026 World Cup update (featuring guests Jaime Almeida, Market Reporter – Beef at Expana, talking about Mexican trends; Ryan Gallagher, Editor at Expana, discussing US beer trends; and an account of a recent interview Simon Duke had with the National Restaurant Association).
The episode concludes with a brief segment by Lisa Guiraud, Commercial Manager, Events at Expana, about Expana’s Women in Food & Agriculture (WFA) mentorship program.
Ep. 39 Innovation and Adaptation at Fruit Logistica
In this episode, we welcome Thess Mostoles from the Expana Editorial team to share insights from Fruit Logistica 2026 in Berlin.
With conversations spanning shifting trade routes, climate challenges, logistical bottlenecks, and product innovations, Thess offers a comprehensive view of how the sector is navigating supply chain unpredictability and evolving consumer demands.
From expanding blueberry exports in Latin America to new hypoallergenic apple varieties in Europe, this episode explores the resilience and adaptability shaping fresh produce markets today.
Ep. 38 Infant Formula Recalls, MAHA, and Reformulation
In this episode of Agrifood for thought, host Simon Duke discusses the dynamic and challenging landscape of the food additives sector in early 2026.
We begin with the global infant formula recalls triggered by cereulide toxin found in arachidonic acid (ARA) oil supplied to major manufacturers like Nestlé, Danone, and Lactalis. The contamination highlights vulnerabilities in global ingredient supply chains and has led to widespread recalls across more than 50 countries.
The episode then explores the US “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. MAHA emphasizes reducing exposure to synthetic additives, especially artificial food dyes, which the FDA aims to phase out through voluntary industry commitments by 2026–2027.
Attention also turns to new European Commission regulations tightening safety standards on six common food additives with phased compliance deadlines aimed at preventing supply shocks.
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