Supply & Demand articles

Why MPC isn't a clean swap for WPC80, but buyers are reaching for it anyway

As WPC80 hits historic highs, MPC is catching the spillover bid. See where the swap actually works, why prices are moving and what's next.

How the Middle East conflict reshaped US dairy commodity prices in weeks

When war broke out in the Middle East in March 2026, oil surged, supply chains scrambled, and dairy prices moved in ways that had...

US NFDM prices surged 90% in five months. Here's what's next.

From $1.18/lb in early December 2025 to a record of $2.2625/lb on May 4, 2026. The rally pushed NFDM to its highest level in 12 years.

How the rise of GLP-1 is reshaping the dairy protein industry

How GLP-1 weight loss drugs are reshaping dairy protein demand and whey pricing: what buyers, sellers, and traders need to know.

Why GLP-1 is becoming a structural headwind for sugar

GLP-1 adoption is creating a structural headwind for sugar demand. Explore consumption shifts, market signals, and short-term price outlook.

How food manufacturers are reponding to the GLP-1 trend

How 14 major food companies are responding to GLP-1 drugs with new products, reformulations, and billion-dollar strategic bets.

How GLP-1 drugs are shifting food demand: what 9 studies say

We broke down every major study and what it means for commodity demand, from dairy and sugar to poultry and fresh produce.

The US dairy herd replacement math that should worry every buyer

The US dairy herd is at its largest since 1993. But replacement heifer inventory just hit a record low. The math behind today's milk...

US butter stocks hit a 17% deficit despite record production. Here's what happened.

US butter production hit all-time highs in 2025 and early 2026. Stocks still fell 17% below prior-year levels. Read how record exports and...

US dairy's growing export dependency: what it means when the world buys your surplus

US dairy exports hit record levels across cheese, butter, and whey in 2025. That growth created a dependency that tariffs, currency...

WPC80 in 2026: why US buyers can't find product at any price

US WPC80 prices doubled from $5.80/lb to over $10.50/lb in six months. GLP-1 demand, production constraints, and a global investment...

The US dry whey market in 2025: How China tariffs and a protein boom pulled prices in opposite directions

Why the US dry whey market in 2025 was caught between trade tariffs with China and a protein boom. Here's the month-by-month breakdown.

US Butter Prices in 2025: From $2.50 to $1.45 in 12 Months

US butter prices fell 42% in 2025 as record milk fat production collided with weakening global demand. Here's the month-by-month story.

US cheese in 2025: 27% price drop in 12 months

How record US cheese production, new facility capacity, and European competition created a 27% price decline in 2025. A Month-by-month view.

US NFDM in 2025: How tariffs and global oversupply crushed the most export-dependent US dairy product

A month-by-month breakdown of why US NFDM and SMP prices collapsed in 2025 despite lower production. Tariffs and structural shifts explained.

US whey protein prices in 2025: How GLP-1 and the protein trend broke $10/lb for the first time

How changed consumer behaviour pushed US whey protein prices above the $10/lb mark. A month-by-month breakdown for procurement teams.

Announcing our new partnership with Episode3: Australian Red Meat Market reports now live on Vesper

Each month, Episode 3 publishes the Australian Red Meat Market Report directly on Vesper. The report covers two sections: Beef and Lamb.

Interview: Cargill on the next cocoa era, alternatives, and procurement navigating volatility

Cargill has long been one of the most prominent players in the food ingredients industry and a key player in cocoa specifically.

Interview: UK start-up NuKoKo founder on the future of cocoa-free chocolate

The cocoa market hit unprecedented levels at the end of last year and has experienced a dramatic decline throughout 2025.

Top 10 tips for successful commodity trading - Insights from the Strong Source podcast

Discover the top 10 tips for successful commodity trading from leading traders and executives. Learn essential practices in risk management...

How European white sugar prices moved through 2025: A month-by-month breakdown

Explore how European white sugar prices moved month by month in 2025. From regional price differences to weather impacts and supply cuts.

Alternative cocoa solutions: exploring cocoa-free ingredients for sourcing stability

The cocoa market in the last five years is best defined by dramatic price surges and extreme volatility, driven by supply shocks.

Why cocoa prices dropped 43%: One of the biggest commodity corrections in 2025

Learn why cocoa prices fell 43% from €10,800 to €6,150 in 2025. Analysis of demand destruction, supply issues, and structural market changes.

Understanding silent market signals to improve commodity procurement strategy

These days, procurement professionals have commodity intelligence platforms, like Vesper, to help provide the most accurate insights.

Wheat types for industrial baking: Procurement manager's buying guide 2026

Wheat procurement best practices for industrial baking. Compare hard, soft, durum & milling wheat prices, seasonal trends.

Why coconut oil prices increased by 33% in 2025: A complete month-by-month timeline

Discover why coconut oil prices surged 33% in 2025. Explore key drivers, monthly market events, and expert price outlooks.

How weather may shape bakery ingredient prices in 2026: key recommendations on when to buy

Discover how extreme weather in 2025 is affecting global supply chains and pricing for sugar, grains, oils, cocoa, and nuts.

From Cocoa to Crude: The interconnected world of biofuels, feedstocks and commodity trading, with Denis Zaica, Chief Trading Officer at FincoEnergies

Discover how energy price shocks, like the Iran–Israel conflict, ripple into biofuel and feedstock markets around the world.

Procurement in the sugar market: what makes it so different? – Insights from Head of Marketing & Global Supply Chain at Viterra

Martijn Noordhoek, Head of Marketing & Global Supply Chain at Viterra, shares key insights on how buyers can manage long-term sugar market risk.

Dairy procurement in 2025: Why it feels like hitting a moving target

Dairy procurement has never been straightforward, but 2025 presents a unique challenge: the market feels like a constantly moving target.

Is your oils & fats procurement strategy ready for the most interconnected market ever?

Oils & fats procurement has become incredibly complex with biofuel demand, EUDR compliance, and regional supply disruptions to navigate.

Sugar markets in turmoil: Why 2025 is the most challenging year for procurement teams

Learn how procurement teams are adapting their buying strategies to navigate EU production cuts, weather extremes, and ethanol competition.

Fonterra’s approach to commodity risk, index pricing and the future of dairy

Discover how Fonterra’s President of Global Ingredients, Richard Allen, deals with volatility in the global dairy market.

New Strong Source Podcast with Corinna Olearo, Head of Commodity Research & Price Risk Management at Nestlé on riding the commodity rollercoaster

Discover how Nestlé navigates commodity volatility. Corinna Olearo shares insights on cocoa, coffee, and data-driven procurement strategy.

Global dairy markets in flux: US tariffs, European FMD, and supply chain disruptions

Discover how new US tariffs, European FMD, and currency shifts are reshaping global dairy trade, from cheese exports to lactose market tightness.

Egg market dynamics: Understanding price volatility and regional supply challenges

Industry expert Anders Wurcel from Ovodan analyzes current egg market trends, regional price differences, and future outlook.

The impact of rising cocoa powder prices on the European bakery industry

European bakery manufacturers face major challenges as cocoa powder prices soar 40%, forcing changes to formulations, procurement, and pricing.

Strong Source episode 23: forecasting the future with Goldman Sachs' Daan Struyven

Explore expert insights from Goldman Sachs’ Daan Struyven on gold prices, oil demand, and AI’s growing impact on global commodity markets.

Dairy Café Recap: Key 2025 Dairy Market Insights and Trends

Discover key 2025 dairy market insights, including trends, FMD impacts, New Zealand production. Stay ahead with actionable updates.

2024 Cheese Market Resilience Amid Dairy Volatility: Trends, Challenges, and 2025 Outlook

Explore the 2024 cheese market's resilience amid dairy volatility, production growth, supply challenges, and the outlook for 2025.

2024 Chocolate Market Turmoil: Cocoa Prices Surge Amid Supply Shortages and Dairy Volatility

Explore the 2024 chocolate market’s challenges with soaring cocoa prices, volatile dairy costs, sugar relief, and what 2025 holds for manufacturers.

2024 Infant Nutrition Market: Rising Ingredient Costs, Dairy Protein Pressure, and Oil Volatility

Discover the 2024 infant nutrition market: rising ingredient costs, dairy protein pressures, oil volatility, and 2025 challenges ahead.

2024 Oils and Fats Market Volatility: Price Fluctuations, Sourcing Challenges, and Sustainability Trends

Explore the 2024 oils and fats market with price surges, sourcing challenges, and sustainability trends shaping the industry for 2025.

2024 Sugar & Sweeteners Market Trends: Price Declines, Production Shifts, and Evolving Consumer Preferences

Discover the 2024 sugar and sweeteners market trends, with price drops, shifting consumer preferences, and what’s shaping the market in 2025.

Navigating 2024 Confectionery Challenges: Cocoa Surge vs. Sugar Price Drop

Explore 2024 confectionery trends with rising cocoa costs for chocolate and falling sugar prices for sugar-based products.

Technical vs. Fundamental Analysis in Agri Commodities: How AI Can Improve Price Forecasting

Discover how AI-powered analysis combines technical and fundamental insights for more accurate price forecasting in agricultural commodities.

Weekly Weather and Crop Forecasting Analysis Available on Vesper Through New Partnership with EarthDaily Agro

Explore weekly weather and crop forecasts on Vesper with satellite data powered by our new partnership with EarthDaily Agro.

Announcing Our New Partnership with CRA: Bringing In-Depth Cocoa Weather Insights to Vesper

Vesper partners with CRA to provide Cocoa Weather Reports for optimising cocoa production and trading. Register now for a free trial!

Top 3 Most Used Datasets: How Vesper Supports Agricultural Procurement Managers in Strategic Buying

This article dives into the top 3 most used datasets that help procurement managers enhance their procurement strategies.

Vesper Partners with LeftField to Deepen Grain Market Insights

Benefit from comprehensive weekly insights on global crop markets, including spring wheat, durum, barley, corn, oats, and rye, directly on the Vesper platform.

New partnership announcement: OIL WORLD’s weekly market analysis now available on Vesper

Read more about the strategic partnership between Vesper and OIL WORLD, the global leader in market analyses since 1958.

Top 7 Insights into US Dairy Market Trends: Prices, Production, and Forecast for 2024

In the global agriculture market, the US dairy market stands out as a global powerhouse, both in terms of production and consumption.

El Niño unlikely to have a significant negative impact on the total global vegetable oil production

Explore the impact of El Niño and other weather patterns on soybean, palm oil, rapeseed, sunflower, and olive oil production.

5 Key Data Points Shaping Palm Oil Market in Indonesia and Malaysia

Discover 2024 predictions for the palm oil market in Indonesia and Malaysia, focusing on sustainability, production, and exports.

Exploring the impact of farming practices on the global dairy market - 10 questions with Philipp Goetz, Head of Sales and Business Development at IFCN

Dive into the impact of farming practices on the global dairy market in our in-depth interview with Philipp Goetz of IFCN.

Supply & Demand