News

China's ports reopen. The shipping backlog does not.

Typhoon Dolphin has passed, but the container backlog at Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shanghai lands on an already tight August for shippers.

EU sets an audit timeline for Brazil's poultry ban, opens a duck dispute with China

The EU has attached a firm audit calendar to Brazil's poultry suspension and opened a new anti-dumping case against Chinese duck imports.

Ivory Coast arrivals outpace last season, pressuring cocoa

Cocoa fell on supportive West African weather and a jump in Ivory Coast arrivals, with ICE EU down 6% to 2,940 GBP/t and ICE US down 6% to 3,831 USD/t.

European sugar: buyers and sellers dig in on new-crop prices

The 2026/27 European sugar market is a standoff: buyers hold around €530 depending on volume while sellers try to keep the line near €600 bulk ex works.

Whey protein pauses for breath, but the market stays tight

With Q3 purchasing largely wrapped up, the sharp rises across the whey protein concentrate complex are losing momentum, though the market stays tight.

Brazil's bumper crush and softer oil weigh on sugar prices

A strong Brazilian result and weaker oil have offset El Niño risk to keep sugar under pressure, with crude down about 4% and holding below $100 a barrel.

Ocean freight rates jump on early peak season while Hormuz stays shut for most

Container spot rates from Shanghai rose 11% to Northern Europe and 20% to the Mediterranean, as carriers pushed peak season surcharges ahead of the window.

Nordic Sugar to close Porkalla refinery, first EU standalone closure since end of quotas

Nordic Sugar will close its standalone refinery at Porkalla, Finland and move raw sugar refining to its beet factory, the first such EU closure since quotas.

Fuel surcharges climb and containers pile up as Strait of Hormuz disruption deepens

The Strait of Hormuz blockade is pressuring ocean and air freight, with emergency fuel surcharges rising and 200,000 containers trapped in the Persian Gulf.

Ivory Coast brings forward mid-crop season in bid to clear unsold cocoa stocks

Ivory Coast has reclassified March cocoa as mid-crop rather than main crop, sharply cutting farmgate prices in a bid to move unsold stocks into the market.

Shipping costs climb as pre-Chinese New Year demand hits Asia-Europe routes

Asia-Europe spot rates have climbed for a third consecutive week as the pre-Chinese New Year rush tightens capacity and carriers implement fresh surcharges.

Trump's tariff plans create tight timeline for US importers

Trump has announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada plus 10% on China from January 20th, leaving US importers a tight six-week window to prepare.

Tyson Foods closure of Nebraska plant reshapes beef packing capacity amid DOJ scrutiny

Tyson is closing its Lexington, Nebraska fed cattle plant and streamlining Amarillo, cutting over 4,900 jobs as the DOJ investigates the Big Four packers.

US broiler production growth accelerates to largest quarterly increase since early 2023

Ready-to-cook broiler production rose 2.7% year on year over the six weeks to November 15, the largest quarterly increase since Q1 2023, per USDA-AMS.

Vietnam cashew processors cut operations as raw material costs climb

Vietnamese cashew processors are limiting output or closing for the season as raw nut prices climb, tightening the market ahead of new crop arrivals.

EU proposes six-month grace period for cocoa deforestation law

The EU will propose six months of leeway on its deforestation law rather than the longer delay announced in September, with simpler smallholder requirements.

Chocolate demand proves more price-sensitive than expected as Mondelez reports consumer pushback

Mondelez puts European chocolate demand elasticity at 0.7-0.8, well above the 0.4-0.5 the industry expected, as cumulative 30% price rises test consumers.

Polish sugar beet growers earn €52.55 per tonne, highest in Europe with EU subsidy support

Polish sugar beet farmers receive €52.55 per tonne, the highest in Europe, while still drawing EU subsidies designed to support less competitive regions.

Trump tariffs begin in India, with rice, dairy, and tea amongst products impacted

US tariffs of 50% on most imports from India kick in today, affecting key commodities like basmati rice, spices, pulses, tea and dairy.

China UCO exports rise as US policy limits biodiesel feedstock imports

Chinese UCO exports jumped to 262,000 mt in June while US imports plummeted to 93,524 mt following new biofuel credit policies.

Trump’s tariff deadline has passed: How it’s affecting agricultural commodity trade, country by country

Trump’s August 1 tariff deadline has passed. Explore how agricultural exports are affected, with a country-by-country breakdown.

U.S.–Japan trade deal secures key win for dairy exporters amid global market pressure

Learn how this deal provides critical relief for U.S. cheese, whey, and lactose producers facing global competition in Japan.

What a 50% US tariff could mean for Brazilian orange juice, coffee, and beef trade

US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tax on all Brazilian exports could significantly affect global supply and pricing.

Oils sector calm for now: 3 key takeaways from Israel-Iran conflict so far

Oil prices climbed Wednesday after Trump announced China can continue buying Iranian oil. Analysis of Middle East tensions, vegetable oils volatility, biofuel m

Renewable diesel targets and regulatory nucertainty

Potential 4.65B gallon renewable diesel target falls below industry proposals, while EPA delays 2026 mandates and considers 161 small refinery exemptions.

Biodiesel markets react to Trump's tariff pause

Biodiesel markets rebound as Trump pauses tariffs for 90 days while escalating the China trade war to 125%, leaving traders to price fresh uncertainty.

Biodiesel markets shaken by Trump's new tariff policies

President Trump's economic emergency declaration introduces tariffs up to 54% on biodiesel imports, threatening Chinese UCO supply chains while creating opportu

Indonesian Bio Blenders Likely to Opt for Penalties Over Blending, RKS Assumes

Vesper's machine-learning model predicts a steady decline in the BMD benchmark through 2025, with the analytical team and market sentiment both in agreement.

More Attention to Sustainable Aviation Fuel as EU Excludes It from Antidumping Duties

Discover how the European Commission's latest anti-dumping measures impact biodiesel markets and why SAF is gaining strategic importance.

Palm Oil Update: Higher Freight Rates and Improved Production

Stay informed with the latest in the palm oil market. Explore the impact of increased freight rates and enhanced production on the industry.

Germany allows HVO100 and B10 sales at gas stations, driving ARA biodiesels up

RME, UCOME, FAME 0, and HVO (UCO) prices have all soared in West-EU markets in response to Germany's B10 and HVO100 pump sales policy change.

Biodiesel market update: Growing interest to buy, yet making consensus on pricing remains a challenge

The European biodiesel complex has strengthened again on higher LSGO prices and steady buying interest, but buyers and sellers still cannot agree on price.

Understand future Brazilian sugar production levels with Vesper’s new Sugar/Ethanol parity widget

Get ahead with Vesper's new Sugar/Ethanol parity widget. Forecast future Brazilian sugar production levels for smarter trading.

Highlights on the Oils & Fats market: Uncertainty reigns in global markets

Will there be another global financial crisis? The question hanging over markets since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and what it means for oils.

Highlights on the Oils & Fats market: Stability after a year of war?

With the war in Ukraine past a year, US officials say China is contemplating sending weapons to Russia. What a new player would mean for oils and fats.

Highlights on the Oils & Fats market: Stability for now, bears on the horizon

A week on from the Turkey and Syria earthquakes the toll has reached 36,000, the deadliest in modern Turkish history. Oils and fats hold stable for now.

Farm-gate milk prices follow the commodity prices on their way down from record levels

Milk production ran at a deficit in early 2022 on poor weather and high feed, energy and fuel costs. How farm-gate prices followed commodities back down.

Highlights on the butter and whey market: prices are falling, but where to?

The bearish tone across butter, SMP, WMP and whey powders is partly lower consumption. Buyers are still there, but sellers have to work harder to find them.

World's leaders convene in Bali; talks to preserve rainforest

The G20 summit opens in Bali this week while COP27 continues in Sharm El Sheikh, and both could shape the course of commodity markets from here.

Indonesia plans to extend palm oil export tax waiver to end of year

Indonesia plans to extend its palm oil export tax waiver to the end of the year, Reuters reports, after removing the levies from mid-July to cut excess stocks.

Italy: Latte Trento give up fresh milk production

Latte Trento says it no longer has enough raw milk to produce fresh drinking milk or Trentingrana, after warning about energy costs and shortages since January.

Petrobras reduces prices more frequently than increases, survey shows

Petrobras took longer to raise refinery prices when foreign values rose than to cut them when fuel retreated, according to a Reuters survey of company data.

India: Industry up in arms at new tax burden

Indian dairy processors, co-ops and farmer groups are protesting proposals to raise GST on dairy equipment and materials from 12% to 18%.

Vegetable Oil Highlights

Price support in global vegetable oil markets was swept away again as Indonesia permitted additional exports, on top of peak Southeast Asian production.

Bayer wins fourth Roundup weedkiller case in USA

Bayer won a fourth Roundup verdict in the US, calling the Jackson County, Oregon decision consistent with four decades of regulatory and scientific review.

Ireland: Belview Dairy Plant finally breaks ground

After two years of planning appeals and judicial reviews, the Glanbia and Royal A-Ware cheese plant at Belview, Co Kilkenny has finally broken ground.

NZ: Fonterra payout forecast increased again

Catch up on Fonterra's latest payout forecast increase in NZ with Vesper. Understand its market implications for smarter dairy investments.

Technology: The power of a ten-second milk scan

MIT spin-out Labby has launched Milkey, an optical scanner and analytics platform that reads cow health and herd performance from fresh milk in ten seconds.

Vegetable Oil Highlights

Uncertainty keeps growing in vegetable oils and the market is largely guessing at what comes next, with the conflict in Ukraine still a dominant influence.

BASF launches bio-based surfactant made from soya protein

BASF has launched Plantapon Soy, a bio-based surfactant made from non-GMO soya protein and coconut oil for mild skin and hair cleansing products.

Ukraine exports over half a million tonnes of vegetable oils in April

Ukraine exported 61,007 tonnes of vegetable oils by rail last month, AgriCensus reports, as the blockade of deep-sea ports forces crops onto the railways.

Vegetable Oils Highlights

Global vegetable oil markets keep throwing curveballs, with government responses to a worldwide shortage of oils pushing prices even higher than expected.

Vegetable Oils Highlights

After weeks of rapid price movement the biggest jumps look to be behind us, though the short-term direction of vegetable oil markets remains uncertain.

Netherlands: FRIESLANDCAMPINA ANNOUNCE JOB LOSSES, SITE CLOSURE & REDUCED ACTIVITY

FrieslandCampina will close its Rotterdam liquid milk facility and merge it into Maasdam, citing cost efficiency, carbon targets and added-value products.

Vegetable Oil Highlights

The invasion of Ukraine has tightened vegetable oil markets already short on production, and security of supply has become the issue for anyone needing product.

China's ports reopen. The shipping backlog does not.

EU sets an audit timeline for Brazil's poultry ban, opens a duck dispute with China

Ivory Coast arrivals outpace last season, pressuring cocoa

European sugar: buyers and sellers dig in on new-crop prices

Whey protein pauses for breath, but the market stays tight

Brazil's bumper crush and softer oil weigh on sugar prices

Ocean freight rates jump on early peak season while Hormuz stays shut for most

Nordic Sugar to close Porkalla refinery, first EU standalone closure since end of quotas

Fuel surcharges climb and containers pile up as Strait of Hormuz disruption deepens

Ivory Coast brings forward mid-crop season in bid to clear unsold cocoa stocks

Shipping costs climb as pre-Chinese New Year demand hits Asia-Europe routes

Trump's tariff plans create tight timeline for US importers

Tyson Foods closure of Nebraska plant reshapes beef packing capacity amid DOJ scrutiny

US broiler production growth accelerates to largest quarterly increase since early 2023

Vietnam cashew processors cut operations as raw material costs climb

EU proposes six-month grace period for cocoa deforestation law

Chocolate demand proves more price-sensitive than expected as Mondelez reports consumer pushback

Polish sugar beet growers earn €52.55 per tonne, highest in Europe with EU subsidy support

Trump tariffs begin in India, with rice, dairy, and tea amongst products impacted

China UCO exports rise as US policy limits biodiesel feedstock imports

Trump’s tariff deadline has passed: How it’s affecting agricultural commodity trade, country by country

U.S.–Japan trade deal secures key win for dairy exporters amid global market pressure

What a 50% US tariff could mean for Brazilian orange juice, coffee, and beef trade

Oils sector calm for now: 3 key takeaways from Israel-Iran conflict so far

Renewable diesel targets and regulatory nucertainty

Biodiesel markets react to Trump's tariff pause

Biodiesel markets shaken by Trump's new tariff policies

Indonesian Bio Blenders Likely to Opt for Penalties Over Blending, RKS Assumes

More Attention to Sustainable Aviation Fuel as EU Excludes It from Antidumping Duties

Palm Oil Update: Higher Freight Rates and Improved Production

Germany allows HVO100 and B10 sales at gas stations, driving ARA biodiesels up

Biodiesel market update: Growing interest to buy, yet making consensus on pricing remains a challenge

Understand future Brazilian sugar production levels with Vesper’s new Sugar/Ethanol parity widget

Highlights on the Oils & Fats market: Uncertainty reigns in global markets

Highlights on the Oils & Fats market: Stability after a year of war?

Highlights on the Oils & Fats market: Stability for now, bears on the horizon

Farm-gate milk prices follow the commodity prices on their way down from record levels

Highlights on the butter and whey market: prices are falling, but where to?

World's leaders convene in Bali; talks to preserve rainforest

Indonesia plans to extend palm oil export tax waiver to end of year

Italy: Latte Trento give up fresh milk production

Petrobras reduces prices more frequently than increases, survey shows

India: Industry up in arms at new tax burden

Vegetable Oil Highlights

Bayer wins fourth Roundup weedkiller case in USA

Ireland: Belview Dairy Plant finally breaks ground

NZ: Fonterra payout forecast increased again

Technology: The power of a ten-second milk scan

Vegetable Oil Highlights

BASF launches bio-based surfactant made from soya protein

Ukraine exports over half a million tonnes of vegetable oils in April

Vegetable Oils Highlights

Vegetable Oils Highlights

Netherlands: FRIESLANDCAMPINA ANNOUNCE JOB LOSSES, SITE CLOSURE & REDUCED ACTIVITY

Vegetable Oil Highlights

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