Reader’s Digest: December 2022

In December 2022, we published the following articles:

• Ohio based researchers have shown favorable changes to gut microbiome in young pigs subject to two weeks of a diet heavy in tomatoes. The research team now plans to do similar studies in people.
• 25 years ago, 10 companies controlled 40% of the seed market, whereas now, only two companies dominate that same market. China is coming to the forefront, already owning Cofco and the majority of Syngenta.
• Prices of Canned Tomatoes, December 2022: Italy, Spain, USA, Greece, Portugal.
• From the 2022 Tomato News Conference: transcript of Filippo Roda's presentation on the impact of rising energy costs on agrifood commodities.
•  A recent survey carried out in the UK shows a list of 79 popular branded products with a price increase higher than the overall inflation rate, of minimum 22%. Heinz tomato ketchup is at the top of that list with a 53% increase since 2020.
• Like the European Union, California is considering a 30% organic farming policy. It could increase food prices further and significantly reduce farm profits.
• A report prepared by researchers from the School of Engineering and the Public Policy Institute of California, shows that this 3-year drought led to a dramatic shrinking of the farmland and had a huge economic impact.
• Harnesstom is proposing a free online training on "how to find my ideal tomato" on December 2022.
• Moroccan imports have seen a huge growth in the recent years, focused on tomato paste and sauces & ketchup. This increase benefits mainly Spanish and Egyptian operators.
• From the 2022 Tomato News Conference: transcript of the interview between Martin Stilwell and Mike Montna.
• After 9 years and 185.000 hours of product development, Heinz is rolling out its new and fully recyclable design of the ketchup bottle cap in the UK by the end of 2022.
• Global Imports of Tomato Products, updated 15 December 2022.
• Recent surveys in the UK show that demand for canned food is expected to continue rising, as a response to the cost-of-living crisis.
• The European Commission adopted a proposal for a first framework to reliably certify high-quality carbon removals. This proposal will ensure higher transparency and prevent green washing.
• Tomato Paste Prices, December 2022: USA, Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, Chile.
• After long discussions, the European Commission approved the Italian CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, with their two main requests: the coupled premium per hectare and the Eco-Scheme 4.
• Phenix en Provence, a French company, a joint-venture between CAPL and Inaturals, is using co-products from Le Panier Provencal factory to make organic cosmetic ingredients.
• From the 2022 Tomato News Conference: transcript of the presentation from Mark De La Mater on the 2022 processing season in California.
• In spite of multiple price increases this year, Campbell Soup Co raises its sales and profit forecasts, as consumers continue to favor at-home cooking.
• Farmers and Food & Beverages companies are expressing doubts on the EU regulatory framework and require clear social and environment safeguards to prevent the certification of carbon removals to become a green washing tool.

You can find the individual articles in the NEWS list and/or search by keyword, date etc.