Container shortages, capacity constraints, higher shipping costs, and ongoing impacts of the global pandemic all placed new challenges in front of ocean shippers last year.

Those roadblocks have yet to be removed in 2021, although some early signs of relief are beginning to surface. The problem is that the shortage—among other forces—is driving shipping rates up across many routes at a time when global organizations are trying to realign their supply chains after a difficult year in 2020.

A recent study found that 88.2 percent of shippers either had or were planning to diversify suppliers, and 89.8 percent of respondents already were, or were likely to increase their collaboration with other supply chain stakeholders. The report finds firms moving towards both vertical and horizontal across the supply chain, forming interconnected networks of logistics partners – including cargo owners, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, ports and terminals, customs authorities, amongst others.

Below we’ve outlined the four biggest challenges you might face this year and some expert advice on how to overcome them.

  1. High Demand Means Less Space

Ocean freight services declined during the first quarter of 2020, but since then until now, demand has increased steadily.

In a complete U-turn from what experts expected, ocean carriers are maxing their capacity ceiling on many trade lanes. This means higher spot rates.

The FBX Global Container Index had a weekly price of $1,461 on January 3rd, 2020. By January 29th, 2021, this price was $4,087, or an increase of 279% from the previous year.

It is predicted this trend will continue, and even when the COVID-19 pandemic withdraws, the demand for freight will potentially boom.

     2. Altering customer expectations

Client expectations are now changing as they become information-enabled and have expectations that their transport services to keep them fully informed throughout the entire process.

Similarly, because of the ballooning amount of accessible data, clients want to discover a business that operates with their precise expectations. This implies that the age of catch-all solutions is fast shrinking. It is being replaced with a more prominent, innovation–powered supply chain.

 3. Freight Forwarder Freight Tech and Digital Transformation in 2021

Ocean carriers are implementing technology to digitally convert their operations to restructure freight procurement to create steady revenue channels. 

Freight forwarders must also digitally transform their services to align with ocean carrier FreighTech. Forwarders with instant access to ocean carrier information can offer the following data directly to customers in real-time:

Spot rate data

Space data

Schedule data

Tracking data

With the risk of commoditization waning margins for so many freight forwarders, digital transformation could be a competitive advantage for business needs in 2021.

 4. Increased Cybersecurity for Freight Forwarders

Ocean shipping hasn’t been immune from cyberattacks in 2020. Four of the world’s largest shipping companies underwent cyberattacks. Trucking and logistics companies were targeted too.

Freight forwarders need to set up their systems to minimize the effects of cyberattacks. For example, failing to centralize cybersecurity strategies, using outdated antivirus tools, systems, drivers, and tools, and employees accidentally releasing sensitive information can result in devastating cyberattacks.

  5. Post-COVID 19 Boom and Securing Freight in 2021

It is predicted that post-COVID 19, we will see a huge rise in demand for everything. Revenge travel is already a trending term in 2021, suggesting that tourism is likely to boom as hundreds of millions of people will travel more when borders reopen.

Logistics already underwent a boom during COVID-19. Likewise, e-commerce sales grew by a whopping 27.6% in 2020, and the revenge travel trend will likely emerge in ocean shipping as consumer demand explodes after over a year of lockdowns.

   6. Core systems transformation

Transport firms need to know what their core systems are. They need to be aware of this before going ahead to attempt to disrupt their businesses. If they know, it’s wise they check again because companies develop unique architectures more often. Businesses growing disparately make it challenging for the stakeholders to comprehend the business.

However, with the latest technologies emerging in the transportation industry, companies have a chance to rejuvenate their business. They will also be able to modernize their supply chain administration.

  1. Transport automation and the Internet of Things partnered robots.

Order fulfilment and automating warehouses with robots have been challenging for the industry. However, with the pushing demand, various transport organizations are looking forward to utilizing them. They will assist in simplifying the processes. Clients are pushing for more modern transport techniques.

With the emergence of e-commerce, transportation providers are required to operate efficiently and faster. They need to process an individual’s orders quickly. This is a sector that has surprised the industry. Many transportation companies are still struggling to adjust. Either way, they have no choice.

Labour shortages have handed robotics the platform to reshape the transportation landscape. Companies used to have 80% of the warehouse’s operation conducted manually. With the rising demand, they have to deploy robots to make things more accurate, flexible, and affordable. This is a puzzle that most transport companies will cross the year with attempting to solve.

Our Logistics team have systems in place efficiently handle any problems that may come up in the shipping line. We are committed to surpassing our clients expectations in every way possible.

We look forward to hearing from you at sales@tradelinksa.com here…

 

KNOWING YOUR FlOURS

Most flours are alike in texture at first glance, especially when they are arranged beside each other on the supermarket shelves. But these ingredients for cooking and baking are much more different than it seems. Knowing the varieties and to which these types are used will help you kick up that unique recipe.

Rice Flour

Rice Flour comes from finely milled long or medium-grains and is gluten-free. Rice flour is usually the type of rice people typically eat at home or in restaurants. There are three different types of rice flour, namely: white rice flour, brown rice flour, and sweet rice flour or glutinous rice flour.

It can be used in several culinary ingredients like pastries, cakes and is a staple ingredient for Asian cuisines for their noodles. It is also widely used for any gluten-free diet and is the best substitute for wheat flour in cake and bread recipes. Rice flour is not only used in culinary ingredients but also in cosmetics and as a substrate for mushroom cultivation.

Cassava Flour

The cassava is a staple food in most areas of South America, Asia, and Africa. The plant is a root crop which is also known as manioc or yuca. It is a gluten, grain, and nut-free tuberous root vegetable. The cassava flour is extracted from the whole root of the cassava plant.

Cassava flour is an excellent thickener to any recipe. It is also great for making flatbreads, cookies, brownies, pizza crusts, and tortillas. It can even benefit people who are reducing in grains or those who have poor digestions or autoimmune diseases. Cassava flour can be a substitute for wheat flour in a 1:1 ratio, but you can play a bit with your recipes.

Sweet Potato Flour

Sweet potato flour is made from dried and finely ground sweet potato crops. It is a rich source of carbohydrates, vitamins A and C. While East Asia is the top producer and consumer of sweet potato, South Asia and Europe are also in the primary line of consumers.

It is used as an essential thickener for gravies, soups, and dressings, apart from being used to baking bread, muffins, cakes, pasta, protein shakes, energy drinks, and cookies. Sweet potato flour is also gluten-free; hence, it can be a good substitute for wheat flour or can be mixed with any other type of flour to improve the texture and taste of the final products.

Quinoa Flour

Quinoa flour is finely grounded from quinoa seeds, usually nutty and relatively sweet flavor. It has the same texture and feels like that of all-purpose wheat flour and is also gluten-free. It is tagged as one of the superfoods that are full of fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins.

Quinoa flour can be used for several desserts, pizza base, pie crusts, pancakes, muffins, or bread. It can also be a thickening ingredient for soups or stews; and can even be used as a protein powder in shakes and smoothies. Quinoa has a low glycemic index of 53, which is the best ingredient for any diabetic meal plan.

Sorghum Flour

Sorghum grains are recommended for those who have celiac disease or those who have a gluten intolerance. While it originates in Africa, the flour spreads its popularity through the Middle East, Asia, and even in America.

Sorghum flour is gluten-free, high in fiber, rich in antioxidants, and is a popular main ingredient in India to make jowar roti or flatbread. In Korea, it is used to make cakes like susu bukkumi. While in Central America, sorghum flour is used to make tortillas or a wheat flour substitute for any gluten-free recipes.

Corn Flour

Corn flour is milled from dried whole corn kernels. It has a smooth and fine texture and can be yellow, white, or blue, depending on the corn variety. Corn flour is a good source of fiber and protein, too, with each giving approximately 1 gram per 1 tablespoon.

Corn flour is the most versatile flour among the types of flour as it can be used in baking, frying, or grilling. It can also be combined with baked recipes like muffins, bread, waffles, pancakes. It can also be used as a breading for fish or chicken. Additionally, it can be combined with other types of flour like all-purpose flour, cornmeal, or whole wheat flour.

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We have great supply with finest quality which we have controlled from the fields up until shipping. We can also offer stock with immediate delivery in the USA, with no importation hassles.

  • Organic Rice
  • White or Brown
  • Long Grain
  • Rice Flour

The rice season in Argentina is starting now and hopes of increasing production this year are high. Environmental conditions have been favourable, due to adequate solar radiation and fair weather.  Although successive fuel increases resulted in an increase last year in the cost of production, the price of rice remains stable and competitive.

The estimate for world rice production has also been raised slightly, and the global rice utilization in 2020/21 is seen to reach an all-time high of 514 million tonnes. As a result, world rice stocks at the close of 2020/21 are pegged at 183 million tonnes, marginally changed from the previous month’s forecast and their opening levels. It is estimated that the world trade in rice in 2021 (January-December) will be close to 48 million tonnes. This level would imply a 6.0 percent annual trade expansion.

Click here to visit our website, or email us at sales@tradelinksa.com for more information!

Chia Seed Production

The production of chia seed only develops in certain areas of the globe due to consumers’ lack of knowledge on its health benefits and the climate it grows on. North America tops the largest share of the chia seeds market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific markets.

The Covid-19 pandemic remarkably affects the export volume of the products, which led to a global market drop during the first half of the year. Although there is a significant market decline, the pandemic gives light to chia seed producers to double their forecast production. The demand for healthier foods increases, along with the awareness of its benefits spread worldwide aids in the growth of chia seeds in the market.

In North America, though, Mexico is the top producer of chia seeds in the region. In 2018 alone, Mexico produced 2,893.4 metric tons of chia seeds. The United States and Canada are also increasing their demands and opportunities to get market players in the chia seeds market worldwide. South America is also one of the major regions with a high volume of supplies, especially from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru.

Even though Europe does not produce chia seeds, the demand for the commodity is high in the region for its various applications. The highest imports of chia seeds in Europe are mainly from Australia and Latin America, with few imports from African countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Upon the introduction of chia seeds in Europe in 2009, the imports have increased from 3.4 thousand tons to 19.2 thousand tons in 2013 through 2017, respectively.

A drop of 17.4 thousand tons in 2019 was due to the build-up stocks in the previous years, along with the strains of outsourcing chia seeds due to the agricultural condition in South America. Regardless of the decrease in import volume, Europe has always had an exceptional food innovation. Hence, the chia seeds market can still be seen in various food and drink applications.

Chia Seed Consumption

Chia seeds are moderately high in magnesium, calcium, and potassium, that aids in the digestion process, energy boosters, and blood sugar stabilizer. It is practically used in bakery products, peanut butter, cereals, muesli bars, and energy drinks. Chia seeds are not only segmented as food products but can also be categorized as oil products, ground chia, whole chia seeds, and chia bran.

Health-conscious consumers are slowly familiarizing the health benefits of chia seeds, and this leads to higher market growth in the next five years worldwide. Currently, the countries with the highest requirement of chia seeds are Australia and the United States. In recent years though, Brazil, Chile, United Kingdom, and Spain’s demands for chia seeds and chia-based products are gradually increasing due to their gluten-free properties, high protein content, iron, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acid.

Chia Seeds Projections and Trade Analysis

Regardless of the effects of the pandemic globally, chia seeds have been estimated to reach USD 739.1M last year. It is further forecasted to reach 34.4% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) for 2021 – 2027 with a market value of USD 9.3 BN towards the end of 2027. The demands from nutraceutical industries and consumers’ diverse applications help the growth of the chia seeds market globally.

Americas

The Americas tops the chia seeds market with 78% of production globally. The demands of chia seeds in the American market are brought by the vegan food requirements, community lifestyle, health awareness, and shifting of junk foods to healthy snacks.

Reports show that the Americas are exporting chia seeds at a value of USD 50 billion a year, a figure which is increasing year after year. America’s main producers of chia seeds are Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Paraguay. The export market of chia seeds is now increasing worldwide, which includes Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, and the Philippines.

North America has the highest volume of market sales in chia seeds and is projected to reach around 50,000 MT by the end of 2027. The projection is based on the demand for organic food with high nutrient values during the past few years. However, some restrictions are curbing the rise of demands for chia seeds in North America, thereby pushing consumers to prefer substitutes like pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds.

During the past year, the United States exported a value of over USD 14M to only three of its top export destinations. It exported USD 12.75M to Canada, USD 1.11M to Australia, and USD 325.38 thousand in China, followed by Taiwan, Germany, South Korea, and Israel.

Europe

The market leader is followed by Europe, being the key importer of the commodity with the highest volume of 16,182 tons at a valued rate of USD 31M in 2016. The major importers of chia seeds in the region are Germany, Netherlands, and Spain. The import volume is also now increasing in the United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Poland, and France. Whereas the key suppliers are Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru. Paraguay is leading as the direct supplier of Germany with a market share of 35%, while Bolivia, Mexico, and Uganda regularly supply between 1.1 to 1.2 thousand tons of chia seeds to the region. Although the restricted use of chia seeds in industrial applications is slowing the growth of chia seeds in the market, the demand for protein alternatives for healthy lifestyles aids in the progressive growth of the commodity in the market.

If Germany is the main consumption market, Netherlands, on the other hand, is the trade hub of the European region. It is the best place to establish a distribution port or warehouse. Next to Germany, the Netherlands is the region’s second-largest importer of chia seeds. The import volume in 2019 alone reached 4.3 thousand tons, with over a thousand tons from Chile and Bolivia. Whereas, Paraguay imported around 1.7 thousand tons and 1.2 thousand tons from Mexico.

 

New Zealand

fried

Investigation finds Dutch company dumping frozen fries in NZ

Foreign fries are being dumped in New Zealand but the Government says current volumes aren’t a threat to the local potato industry.

Last year, Potatoes New Zealand warned of a “tsunami” of cheap frozen potato products as Covid-19 lockdowns left European growers with a 2.6 million tonne surplus.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) launched an investigation after Potatoes NZ filed a complaint of “dumping” and applied for tariffs to be imposed on imports of the products.

Dumping occurs when imported goods are sold at a price that is below their normal value in the country of export.

Read More here…

food

The ‘true cost’ of food isn’t reflected in its price, expert says

The cost of the weekly food shop does not reflect the true cost of food production for people and the environment, says one expert.

By measuring and reporting the impact of things like synthetic fertilisers and antibiotics in food production, more action could be taken to improve farming methods, senior lecturer at the University of South Australia, Harpinder Sandhu said.

Sandhu, who did his doctorate at Lincoln University in agroecology, developed a way of accounting for the environmental and social costs and benefits of different farming systems.

The framework was created in collaboration with 150 scientists, economists, farmers and policymakers from 30 countries through the United Nations Environment Program, supported by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food.

Read More here…

Cheap fruit and vegetables come at a cost for produce industry

While Kiwis have been treated to some dirt-cheap fruit and vegetables over the past few months, those bargains have come at a cost to the produce industry.

Jerry Prendergast, president of United Fresh, the pan-produce organisation representing growers, exporters and retailers, says returns for locally grown fruit and vegetables have been notably lower than normal due to COVID-19-related challenges.

Reduced flights and high freight costs has meant many producers that usually export a large portion of their crop have been forced to sell it on the domestic market this year. That has led to a glut of some fruit and vegetables, with prices in some cases dropping to historic lows.

Read more here

wine-vineyard

Smaller grape harvest and rising costs to drive up prices of premium wines

Winegrowers say a superb summer throughout much of the country means an excellent quality vintage, although the overall crop size is below average given the cooler spring and late frosts.

Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said reports indicated the quality of the harvest so far was exceptional.

“There will be some variability across different parts of the country, but the industry is anticipating a significantly smaller vintage across several New Zealand wine regions this year.”

Read more here…

milk2

Strong commodity prices rubbing off on rural property market

Strong prices for agricultural commodities over recent months – particularly for whole milk powder – is being reflected in good results for the rural property market, says Conrad Wilkshire of Property Brokers.

Wilkshire spoke to Rural Today to give an update on the rural property market.

Although the primary industries continue to face issues relating to the weather and environmental regulations, in general the sector is going strong, which has led to an increase in rural property sales.

“Confidence is returning and it’s translating into some very big numbers in March.”

Read More here…

Australia

barely

Gypsum boosts barley on saline soils

THE application of incredibly low rates of gypsum on soils affected by transient salinity could increase barley yields by up to 28 per cent, according to data from a trial being run by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) at the Merredin Research Station.

There are two main causes of salinity in WA – dryland salinity, which is the result of the shallow watertable caused by the clearing of native vegetation and affects maybe 10pc of farms, and transient salinity, which comes from a range of sources, including rain and dust, and builds up over time in dispersive soils.

Transient salinity was discovered at the Merredin Research Station by accident in 2010, where the soils are mostly heavy red, with alkaline at depth, and have a very low rate of water infiltration.

Read more here

crop

New tank mix partner a priority for weeds

Grain growers will have the option to strengthen and broaden their control of broadleaf weeds and volunteer pulses and canola in cereal crops in the coming season after the arrival of a new, more flexible and cost-effective herbicide tank mix partner.

Priority, a Group B post-emergent herbicide launched by ADAMA Australia, importantly offers excellent crop safety and allays residue concerns in oaten hay and following crops and pastures.

ADAMA Australia portfolio manager – herbicides, Rob Walker, said Priority was an ideal first choice for tank mixtures to improve the weed spectrum.

Read more here

CORN

Bicolour sweet corn trials delivering tasty results

Sweet corn varieties being trialled in Queensland could be set to inject some colour into the market.

Syngenta Seeds is behind trials of the Cabo and Sovereign varieties, both of which are bicolour and new to Australia.

Product development specialist for large seeded vegetables and cucurbits Leith Plevey said the Australian sweet corn market is dominated by yellow varieties.

“It’s not just appealing for its appearance but there’s also a real sweetness and the tenderness of the kernels.

“The market in Australia would be at least 95 per cent yellow and in terms of fresh product you can find at the shops, it’s almost exclusively yellow.

Read more here

HORTI.

Putting a price on Queensland horticulture

We’ve heard Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack state repeatedly that nationwide economic interventions like JobKeeper were only ever meant to be temporary.

With the national unemployment figure continuing to come down, and now below 6 per cent, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

However, these nationwide interventions are being replaced by sector specific measures, targeted at those parts of the economy hardest hit by COVID-19 and continuing to feel its impact.

The travel and tourism industries have attracted support from both state and federal governments.

Read more here

SORGHUM

Scientists hunt for genetic solution to sorghum lodging

A large scale study by University of Queensland researchers has opened the door for targeted breeding programs that could help find a genetic solution to the problem of drought-induced sorghum lodging.

Their findings are the culmination of decades of study, with the focus now set to turn to breeding sorghum with greater resistance to lodging.

Professor David Jordan from UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation said lodging occurs when a crop with high yield potential is subjected to water stress when it is producing grain.

“Losing a bumper grain crop just before harvest because plants fall over is heartbreaking for growers and undermines profitability and global efforts to improve food security,” Prof Jordan said.

Read more here…

South America

Argentine officials rule out banning beef exports or setting quotas

Argentine beef industry sources quoted by local media Sunday announced the administration of President Alberto Fernández was not planning to ban beef exports or set up quotas, after announcing last week a series of measures to detect under-invoicing.

“There will be no restrictions or quotas, but registries of exporters and the measures are not as restrictive as originally thought,” acknowledged a source who closely follows the negotiations. The Casa Rosada seeks to control the price of food and in recent days presented a package of measures that also includes poultry production, through the purchase of corn with coverage, to sustain the price of chicken at current values.

Read More here

grains

ARGENTINA MULLING GRAINS EXPORT TAX HIKE – GOV’T OFFICIAL

BUENOS AIRES, April 23 (Reuters) – Argentina is considering an increase in grains export taxes, an official told local radio on Friday, sparking concern among farm leaders who have long worried that the Peronist government might further intervene in the markets in a bid to control inflation.

The South American grains powerhouse is the world’s No. 3 corn supplier and top exporter of soymeal livestock feed. It already slaps a 33% tax on international soybean exports; 31% on soymeal and soyoil; and 12% on corn and wheat.

“An increase in export taxes is being analyzed,” Domestic Commerce Secretary Paula Espanol said in a radio interview.

Read More here

soybean, wheat and corn seeds in Brazil

Brazil Suspends Soy, Corn Import Duties Until Year-End

Sao Paulo – Brazil has suspended import duties on soy, corn, soybean meal and soybean oil until the end of the year, the Agriculture Ministry said on Monday (April 19), as the country seeks to slow inflation fanned by rising global commodities prices.

The Chamber of Foreign Commerce (Camex) had already authorized the suspension of the import tax on corn until March 31 of this year and soybean until January 15.

The latest measure, as reported by Reuters, is likely to benefit U.S. grains producers, experts say, as Brazilian buyers had earlier focused on Mercosur producers who are already exempt from tariffs.

Read More here

Bolivia bans beef exports to guarantee domestic supply

The Government of Bolivia Thursday decided to halt all beef exports to prevent international demand from leading to an increase in price domestic consumers could not afford, Minister of Rural Development and Lands, Remmy Gonzales announced. “We have already talked with the sectors and we have already taken the measures to suspend exports while the domestic market is not supplied,” he told the media.

Gonzales explained that a joint resolution was issued between the Ministries of Rural Development and Lands and Productive Development and Plural Economy to guarantee supply domestically before any surplus can be sold abroad.

Read More here…

Food Updates

vegan food

70 vegan trademarks registered in 2020 as sector growth continues

The growing popularity of vegan food shows no sign of slowing down, with financial firms predicting large growth ahead for the sector.

Another 70 vegan trademarks were filed in 2020, suggesting that the vegan trend shows no sign of slowing down, with 265 vegan trademarks now registered in the food and drink sector in the last five years, claims EMW, the corporate commercial law firm.

The number of vegan trademarks applications in 2020 is the second-highest on record behind the all-time high of 92 in 2019 (according to the Intellectual Property Office) as the popularity of vegan diets continues to increase.

Read more here

food and beverage

Five predictions driving transformation in the food and beverage industry

Marcel Koks offers his forecast into the future of food and drink and how technology, such as data driven decisions, will influence the sector in the coming years. The unforeseen disruption experienced in 2020 has prompted food and beverage producers to future proof their businesses as far as is possible. While uncertainty seems set to continue for some time, by focusing on expediting time to market, food quality and safety, supply chain resilience, and the creation of omni-channel models, companies are putting themselves in the strongest position they can to embrace and capitalise on future opportunities.

Read more here

Sugar reduction is key for a healthy future

Today’s consumers want a life that is healthier for themselves and the environment, and this journey often starts with food and beverages.

They are increasingly seeking products with reduced sugar and healthier credentials, challenging manufacturers to respond to these demands without sacrificing the tastes consumers have come to love. The pandemic has accelerated this shift in consumer behaviour, with evidence that co-morbidities such as obesity and diabetes can lead to more severe COVID-19 outcomes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend that for the prevention of obesity and tooth decay, adults and children alike must keep their consumption of free sugars to less than 10 percent of their daily energy intake (equivalent to about a dozen teaspoons of table sugar for adults).

Read more here

seafood

The Power of Seafood charts category’s biggest gains

KANSAS CITY – With restaurants and other foodservice channels either closed or severely curtailed during COVID, many foods in the grocery fresh perimeter have seen their sales surge.

One of the categories with the biggest upswing has been seafood. For many consumers pre-pandemic, fresh seafood was something you ordered when you went out to eat — not what you cooked at home. Cooking seafood themselves was seen by a lot of consumers as an educational hurdle they were unwilling to jump.

Read more here

salicornia-field-FI

Green Salt – a healthy salt alternative?
Chris Lin, co-founder of Green Salt LLC, explains why their eponymous product could prove to be an essential seasoning of the future – for both our taste buds and health.

Two hours south of San Diego, next to the foothills of Ensenada, Baja California, lies a neatly manicured green field. From a distance it looks like grass or maybe onion shoots, but as you get closer, you see that it’s something very different. It appears to be small sprouts of asparagus that have been painted bright green. This is salicornia – also known as sea asparagus or samphire – and the ingredient for Green Salt.

Salicornia has been harvested for millennia and used in a variety of cultures – eaten steamed and cooked in Europe and dried for folk medicine in Korea.

Read more here

 

 

 

 

 

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The use of cassava flour in traditional recipes has been introduced for centuries by Native Americans, as well as in Latin American cultures. In tropical regions, cassava is the third-largest source of carbohydrates, after rice and maize; and is considered as one of the staple foods for many regions.

Consumption and Production

Countries like China, Vietnam, and Thailand are the top exporters and consumers of cassava flour, dominating the Asia Pacific region as the largest market share and consumers of cassava flour globally. The world’s top producer of cassava enlists Nigeria, while Thailand is the largest exporter of one of its by-end products, cassava starch.

The United States and some European regions primarily export the products in Vietnam and Thailand for commercial uses. It is expected that Latin America and North America will have significant market growth in the following years’ forecast. Europe’s cassava market just as well is forecasted to rise following the high consumption of baked products and snacks like chips, tapioca, starch, cassava meal, and fresh cassava. The European cassava market is not only expected to increase but also anticipated to record the highest CAGR in the forecast period of 2020-2024.

Additionally, the provision for cassava flour will considerably increase since emerging countries like China and India are expanding their ready-to-eat food products, in which the cassava flour industry is one of the top demands. The usage of cassava flour is not only restricted to food applications but also non-food utilizations like papers, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, and more.

Cassava flour and starch are also used in the textile industry because of their easy availability, resistance to abrasion, flexibility, and ability to seal with fibers. The industry uses it for sizing, printing, and finishing textile end products. Moreover, cassava flour applications can also be observed in biofuel, fermentation of ethyl alcohol, animal feed, and the laundry industry.

Africa, on the other hand, has seen an increase in market share during the last few years and is expected to grow more in the coming years. Countries like Mozambique, Ghana, and Nigeria are the top regions in Africa that produce cassava flours.

Exports

14 d

In 2020, the cassava flour market has reached a production volume of 8.8 Million tons globally. Out of these tons, China bags the top exporter of cassava flour with an export value of USD 39.13 million and 39.8% market share. Whereas the top importer of cassava flour for the same year goes to the United States with an import value of USD 70.83 million, followed by Canada with USD 8.89 M, and Ireland with a value of USD 6.93M.

Following China is Brazil, with an export value of USD 18.33M and an 18.64% market share. The export lists continues below:

  • United States USD 9.91M
  • Peru USD 5.88M
  • Spain 4.86M
  • Thailand USD 4.28M
  • Ghana USD 1.94M
  • Taiwan USD 1.77M

Projections

In early 2020, the global economy experienced a crisis due to the epidemic Covid-19. As such, to help stop the spread of the virus, most countries practiced quarantine protocols and measures, which blocked the production of crops, as well as transport movements. The two elements paralyzed the global economic growth and halted the international supply chains. As a result, a big drop in GDP has been seen compared to the previous years.

However, as cassava is one of the staple food products in most regions globally, the production and consumption of the products have not largely dropped. The consumption is even expected to rise over the next decade.  Reviews anticipated an increase of +0.8% CAGR from 2019 to 2030 with a market volume of 326M tons by the end of 2030.

With the increasing global demands and different applications, the cassava flour market is expected to have a CAGR growth rate of 3.2% from 2020 to 2024. By the end of 2019, the global cassava market was at a value of USD 3407.4M, which is now forecasted to rise to USD 3870M by the end of 2026.

You can read more on our Cassava here,  or email sales@tradelinksa.com for more information.

New Zealand

Port tarakani

Live animal exports to continue at Port Taranaki until 2023

Port Taranaki says it will continue to provide facilities and services for live cattle exports until the Government’s two-year phase out period ends.

The Government announced on Wednesday that the $250 million live animal export trade will be banned from 2023.

Although the live export trade began in 2015, livestock carriers only started using the Taranaki Regional Council-owned port company’s facilities in early 2020.

About 113,000 Friesian breeding cows were exported to China from New Zealand ports last year.

Read More here…

milk

Sheep’s milk blazing new trails in export and animal welfare

Export demand for New Zealand commodities has never been higher and a family of Wairarapa farmers are forging new markets with a tasty alternative to good old cows’ milk. Piers Fuller reports.

High-protein, flavoured sheep’s milk created by Fernglen Farms on Masterton’s east coast will soon be available on the shelves of Asian supermarkets.

The small dairy producer is set to become the first fresh sheep milk exporter of retail-ready products in the country, and it was also leading the dairy industry in animal welfare.

Originally a traditional sheep and beef operation run by Jeff and Shirley Ravenwood, more recently the 1100-hectare East Coast farm has branched out into sheep dairy production spearheaded by youngest son Cameron.

Read More here…

Kiwis’ growing appetite for persimmon sees jump in local market

With persimmons about to hit shelves around the country, the industry is hoping this year will be less challenging than 2020.

Like many other sectors, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a number of difficulties for persimmon growers. But now, after an “excellent” harvest season, Ian Turk, manager of the New Zealand Persimmon Industry Council, says there is optimism about the coming year.

“We’ve had an excellent season this year and are recovering well from the impact of a tough 2020 season,” Turk said on Monday.

Read more here

grapes

Govt’s ongoing silence around horticulture labour shortage ‘disappointing’ – Central Otago Mayor

Central Otago’s horticulture sector fears fruit may be left to rot if a labour shortage isn’t filled soon.

The region is suffering from a lack of the usual seasonal workers from the Pacific because of COVID-19 border restrictions.

Many locals who filled in for the summer fruit harvest have left for university or jobs elsewhere.

With the borders creaking open with the announcement of the trans-Tasman bubble last week, horticulturists are calling for a Pacific bubble to follow.

Read more here…

water scare

Farmers struggling to access water for stock

Dry conditions around the country are causing issues with stock drinking water supplies and crop production a new survey has found.

Nearly 550 farmers responded to Federated Farmers 2021 Drought Survey over the last couple of weeks, painting a picture of conditions.

The survey found with little to no rain farmers are struggling to access water for their stock as dams waterways and aquifers are either substantially lower than normal or completely dry.

Respondents also highlighted issues with authority operated schemes not able to monitor those who are taking too much water from urban development, causing those down the scheme to have too little.

Read More here…

Australia

crop wheat

Lower new crop wheat price regime confirmed

Global wheat offers have been on a slippery slide during the past month as confidence grows about new crop Northern Hemisphere production.

This is especially the case in the Black Sea region, where early season concerns about dryness and late planting have been placated by favourable winter and early spring conditions.

The results of last week’s tender by Egypt’s General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) confirmed the much lower new crop price regime.

It also asserted the Black Sea region’s eagerness to get back in the game following the export tax confusion that has dominated market talk – and action – in recent months.

Read more here

wool australia

Comparative wool test figures up in WA

WITH autumn shearing – WA’s main wool harvesting season – progressing well, bale test numbers for last month bettered test numbers for March last season.

It was the first time since October that in a monthly comparison of WA wool test numbers with corresponding months last season, the current season has come out in front.

But while Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) tested more WA wool last month than in the previous March – 44,109 bales tested compared to 43,027 – the 2.5 per cent local increase paled into insignificance against corresponding bale test number increases in the Eastern States.

Read more here

grain

Dry weather concerns push markets higher

Northern grain markets continue to edge higher as dry weather concerns limit farmer selling in the south, as the focus turns to planting winter crops.

Nearby feed barley prices into the Darling Downs were $5 higher for the week to $268 delivered with barley up $4 to $295.

It is difficult to fathom that dry weather would be supporting northern grain markets less than a month out from the floods across areas of southern Queensland and northern NSW.

While southern Queensland and northern NSW received another round of beneficial rain over the weekend, conditions have turned dry further south. Most of the Darling Downs received 5-10mm over the weekend with 15-20mm across northern NSW strengthening from Walgett in the west to Tamworth to the east.

Read more here

Are Australia’s animal welfare standards enough to save live-ex?

AUSTRALIA’S live cattle trade may be logistically vastly different to that of New Zealand’s but the lobbying to have the trade banned that fed into the Kiwi decision to phase it out is not.

The same rhetoric that led NZ’s agriculture minister to cite public pressure in making the announcement last week that his country would end live exports by sea also exists in Australia – and every other country that supplies live animals.

The RSPCA says there are 176 countries where ‘people are fighting to ban live exports.’

Read more here

Southern farmers hit rainfall jackpot

GROWERS in and around the South Coastal and Great Southern regions hit the jackpot after the weekend’s weather systems (not necessarily TC Seroja) produced excellent rain, but with little to no wind.

Frankland River farmer Darcy Clode copped 74 millimetres of rain over Sunday and Monday, with the winds only reaching up to 30 kilometres per hour for a few hours on Sunday morning, before dropping away and a dead calm setting in.

“We had thought about starting seeding last week, but then we saw the forecast and thought we’d pull up and see what happens,” Mr Clode said.

Read more here…

South America

Coming dry spell in Argentina, after March rains, seen helping harvest

Reuters – Rains that have pelted Argentina’s Farm Belt since mid-March halted the deterioration of corn and soy yields, and a coming dry spell will help kick off harvesting of the country’s two main cash crops, climatologists said March 31.

The South American grains powerhouse is the world’s No. 3 corn exporter and top supplier of soymeal livestock feed, used to fatten hogs and poultry from Europe to Southeast Asia.

“Most of Argentina’s agricultural area will see little to no rainfall,” the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said in a report about the first half of April.

Read More here

Argentina beef export

Argentina reinstates beef exports registry

Argentina’s government Thursday created a registry of beef exporters among other measures to curb under-invoicing, which authorities fear has been going on for a while now.

The announcement was made by the Office of the Cabinet Chief (Santiago Cafiero) and the new system is to function within the Ministry of Productive Development’s Domestic Trade Secretariat.

The goal of the measure is to “improve the monitoring of beef exports and the supply to the domestic market,” the government said in a statement.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries establishes further requirements for the export of beef to generate more transparency and traceability and avoid illegal and speculative practices,” the statement goes on.

Read More here…

tobacco-jujuy

Jujuy Governor Morales encourages tobacco producers to switch to cannabis

Jujuy Province Governor Gerardo Morales says he is trying to persuade tobacco growers in the northern region to start harvesting cannabis plants instead.

“Cannabis is one of the most important projects that we have and it’s going to generate more profits than lithium and solar energy,” said the Radical Civic Union leader, whose provincial government has worked to foster marijuana production in the region’s dry, sunny terrain for export.

“I hope that with this [growing cannabis market] we will begin a change in diversification and that ten years from now we will stop planting tobacco and plan cannabis [instead],” added the opposition leader.

Read More here

Brazilian Meat Processors Importing Corn

Sao Paulo, BR — Meat lobbying group ABPA projects that Brazil’s chicken and pork processors will need to import corn starting in May as domestic prices of the cereal are historically high, according a report by Reuters.

Corn prices in the physical market surpassed 60 reais ($11.49) per 60-kg bag last week, the highest nominal value in history, reflecting low stockpiles after record exports in 2019.

Corn imports may come from Argentina and Paraguay, which are traditional providers during times of short supply in Brazil.

Read More here…

Food Updates

papaya

Could solar-dried papaya relieve malnutrition in Ethiopia?

A new project is hoping to make better use of the papaya harvest to relieve malnutrition in Ethiopia by creating more low-cost food options.

Arla Foods Ingredients is partnering with other bodies in a new four-year project to turn papaya fruit into a nutritious and affordable snack for low-income consumers in Ethiopia.

Led by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the project brings together multiple public-private partners. Their ultimate objective is to build a fruit processing value chain that will help reduce malnutrition, create jobs and cut post-harvest papaya loss.

The application team at Arla Foods Ingredients has already developed the first prototype recipes for a dried fruit protein bar based on papaya pulp and containing milk and whey-based ingredients.

Read more here

food-security

Income more important than good land when it comes to food security

Researchers from Dartmouth College found that the quality of agricultural land was not as important as household income when it comes to predicting food insecurity.

A comprehensive statistical analysis of drivers of food insecurity across 65 countries has concluded that household income consistently explains more discrepancy in food security than any other factor, including agricultural land resources and production.

The Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth study, “Cross-national analysis of food security drivers: comparing results based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale and Global Food Security Index,” was recently published by the peer-reviewed journal Food Security.

Read more here

Plant-based seafood on the menu at fast food chain

Germany-based fast food retailer Nordsee has begun the sale of plant-based versions of some of its most popular dishes.

Plant-based seafood has taken quite a large step forward this month, as the product began to be sold in an international food retailer in what manufacturer NOVISH says is a first for the sector.

NOVISH says it uses plant based proteins and “marine inspired natural aromas” in the manufacturing of its plant based seafood products, in an effort to mimic the texture of flaky white fish. NOVISH says the products “contain all the healthy ingredients that you find in fish, are 100 percent vegan, soy-free and contain no artificial additives like flavour enhancers, colourings and preservatives.”

Read more here

Growerstock rolls out cloud-based solution for produce suppliers and buyers

LOS ANGELES – Growerstock’s new cloud-based service helps produce buyers compare prices and product availability, negotiate offers, issue a purchase order, track changes, send instant messages, manage and share images and documents, and find new suppliers.

Growerstock Cloud is now available to all professional produce organizations and brings together Growerstock’s eProcurement, ePrice sheet, marketplace, daily deals, and USDA insights and analytics features into a single online suite – accessible anytime, anywhere. “Collaboration is critical to business growth, both within a buyer’s organization and with its supply chain partners,” said Tony Nuovo, chief executive officer, Growerstock. “Growerstock Cloud provides fresh produce businesses with a powerful and comprehensive collaboration tool, similar to what buyers in other industries have been using successfully for years.”

Read more here

plant-based_cheese

Plant-based cheese: category catches up
KANSAS CITY – As more options become available, plant-based cheeses are exploding in the dairy and specialty cheese cases. Data released by the Plant-based Food Association (PBFA) and the Good Food Institution found that plant-based cheese sales grew by 18% in 2019, largely outpacing growth in dairy cheese sales, which added 1.4% in 2019.The sales increase for plant-based cheeses in 2020 (final-year numbers are expected soon) is expected to be even higher. At the height of COVID-19 panic-buying, the overall plant-based category expanded by 95%, leading to many consumers trying plant-based products like vegan cheese for the first time.

Read more here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqF-psUmLFw

Plant-Based Foods

Plant-based items continue to be a trend into 2021, surveys show a high increase of consumption of protein from plant sources during the pandemic. Sales of plant-based protein and meat alternatives are projected to increase to a whopping $85 billion in 2030. There are many exciting options mentioned below!

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1-New plant-based meats 

There are a good number of companies that are using meat protein alternatives, such as chickpeas, fava bean, maize and wheat. In 2021, Heura will be introducing the first plant-based meat burger made with extra virgin olive oil which has the fatty texture of meat but 84% less saturated fat than the first generation of plant-based products.   

2-Packaged foods sweetened with fruit  

Reducing added sugar is more important than ever, as we now know that eating a diet high in added sugar may increase your risk of obesity and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Using the natural sweetness of whole fruits enhances the nutritional value of foods with a bounty of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and antioxidants.   

3-Chickpea everywhere

In the beginning, there was chickpea pasta. Now, you’ll find chickpea rice, chickpea pizza, chickpea tortillas, chickpea cereal and chickpea puffs. Experts suggest chickpea tofu and chickpea baked goods will be on the shelfs anytime soon, these are great gluten-free, nut-free options.

4-Plant-based probiotics

There are ample food options that are 100% vegan and contain abundant amount of probiotics. Plant-based probiotic supplements are ethically manufactured. Sauerkraut (made by fermenting raw cabbage) is an excellent example of a probiotic-rich vegan food. This pickled food has an even higher probiotic content than traditional yogurt! Further, fermented soy products, kombucha tea and brined pickles are other options that dedicated vegans can include in their diets for increasing their probiotic intake. While it is evident by now, that there are several natural sources of vegan probiotics at disposal.

5- Vegan condiments

2021 is about to get lit up with exciting vegan developments. Fortunately there are a wide variety of plant based condiments to keep up with the vegans cravings. From salad dressings to dipping sauces, whatever finishing touches your vegan food needs, there’s a vegan condiment to get the job done. Spicy chipotle salsa, roasted garlic pasta sauce, French dressing, mushroom gravy, Thai coconut marinade, and dairy-free sour cream are just a few of the vegan options in the condiment aisle.

6-Adaptogenic drinks

As alcohol-free beverages are soaring high, so are drinks featuring adaptogenic ingredients. Adaptogens are substances derived from plants that supposedly help the body counteract and adapt to stress.

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