AGP Executive Report

Restaurant Expansion: Japan’s Katsuya has opened its first Philippine outlet, looking overseas for growth as its domestic business struggles. Company Results: Mexico’s Grupo Bafar reported record third-quarter sales of 8.89 billion pesos, up 11.5% year over year, with food-division EBITDA rising 18.6%. Beverage Distribution: Coconut-water brand CocoLove added distributors in Florida and California and launched its first flavored product as it expands into retail, hospitality and cruise channels. Food Safety: A warning over U.S. FDA staffing cuts says reduced inspection and outbreak-tracing capacity could weaken food protection, amid a large Cyclospora outbreak and multiple product recalls. Food Innovation: Precision fermentation is drawing interest as a way to produce alternative proteins and other ingredients, though scaling production remains a challenge. Agriculture and Trade: Vietnam plans to use APEC 2027 to promote greener farming and food security, including low-emission rice production and regenerative-agriculture partnerships.

Seafood Trade: Japanese seafood exports to Malaysia jumped about 40% in the first eight months of 2026, reaching roughly ¥5 billion as demand grows for premium products and Japanese cuisine. UK Restaurant Expansion: Chick-fil-A plans to open its first UK drive-thru in Hamilton on October 29, while Fireaway Pizza has launched a new open-kitchen format in Bristol as it expands its 150-store network. Food Exports: Jordan’s new 2027–29 strategy targets JD1.61 billion in food exports by 2029, with a push into higher-value products such as processed produce, confectionery and ready meals. Industry Priorities: More than 460 food-system leaders gathered at IGD’s UK conference, where speakers urged businesses and government to turn shared goals on resilience, health and sustainability into practical action. Waste Reduction: Wolverhampton has begun weekly household food-waste collections, sending scraps to anaerobic digestion to produce energy and fertiliser. Measured Growth: Restaurant analysts warn that rapid expansion can leave chains with weak locations and stretched operations, arguing that steady, disciplined growth is a surer route to lasting success.

Restaurant Growth: Guzman y Gomez’s founder-led expansion is leaning on digital ordering, delivery and loyalty sales, though rising food and wage costs could pressure margins. At Chaag Thai in West Virginia, a service robot now carries orders, freeing staff for kitchen work. Food Affordability: Food insecurity is worsening: Pakistan’s moderate-to-severe rate reached 24.35% of households, while severe food insecurity in Australia rose about 40% from 2020 to 2024. Food Safety: Delhi inspectors destroyed 922kg of adulterated sweets and spoiled food in a festive-season crackdown. Industry Pressures: PepsiCo is closing a Tennessee bottling plant amid falling soft-drink volumes, while a UK frozen-food company has gone into liquidation.

Foodservice & Growth: Gurugram’s Momos Mafia has grown from a street cart to about 40 carts, 20 outlets and two quick-service restaurants through franchising. In South Korea, Ulsan’s $1.8 million bridge food hall has effectively halted operations after visitor numbers plunged and all restaurant tenants closed. Market Shifts: Pepsi’s partnership with KFC is ending in the U.S.; Coca-Cola will replace Pepsi drinks at 3,700 locations from January. UK halal frozen-food maker Quality Bites, which supplied more than 1,000 stores, has entered liquidation. Supply & Production: Wheat futures are on course for an eighth straight weekly decline as global output nears a record. Mondelēz says its contribution to the West Midlands economy approached £1 billion in 2025. Food Security: The UAE is bolstering supply resilience with diversified suppliers, trade routes and strategic stocks. UK food leaders also urged coordinated action on food security, health and sustainability at IGD’s Future of the UK Food System conference. Storm Disruption: Flooding in Scotland damaged a Largs shop and Thai restaurant, with further high tides threatening recovery.

Food Delivery: Swiggy shares fell 24.5% after quarterly results highlighted mounting losses at its Instamart quick-commerce arm, while Bolt Food’s business in Kumasi has more than doubled in its second year. Food Safety: HACCP remains central to major global certification schemes, even as standards evolve; separately, Vietnam is weighing a change to its multi-ministry food safety oversight. Agrifood Outlook: Sabah plans to strengthen farmer support, infrastructure, technology and market links, with a target to raise rice self-sufficiency from 22% to 40% by 2030. India, meanwhile, accounts for about 40% of global rice exports, though shipping disruptions are driving up freight and insurance costs. Market Watch: Azerbaijan’s food service turnover rose 8%, pointing to continued sector growth.

Food Safety: Vietnam is proposing a single coordinating authority under a revised food-safety law, replacing oversight split among three ministries. In India, Madhya Pradesh ordered a recall of a Patanjali cow-ghee batch after it failed safety standards; the company plans to appeal. Farm Resilience: Sabah aims to lift rice self-sufficiency from 22% to 40% by 2030, with more support for farmers, technology and market access. In Jordan, the World Bank-backed Ardi program has provided services or assets to 63,812 farmers and strengthened climate resilience for 111,508 people. Rice Trade: Indian exporters are being urged to improve pesticide controls and traceability after residues accounted for 69% of rice shipment rejections in European markets. African buyers still want Indian rice, but higher prices are holding back large orders. Industry Events: Madrid’s Fruit Attraction drew 128,364 professionals, up 6% from last year, and 2,588 exhibitors, reflecting continued global interest in fresh-produce trade.

Pub Trade: Heineken says customers using weight-loss drugs are drinking less often and spending less per visit, prompting the brewer to explore smaller pours, weaker beers and premium options. Agri-food Investment: Moldova will receive €150 million from the European Investment Bank to modernize farming, processing, storage and distribution, helping producers reach EU markets. Restaurant Expansion: Colombia’s Grupo Nutresa has agreed to acquire burger chain Presto, adding its outlets and production facilities to a fast-food portfolio that already includes El Corral. Food Industry Turnaround: Nestlé reported third-quarter organic sales growth of 4%, with U.S. snacks and frozen foods recovering as CEO Philipp Navratil reshapes the business. Trade Dispute: A U.S. food importer is challenging tariffs on Canadian goods, raising questions about presidential powers and predictability for companies relying on integrated cross-border supply chains.

Poultry Trade: HatchMatch has expanded its marketplace to connect poultry and egg producers with international buyers, alongside farm-planning and equipment services. Ingredients: DKSH will help GNT grow sales of plant-based food colours to Vietnamese manufacturers. Delivery Economics: Swiggy’s food-delivery arm hit record adjusted EBITDA of ₹341 crore in Q2, while quick-commerce losses widened to ₹895 crore. Supply-Chain Risks: A BSI-CIPS report found 97% of surveyed food and drink firms had identified modern-slavery or serious labour-rights risks in their supply chains. Food Affordability: Nigeria’s economic council approved a 90-day plan to lower living costs and improve food affordability. Distribution Disruption: A truckers’ strike in southern Italy has left supermarket shelves empty and stranded agricultural produce, with some producers halting harvests and production.

Restaurant Demand: Quick-service pizza has captured 45% of U.S. pizza spending, gaining share from frozen and homemade options; nearly nine in 10 buyers say they’ll switch formats, making value and convenience key. In Nigeria, delivery platforms account for just 1% of spending on prepared meals, while Bolt Food says its Kumasi business more than doubled in year two. Industry Shifts: PepsiCo is shutting a Tennessee bottling plant amid falling soft-drink volumes. Abbott plans to spin off its nutrition business, and France’s Fleury Michon has acquired plant-based meal company Allplants. Food Safety: Supplier-risk platform Share-ify has launched an AI tool to help food businesses assess compliance and supply-chain risks.**

Hotel Automation: Malaysia’s YYForce plans to test AI-powered robots in hotels, progressing from concierge tasks to food and beverage service and banquet operations. Commodity Outlook: Malaysia’s palm oil council expects prices to stay above RM4,600 a tonne in November, with seasonal production declines and biodiesel demand supporting the market. Delivery: Swiggy’s second-quarter revenue rose 36% year on year to ₹7,571 crore, while its net loss narrowed 16% to ₹922 crore; losses at quick-commerce arm Instamart widened. Dining and Hospitality: London’s Elephant Exchange food hall is set to open on November 12, bringing independent food businesses together under one roof. Air India is also introducing restaurant-style plated meals in business class on long-haul flights. Growth and Innovation: Japanese-themed chain Harajuku Tokyo Café raised $3 million to fund 10 new outlets and central kitchens, while Sri Lanka’s Samagi Spice Exports launched SPICEUP, a cinnamon-based beverage range. Food Safety: Mumbai’s FDA suspended licences at four food outlets after finding hygiene violations, including unclean kitchens and improper food handling.

Restaurant Trends: Fast-food traffic fell 2.6% last quarter, putting chains under pressure as earnings season begins. OpenTable’s COO says AI is reshaping reservations, while restaurants are turning to smaller social-media creators to promote new menu items. Pricing & Trade: Proposed surveillance-pricing laws could affect restaurant loyalty programs. Food importer Gellert Global is also suing over 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, citing added pressure on food and beverage costs. Industry Moves: Abbott plans to spin off its nutrition business after years of infant-formula turmoil. In India, Flipkart is testing a rapid food-delivery service to challenge Zomato and Swiggy. Hospitality & Drinks: Australian liquor cooperative ILG reported sales growth of 2.9% to A$545 million and returned more than A$18 million to members in rebates and support. Melbourne’s Carwyn Cellars won two major Australian beer-industry awards.

Plant-Based Deal: French manufacturer Fleury Michon has bought Allplants, a notable consolidation move after years of turbulence for the plant-based business. Food Delivery: Flipkart is testing its “Eat-in by Minutes” service with more than 8,000 employees in Bengaluru and is reportedly targeting a public launch by month-end, setting up a challenge to Zomato and Swiggy. Leadership: The Compleat Food Group has appointed Steve Challouma as its first chief growth officer and Jo Smith as chief product officer to lead growth and product innovation. Food Rules: Bangladesh will require registration or licences for specified food businesses from Nov. 1, including restaurants, bakeries and catering providers. Supply Chains: Nigeria’s cold-storage capacity falls far short of the estimated 11 million tonnes of perishable produce needing it, leaving major scope for investment to curb food losses. Food Access: The UN warns that 19.2 million Afghans could face acute food insecurity this winter, as funding cuts have also closed or suspended many nutrition sites.

Food Entrepreneurship: Malaysia’s government says 1,228 people have joined its food-business initiative, with 929 reporting cumulative sales above RM2,000; two sites averaged more than RM13,000 in monthly sales. Coffee Expansion: UK-based Coffee House is opening its 50th store, backed by a Warrington hub that roasts coffee and produces much of its food range. Packaging Investment: Crown Holdings is building its first Indian can plant, with capacity for about 2.2 billion beverage cans a year and production due to start in 2027. Restaurant Leadership: Pollo Campero named former CKE International executive Julio Sánchez CEO of its U.S. business, as the chain grows beyond roughly 150 locations. Foodservice Technology: Big Y is adding in-store foodservice kiosks and online catering orders, while Flipkart is testing a food-delivery service in India. Beverage Business: KFC has selected Coca-Cola as its U.S. drinks partner, ending its longstanding PepsiCo deal; Coravin has also launched its wine-by-the-glass guide in New Zealand. Cost Pressures: New forecasts warn global food inflation could persist into 2027, raising continued concerns for food businesses and consumers.

Market Access: Cambodia used its SIAL Paris showcase to build European partnerships and promote exports of rice and other agricultural products. Delivery Race: Walmart-owned Flipkart is preparing a food-delivery launch in India, challenging Zomato and Swiggy with its own rider fleet and restaurant listings. Beverage Sales: GURU Organic Energy reported record Amazon sales during October’s Prime Big Deal Days, led by its zero-sugar range. Food Safety: Kayem Foods recalled about 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry over possible temperature abuse; no illnesses have been reported. Food Service Staffing: Japan plans to reopen some foreign-worker admissions for meal services amid labor shortages. Industry Moves: KFC named Coca-Cola its U.S. beverage partner, ending its longstanding PepsiCo deal. Climate Resilience: Heifer International will support 16,000 farming families in Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras as El Niño threatens crops and supply chains.

Food Safety: Nearly 1.6 million pounds of meat and poultry sold under multiple brands are being recalled over improper storage; the USDA classifies it as a high-risk recall. India’s FSSAI has also moved against quick-commerce firms over food safety and labelling violations. Foodservice Labor: Japan plans to reopen applications for foreign workers serving meals in hospitals and care facilities, where providers report widespread staffing shortages. Restaurant & Beverage: KFC is ending its long-running Pepsi partnership in the U.S. and switching to Coca-Cola. Trade & Production: New Zealand wine exporters gain better access to India under a new trade deal, with tariffs set to fall over the next decade. In the UK, food manufacturers warn that being left out of industrial support risks investment and food security. Food Aid: The World Food Programme says funding shortages are forcing cuts to food assistance for 500,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Restaurant Technology: Connecticut chain Duchess Restaurants will make Beyond Oil’s frying treatment its standard across the business, aiming to improve consistency while cutting oil use, waste and costs. Food Safety: India’s FSSAI has issued notices to quick-commerce platform Zepto and three food companies over alleged expiry-date, labelling and advertising violations, adding to a wider push for tighter controls. Hospitality Growth: A former school in Knutsford is set to become School Yard, a food hall with up to six international street-food vendors; KFC has also opened a new 64-seat drive-through in York as part of its UK expansion plan. Staffing: Japan plans to resume accepting foreign workers for meal services at hospitals, care facilities and schools from next April, as shortages worsen. Food Aid: Funding shortfalls are forcing the World Food Programme to cut monthly assistance to 1.1 million people in Gaza from 1.6 million, halve rations and reduce hot meals. Costs: Restaurant and takeaway prices in Malta rose 5.6% year on year in September, outpacing food prices excluding eating-out services.