Mr Viral
‘Forceful and precise’: How China’s retaliation to Trump’s tariffs could impact food tradeChina’s retaliatory tariff response to Trump’s Liberation Day hikes is likely to have a major impact on the food and beverage trade.
Earlier this year, China had already struck back against Trump’s first and second tariff hikes by implementing its own increases for some 820 US imports – over 700 of which were agrifood products.
“The US’s unilateral tariff increase damages the multilateral trading system, increases the burden on US companies and consumers, and undermines the foundation of economic and trade cooperation between China and the US,” China’s State Council Tariff Commission (CTC) had said via a strongly-worded statement.
Production revolution: Japan seeks to modernise dairy and beef sectors via new five-year policySupply chain resilience and facility upgrades are at the heart of a new Japanese plan so modernise the dairy and beef sectors.
Japan’s agrifood sector has faced many challenges in the past few years, ranging from multiple natural disasters to consistent pushbacks in making its way up from the bottom of the global food self-sufficiency list.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), beef and dairy makes up around 42% of Japan’s total agri-food output, dwarfing rice (16%) and vegetables (24%), making the advancement of this sector a top priority.
“The beef and dairy sectors are very important, converting raw milk and raw beef into high-quality protein products for consumers to consume,” MAFF said via a formal statement.
Australian food industry urges more targeted government assistance after Budget 2025The food and grocery industry in Australia has urged the government to consider providing more targeted assistance for the sector after the announcement of Budget 2025, to improve areas such as risk mitigation and energy.
Australia Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the country’s 2025/2026 Budget in late March, with a lot of focus on income tax cuts and cost of living relief – but according to the local food and grocery sector, this may not be enough to provide consumers with ‘lasting relief’.
“The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) welcomes the government’s commitment to easing financial pressure on households,” AFGC Interim CEO Colm Maguire said via a formal statement.
Thailand amends standards for fruit-based spreads to align with international requirementsThailand has set new standards for jam, jelly and marmalade fruit-based spreads to align manufacturing with international standards.
Previously, the definition for fruit-based spreads was broadly similar across categories, resulting in products with different fruit content all being described as the same.
The amended standards now mandate manufacturers to hit specific amounts of fruit content, before being allowed to label their items as jams, jellies or marmalades.
“The Ministry of Public Health has determined that it is necessary to amend the previous standards for jams, jellies and marmalades sold in sealed containers in Thailand, in order to be aligned with international standards,” Thailand Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin said via a formal statement.
US blanket tariff hikes evoke mixed responses from Singapore food manufacturersSome say it’s a setback, others a silver lining. Here’s what Singapore food and beverage manufacturers have to say about US President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes.
The United States’ recent announcement of at least 10% tariff hikes on all its trade partners saw mostly negative reactions from markets all over the world, and retaliatory measures announced by major economies such as China and Canada.
Some of the markets most heavily impacted by the US’ move were China with a 54% total hike which was later raised to 145%, Vietnam (46%) and Cambodia (49%).
By comparison, Singapore has gotten a relatively better end of the stick compared to most of its other ASEAN counterparts with ‘only’ the 10% blanket hike – and reactions from the local food and beverage to this have been mixed so far.
