Consumer Foods to Go

October was an eventful month! Cyberattacks on food retailers made headlines, and we may not have seen the last of them. We also discuss recent research on China's evolving role in the global food system as the country increasingly focuses on food exports. Finally, we ask our audience: What happens when AI agents start doing consumers' grocery shopping?   Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast. 

The original Consumer Foods to Go Wrap team is back! Maria Castroviejo, Tom Bailey, and Cyrille Filott discuss the key highlights from September 2026. Topics include food prices and promotions in Europe as retailer negotiations get underway, the potential impact of climate change on tropical fruit production in southern Europe, and developments in the dairy market.    Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast. 

The RaboResearch Consumer Foods-to-Go team came together to discuss the highlights in food in August 2026. They cover key topics like the weather and climate, as well as some recently published and very interesting Rabobank research, including the Dairy Top 20, which details profound shifts in the dairy sector. The team also flags the brand spanking new private label report: Is 60 the new 50? They wrap up by discussing questions received from clients, including food inflation.   Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast. 

Despite scorching heat in the Northern Hemisphere, July has been far from a dull month. In this episode, we reflect on why on-premise alcohol consumption in the US has remained resilient, even as retail alcohol sales continue to soften. Several theories may help explain both the trend and the consumer groups supporting it. Questions about consumer behavior extend beyond alcohol. Potato demand also appears to be weaker. Though perhaps too much of what is happening in the food and beverages world is being attributed to GLP-1 drugs, potatoes may be one category affected by the growing use of these medications. Still, other factors may also be contributing. At the same time, the month has been equally dynamic in terms of corporate activity. As geopolitical developments and disruptions become increasingly frequent, industries, including packaging, may be prioritizing resilience over optimization. The risk of a super El Niño provides yet another reason to do so. These pressures are unfolding against a broader backdrop of uncertainty. Yet despite ongoing cost pressures, supply chain disruptions, and heightened uncertainty, sluggish demand and limited visibility into future sales remain top concerns for food and beverage operators. We close our monthly episode with some thoughts about demand indicators and strategies to attract consumers.   Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast. 

Another exciting month in food! Steve Rannekleiv (of Liquid Assets fame), Maria Castroviejo, and Cyrille Filott discuss the hottest topics in food – and this time, beverages as well. They begin by exploring the latest developments shaping the industry, including geopolitics (once again) and the growing momentum behind dietary fiber as a consumer trend. They then dive into several recent RaboResearch reports, with one about the evolving landscape of alcohol distribution standing out in particular. To close, they reflect on the rapid rise of AI and debate whether artificial intelligence could become the next major influencer of consumer choices.   Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast. 

The Consumer Foods-to-Go team is back with another monthly wrap-up, looking back at everything that happened in May. It was a particularly eventful month, with several major developments featured in the podcast, including Uber Eats' bid to acquire Delivery Hero. We also highlight some excellent new research, including a piece on nutrient density as an emerging consumer theme. Finally, we wrap up by answering listener questions, including one thought-provoking topic: In these turbulent times, should food companies be sharing more infrastructure?   Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast. 

Every year at the Private Label Manufacturers Association trade show in Amsterdam, Sebastiaan Schreijen and Cyrille Filott sit down with industry leaders to discuss the state of private label in food. This year's podcast is especially compelling for two reasons: the turbulent global food environment, marked by high energy prices and persistent inflation, and the sharp perspectives shared by an exceptional group of guests. Tune in to hear insights from Matt Frost, Executive Director at Glacier; Jean-Manuel Lévêque, CEO of Novepan; and Jens Sievert, Director of International Design & Branding at Daymon. All three are highly experienced executives who offer thoughtful views on inflation, resilience, and whether private label's market share is nearing its ceiling.   Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast. 

April served up big signals for the food industry, and we're breaking them down. In this episode, we unpack the month's headlines through three lenses: geopolitics and what it could mean for supply and trade, fresh Q1 foodservice insights and why 2026 looks more like a year of sorting than a straight recovery, and the accelerating cost-cutting wave across major food and retail players (and why it's not AI-driven... yet). Plus, in our "Specials," we clarify the note about "another ceasefire," pressure-test the latest inflation takeaways, and share an outlook on fertilizers. Finally, we tackle questions on cybersecurity.   Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast. 

In this episode of Consumer Foods-to-Go Wrap, we look at a whole buffet of topics. We examine how recent geopolitical tensions in Iran are influencing global consumer confidence, purchasing behavior, and commodity-driven price movements. We also discuss the sharp uptick in M&A across the food sector, where companies are pursuing scale, capabilities, and innovation through strategic deals. Finally, we share on-the-ground insights from Natural Products Expo West and Alimentaria + Hostelco, highlighting emerging brands, breakthrough concepts, and the trends shaping the next wave of food and beverage innovation.   Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast. 

A lot has been happening across the food sector, so it's the perfect moment to bring you up to speed. In our February wrap‑up, Maria Castroviejo, Tom Bailey, and Cyrille Filott take a deep dive into the major developments shaping the industry. They cover a wide range of topics – from the latest thinking on health and nutrition to key takeaways from CAGNY that are influencing corporate strategy. The team also unpacks recent strategic moves by Kraft Heinz and explores what these shifts might signal for the broader market. Finally, they look ahead at the evolving future of the packaging sector, where innovation, regulation, and sustainability continue to drive rapid change. Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417027/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast.