Market Flash

Global wheat markets sank deeper into a supply-induced slump during the week ending November 28, 2025, as bumper harvests from Europe to South America flooded export channels and intensified price wars.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has proposed a dramatic increase in the maximum residue level (MRL) for dodine in grapes—from the current 0.01 mg/kg (at the limit of quantification) to a striking 2 mg/kg, for both table and wine grapes.

A draft regulation published November 24, 2025, mandates that non-fermented white milk drinks must label themselves “Not Milk”, while fermented versions must declare “Not Yogurt”—ending years of consumer confusion.

Starting in 2026, 70% of standard formulas (Tier 1) will only require post-market notification, provided they meet Canadian standards and are made in recognized jurisdictions (e.g., EU, U.S.).

What began in March 2024 as a patent infringement lawsuit filed by French chemical titan Arkema has now reached a critical juncture.

In late November 2025, China’s titanium dioxide (TiO₂) industry was hit by a sudden wave of price hikes.

On November 12, 2025, Bridgestone Group announced Q3 results, with sales up 2.4% to ¥1.1185 trillion and adjusted operating profit up 7.8% to ¥133.7 billion.

US materials company Trinseo reported Q3 results, highlighting pressure from weak global resin markets and trade tensions.

On October 24, 2025, Sika announced Q3 operating results and ongoing structural adjustments in China and other weak markets.

On November 5, 2025, a chemical plant near Yazoo City, Mississippi, experienced an explosion that resulted in the release of toxic ammonia gas.

Lanxess, the specialty chemicals company, faced a challenging third quarter in 2025, with sales reaching €1.338 billion, down 16.3% from €1.598 billion in the same period last year.

The EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed has reported a border rejection involving a food supplement exported from China to Poland.

Zimbabwe’s blueberry industry is preparing for major expansion after securing access to the Chinese market and benefiting from China’s announcement of zero-tariff treatment for all products from fifty-three African partner countries.

Health Canada has released two consultation documents proposing revisions to maximum residue limits for the pesticides pyrethrins and penthiopyrad in several food commodities.

The European Food Safety Authority has issued its opinion on the food enzyme triacylglycerol lipase, which is produced from the pregastric tissues of calves, young goats and lambs.

The European Food Safety Authority’s GMO Panel has published its scientific opinion on oilseed rape LBFLFK, a genetically modified variety engineered to alter its fatty acid profile and provide tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides.

The European Food Safety Authority has released its peer review of the pesticide active substance phenmedipham following the evaluation conducted by Finland and Denmark.

Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture has issued an emergency authorization allowing the use of a twelve-percent sulfoxaflor suspension concentrate in broccoli crops in response to a severe outbreak of the cabbage whitefly.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has announced the suspension of product registrations and label approvals for dimethoate used on blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

India’s diabetes landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation with the rapid rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medicines that harness the body’s gut hormones to regulate blood sugar and improve overall metabolic health.