Global Scans · Food & Agriculture · Weekly Summary

• [New] The potential value unlocked by AI in helping design out waste in a circular economy for food is estimated at USD 127 billion a year by 2030, and for consumer electronics, it's USD 90 billion a year by 2030. Mixflow.AI
• [New] Asia Pacific is projected to witness the highest growth due to the expanding e-commerce and food delivery ecosystems in China, Japan, and South Korea. ReAnIn
• [New] By 2026, precision agriculture is projected to increase global crop yields by up to 20% through data-driven decisions. Farmonaut
• [New] Over 60% of farms worldwide will adopt some form of digital agriculture or precision technologies during the third agricultural revolution by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, precision vertical agriculture will have established itself as a cornerstone of sustainable food systems. Farmonaut
• [New] Government grants for vertical farming are expected to rise by 25% by 2026, boosting sustainable food security projects. Farmonaut
• [New] Plant-based meat will be a much more dominant choice over the next decade or two. American Recruiters
• [New] Two new cultivated meat products could reach UK restaurants and homes in five years if scientific tests are successful. SKY
• [New] Global food demand is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades due to population growth and changing dietary patterns. openpr
• [New] The gap between intent and execution can often be wide, but it does seem like 2026 could be a massive year when it comes to food safety standards in America. AOL
• [New] Across Africa, climate change has intensified droughts, unpredictable rainfall and extreme weather events, posing major risks to food production and rural livelihoods. AgriFocus Africa
• [New] If the war in the Middle East drags on and the Brent crude oil benchmark remains near US$100 a barrel, the impact of high energy costs will spread to other industries - from food to electronics - and eventually hurt demand as businesses and households pull back spending worldwide. ST
• [New] A recent report by the Joint Intelligence Committee identified food security as a major risk to national security, explaining that ecosystem collapse around the world is likely to lead to food insecurity. Foodrise
• [New] Budget 2025 proposed legislation and ongoing funding of $216.6 million per year starting in 2029-30 for Employment and Social Development Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to make the National School Food Program permanent. JD Supra
• By the end of 2026, all nine petroleum-based synthetic food dyes will be gone. FoodNavigator-USA.com
• Rather than debating whether AI will replace jobs, a smarter strategy is to back specialised robots for tasks where Australia has an edge and clear application scenarios: mining, agriculture, aged care and remote operations. Mirage News
• The US recently released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, marking the most significant reform of nutrition policy in decades. CNS Media
• GHG emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide, significantly threaten global food security by altering climate conditions essential for crop productivity. PubMed Central (PMC)
• Asia's food industry is battling various hurdles threatening the rapid progress of sustainability agendas, with protein diversification and food safety emerging as major issues. FoodNavigator-Asia.com
• Carbon sequestration presents an opportunity for farmers to earn billions in revenue, provide on-farm diversification, and create a lower-cost transition pathway for the Australian economy. Mirage News
• US food price inflation is expected to return to a more typical pace in 2026 after several years of disruption. Supermarket Perimeter
• Syngenta has scanned its Australian and global R&D, digital and commercial pipeline to identify three mega-trends which will shape Australian agriculture in 2026 and beyond. Country News

Last updated: 17 March 2026