Food Trade Archives - Dirt to Dinner

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Connecting you with our food system and its value in our daily lives — from dirt to dinner.

Food Trade

What’s Keeping Food Costs So High?

The cost of the food we put on our tables is still going up and up. What keeps driving up food costs...and is there anything we can do about it? Or is paying more for our food the price we pay for a better, healthier food system? Let's take a closer look.

Food Production, Food Trade

Where does our food come from?

We're taking a journey into some of our favorite foods to see where they’re from and how they get to our supermarkets. With products like these, seems simple, right? Mix ingredients and ship them out. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth...

Food Production, Food Trade

Russian Wheat & Global Food Security

Despite its war on Ukraine, Russian wheat production has demonstrated a surprising rebound from trade disruptions. But is that enough to surmount its perilous political status?

Food Security, Food Trade

Our Daily Bread: Uncertainty in Global Wheat Markets

The world needs wheat for bread, a daily fixture in households across the globe. As significant exporters of this "staple of life", Russia's war on Ukraine affects the world’s wheat supply. Which countries, if any, can step up to fill in the gap...and at what price?

Food Security, Food Trade

China's Plight with Food Independence

Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambition to reshape global world order and replace the U.S. as global economic and military leader misses one key element: China's dependence on capitalist and democratic nations for food security.

Food Security, Food Trade

Ukraine Conflict Tops 2022's Ag Headlines

The resulting disruption ripples across every aspect of agriculture, magnifying the importance of global interdependence. We'll also highlight other top stories and questions as we move into 2023. Buckle up.

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

A Roadmap to Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Inflation has had a major impact on food prices. And, making it worse, ongoing supply chain strains have led to empty shelves at our supermarket. What does this mean for our Thanksgiving grocery lists? And how will this affect our wallets? Let us help you navigate!

Food Production, Food Trade

Lost at Sea: Ukraine Struggles to Revive Ag Sector

Uncertainties over Ukraine's ability to export ag products have resurfaced following news of Putin’s decision to withdraw from an international agreement. Trade manages to continue, but once again the stability of the global food system has been called into serious question.

Food Production, Food Security, Food Trade

Will more ethanol fight inflation...or fuel it?

Prices for gasoline, food and other staples continue to rise and rise. The latest initiative is to increase the amount of ethanol allowed in our gas tanks. But will this temper gas prices? Or just increase food prices for consumers?

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Trade

Global Trade Can't Happen without Ocean Freight

Ocean transportation offers exceptional advantages in cost, efficiency and environmental concerns. But keeping the ships sailing smoothly across busy and sometimes troubled seas takes a lot of effort – in ways we might not always recognize.

Food Trade

Railroads Drive Lower Costs, Fewer Emissions

Each year, railroads provide the enormous carrying capacity needed to efficiently move billions of tons of everyday products...all while releasing fewer emissions.

Food Trade

Energy, Food Costs: The Unexpected Pain of Ukraine Invasion

While it is uncertain whether Russia's invasion of Ukraine will have serious immediate consequences for U.S. consumers, it could have profound longer-term implications for food costs, the global supply chain and trading system that makes our modern lifestyle possible.

Food Security, Food Trade

Why Are Shelves Empty? Ask A Trucker

The effects of the pandemic linger across all industries, but perhaps most with transportation. Difficulties facing trucking show its rippling effects throughout the supply chain. Can anything be done to correct its course?

Food Production, Food Trade

Ukraine: Quiet Pawn in Quest for Food Security

Current tensions can be traced to its geography, history, and geopolitics. And, surprising to some, its role as a major player in the global food system.

Food Security, Food Trade

We've got questions for you, 2022...

Governments and companies are changing the way we address food security, the environment, and consumer health. At D2D, we have covered some of these subjects previously but are now looking harder at how the future will be shaped by those who grow, trade, process, and consume food.

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade, Health, Soil and Crop Management

Supply Chain, Inflation & Climate Change

We're taking a moment to look back at some of the big issues and news items in 2021 to set the stage for what should be another year of change.

Climate Change, Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

Covid's Effect on New Tech in Our Food System

Innovations in e-grocery services have made our lives easier, safer, and more efficient, but have also permanently impacted our food supply chains. How can these emerging technologies help transform our new food system?

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

What Do the Suez Canal and Covid Have in Common?

More than you'd think. The blockage may be over, but the after-effects will linger. As we saw during Covid, significant disruption to the global supply chain extends all the way to consumers. So what should we prepare for?

Food Trade

Don’t Look Now, But They’re Gaining on Us

U.S. ag is one of the most productive, efficient, and well-developed systems on the planet. But Brazil and Argentina have quickly and impressively developed complex global food & ag systems. What does this mean for us?

Food Production, Food Trade

5 Top Issues Important to Farmers

We asked hundreds of farmers and ranchers across the U.S. to tell us their thoughts on the 2020 presidential election. Here are the 5 issues they identified as most important to farmers in America.

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Trade

Farmer & Rancher Election Survey Results

D2D set out with a goal to better understand the issues affecting American farmers - their concerns, hopes, and thoughts about the next four years. Here are our results...

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Trade, Health, Soil and Crop Management

Chlorinated Chicken: Public Health or Politics?

Trade talks between the U.S. and the U.K. have centered on a food safety practice for poultry products that positions science against good food policy. So, at what point should science govern our food supply?

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety, Food Trade

Around the World at My Local Restaurant

Whoa - I traveled much farther than down the block for this delicious meal...

Food Trade

China Assumes Central Role in Global Trade Picture

With the U.S.-China relationship fraught with geopolitical issues, how will our supply-demand connection affect food security?

Food Trade

2 Trade Deals and Plant Food in a Pear Tree: Top News in 2019

2019 has been a wild ride! News about our food and how we get it – from dirt to dinner – have had us on the edge of our seats...

Animal Welfare and Health, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety, Food Trade, Soil and Crop Management

Coffee: Uniting Our Worlds

Our morning brew is so much more than just another beverage! Each cup connects us with farmers in the rainforests and mountains, highlighting the importance of sustainable farming. To bring our cup of joe to life, we introduce sustainability-rated Colombian coffee producer, Finca El Ocaso.

Food Ingredients, Food Production, Food Trade

The African Swine Fever Epidemic: Are We at Risk?

Many of us are unaware of issues affecting our food supply. But what if the pork products we place in our grocery carts became harder to find? The devastating disease, African Swine Fever, has made this a potential reality in Asia.

Food Safety, Food Trade

Back to Business: D2D News Recap

With summer winding down and kids returning to school, it’s time once again to catch up on some food & ag news from around the world. It’s been a busy time, with lots of news we at Dirt-to-Dinner found to be important, interesting, sometimes outrageous and occasionally funny. Here it is, in case you missed it...