Watch our new monthly video series, INC News Recap
Trade & Tariff Update
Iran: Hostilities Threaten Fertilizer Supplies; Food Exports Banned Until Further Notice
Shipping disruptions in the Persian Gulf are raising concerns about global fertilizer supply. As noted by Forbes, the region is among the world’s most important suppliers of nitrogen fertilizer, accounting for between 40% and 50% of the 55 to 60 million metric tons of urea shipped by sea each year—and nearly all of those exports must pass through the Strait of Hormuz. [Read more]
USA: Federal Court Orders Steps Toward Tariff Refunds; Trump Administration Expected to Appeal
On March 4, 2026, a judge at the US Court of International Trade ordered the US government to take steps towards issuing refunds for tariffs recently struck down by the US Supreme Court, according to the New York Times. [Read more]
USA: Trade Investigations Launched to Lay Groundwork for Future Tariffs
The US has launched a series of trade investigations that could pave the way for future tariffs on imports from dozens of trading partners, as the Trump administration seeks legal mechanisms to sustain trade pressure beyond a temporary surcharge. [Read more]
USA: Announced 15% Global Baseline Tariff Remains Unimplemented
US President Donald Trump’s threat to raise the 10% global baseline tariff to 15% remains unimplemented more than one month after the announcement was issued. [Read more]
Australia-EU: Free Trade Agreement Negotiations Concluded
In March, Australia and the EU concluded negotiations on a free trade deal that will eliminate nearly all tariffs on goods traded in both directions. Both sides must now complete their respective domestic processes required for signature and entry into force. [Read more]
Industry News and Outlook
Sustainability News
This month’s sustainability roundup includes information about the publication of a directive simplifying the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the implementation timeline of the EU’s greenwashing ban. [Read more]
Food Safety Developments
The latest food safety news includes information about possible upcoming changes in EU regulations on mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH) in food, Colombia’s draft phytosanitary requirements for peanut kernels from Paraguay, a new AI tool launched by the European Commission to improve food safety, and more. [Read more]
Labeling Updates
This month’s labeling news focuses on new rules in Myanmar requiring food business operators to display the Food Product Code on the labels of all pre-packaged food products. [Read more]
Health & Nutrition Highlights
Nut Intake Associated With Improved Diet and Sleep Quality
Research published in the journal Nutrients has found that regular nut consumption may help enhance overall dietary habits and contribute to improved sleep. The study examined the relationships between peanuts and tree nuts, diet quality, and sleep quality among undergraduate college students. Researchers recruited 46 participants to complete three 24-hour dietary recalls—categorizing recall days as containing nuts or not containing nuts—and to self-report sleep quality. [Read more]
Study Finds Daily Almond Supplementation May Improve Acne Lesions
A recent study published in Nutrients has found that daily almond consumption may help improve acne outcomes in young adults aged 18-35 years. This randomized controlled study included 74 participants with mild to moderate acne. Participants assigned to the almond group consumed 60 grams daily of whole, unsalted almonds with skin, while those in the control group ate calorie-matched cereal-pulse-based snacks. After 20 weeks, the researchers measured changes in inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts… [Read more]
Peanut Allergy Explained: How Early Introduction Can Reduce Risk
JAMA recently published a concise explainer article on peanut allergy, showing how introducing peanuts early in infancy can substantially reduce risk, alongside a summary of diagnosis and treatment. Peanut allergy is an immune reaction to peanut proteins that can trigger skin, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular symptoms, and in rare cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis. It affects about 2% of people in the US, usually developing in early childhood, though 10-30% of children outgrow it. [Read more]
Daily Almond Intake Linked to Improved Inflammatory Markers
A recent study published in Nutrients found that eating almonds every day for six weeks improved inflammatory profiles in adults with obesity. The aim of this randomized controlled parallel-arm trial was to investigate whether daily almond consumption improved systemic inflammatory and immune markers in adults with obesity. Sixty-nine adults with obesity between the ages of 30 and 45 years were assigned to consume either 57 grams per day of almonds or a calorie-matched cookie snack for six weeks. [Read more]
INC Events & Initiatives
Apply Now for the INC Sustainability Certification
The INC has formalized its partnerships with auditing bodies Bureau Veritas, our global partner, and DFA of California, in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With auditing capacity now in place, INC members can now begin obtaining the INC Sustainability Certification. [Apply now!]
INC Executive Committee Gathers in California and Advances Strategic Goals
In March, the INC Executive Committee met in Los Angeles to review progress on key strategic priorities and advance several important initiatives. During the visit, INC formally signed an agreement with DFA of California, confirming its role as an auditing partner for the INC Sustainability Certification, further strengthening the program. The Executive Committee also visited the Resnick Sustainability Institute at Caltech, where discussions highlighted how science-based research and innovation can support more sustainable practices across the nut and dried fruit sector. During the same week, the INC also participated in Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, connecting with industry partners and reinforcing the INC’s role as the global voice of the nut and dried fruit industry. Don’t miss the latest INC news—connect on LinkedIn
Keynote Speakers Announced for INC Congress 2026!
Brandy Niu serves as Vice President of JD.com and President of JD Retail FMCG. She oversees the end-to-end merchandising and category operations for food, fast-moving consumer goods and agricultural products, spearheading operations for JD Super (JD’s supermarket channel) and the premium membership-based platform Yihaodian (One’s Member). Under her leadership in the first half of 2025, JD Retail’s FMCG business group outpaced industry growth in gross merchandise value, order volume, and user growth, reinforcing its market-leading status. Ms. Niu joined JD.com in 2022, following a career in senior leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Amazon, and Mars. [View speaker]
Jason Fu, Chief AI Expert for the Consumer Industry at Feishu, has long been deeply engaged in the digital transformation of the consumer sector. He focuses on using artificial intelligence to build end-to-end digital employees for enterprises, covering the entire process from decision-making to execution, and helping enterprises embrace the AI revolution. In 2025, Jason has delivered AI lectures to over 80 enterprises, popularizing AI cognition among top executives and management teams. [View speaker]
Not Registered Yet? Join 1,200+ Industry Leaders in Macao
Be part of the INC World Nut & Dried Fruit Congress, May 12-14, 2026. Connect with decision-makers from 65+ countries, explore opportunities at the largest-ever Nutfruit Plaza (55 exhibitors), and stay ahead of key industry trends.
Registration is filling fast: Join 1,200+ participants and be part of the only place to be in May for the nut and dried fruit industry. [Register now]
Accommodation nearly sold out: Limited rooms remain at the Andaz Macao 5★ with exclusive INC rates. The JW Marriott 5★ is already sold out. [Book now]
INC Golf Tournament, May 11: Start the Congress with a round of golf and networking with peers at the Macao International Golf Club. [Reserve now]
Download the Social Media Kit and Share Your INC Congress Participation!
Get the Social Media Congress Kit and help spread the word using #NutfruitCongress. Inside you’ll find ready-to-use materials to showcase your participation and connect with professionals from across the global nut and dried fruit industry, including an email signature, editable posts, suggested captions, and simple guidelines to make sharing quick and easy. Join the conversation and help build the buzz! [Download now]
Check Out the Latest Issue of Nutfruit Magazine!
The latest issue of Nutfruit is now live on the INC website! Dive in to discover how the INC is advancing key initiatives in health research, sustainability, and promoting consumption, and whet your appetite for this year’s INC Congress in Macao. In the Feature Articles section, you can read about Türkiye’s strategy to combat the brown marmorated stink bug, a first report on crop management strategies to control aflatoxins in Italy’s emerging peanut sector, and insights on rootstock selection in pistachio cultivation. This issue also features interviews with the team behind nut and dried fruit sourcing at the German supermarket chain Edeka, as well as Rodrigo Rivera Río, the Michelin-starred chef behind the restaurant Koli in Monterrey, Mexico. You can also learn about pecans from the USA in the latest edition of the Country/Product Spotlight and read up on the latest industry statistics in our Global Crop Update & Outlook. Download to read it now! [Read Nutfruit online]