Euro Area Growth Slows to Four-Month Low as Energy Costs Push Up Input Prices

Growth in the euro area private sector slowed in October to its weakest pace in four months, according to S&P Global’s flash PMI survey published on October 23, 2026. The composite output index fell to 51.9 from 53.1 in September. Readings above 50 still indicate expansion. France’s private sector returned to contraction, while growth also […]

Fertilizer Prices Rise as Nutrien Indefinitely Shuts Its Trinidad Nitrogen Complex

Nutrien, a leading global fertilizer producer, has indefinitely shut down its nitrogen operations at the Point Lisas facility in Trinidad and Tobago. The company cited ongoing natural gas supply constraints and uncertainty. The plant had been idle since October 2025, when Nutrien halted production because of port access restrictions and the lack of reliable, economic […]

Global Food Inflation Expected to Intensify as Supply Shocks Build

Global food-price pressures are expected to intensify into 2027 as multiple supply shocks converge across agricultural and logistics markets, according to Reuters. Conflict-related shipping disruption, drought linked to El Niño, elevated fertilizer and fuel costs, and weaker currencies are pushing up the cost of producing and moving food in several regions. Disruptions around the Black […]

Container Rates Rise for a Second Week as Carriers Cut Asia-Europe Capacity

Drewry’s World Container Index rose 2% to US$4,585 per 40-foot container on October 22, 2026, its highest level in 15 weeks and the second consecutive weekly increase. Rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam rose 3% and from Shanghai to Genoa 5%. According to Drewry, carriers have announced eight blank sailings on the Asia-Europe route for next […]

October Becomes the Worst Month on Record for Ship Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz

October has been the worst month for attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waterways, according to data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, which has tracked maritime security incidents worldwide since 2017. The institute has recorded 28 confirmed and reported attacks in October and 113 since the US-Israeli […]

Intensifying El Niño Is Reshaping Rainfall Patterns for Agriculture

On World Food Day, October 16, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that an intensifying El Niño is causing major shifts in rainfall patterns, from drought to deluge. These shifts are affecting agriculture, fisheries and food production. The WMO said it has increased the climate information it provides to agriculture and other climate-sensitive sectors. This […]

US Launches Redesigned Drought Outlooks and Funds New Research on Drought Assessment

On October 15, 2026, the US National Weather Service started using redesigned monthly and seasonal US drought outlooks. The outlooks mainly serve the agriculture, water resources, fire weather and emergency management communities. The same day, NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) announced that funding had been awarded for nine new research projects to improve […]

European Parliament and Council Back Different Exemptions From Packaging Rules

On October 20, 2026, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on a proposal to simplify environmental compliance requirements for businesses, including the obligation to appoint an authorized representative for extended producer responsibility (EPR) in each EU Member State where they sell products. Parliament backed a more targeted exemption than the European Commission originally proposed, […]