FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 04: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Could Julian Edelman really return to the New England Patriots?

The longtime Patriots star has been retired for a couple of years now, but might the veteran wide receiver be open to a return to New England?

On Monday, Bill Belichick was asked about the possibility. He didn't say no...

Belichick said that he talks with Edelman regularly. However, when it comes to a return, he deflected the question to the wide receiver.

Patriots fans would love it, though they don't think it's going to happen.

"While having Edelman would make Mac Jones a much better quarterback, this is a pipe dream," one fan tweeted.

"Lets Do It," another fan added.

"He's missing a knee," one fan said.

Edelman retired after a lengthy, physical career. While he's surely still in good shape, would he want to put his body through another NFL season?

It seems unlikely, but clearly it's something that is at least a possibility.

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NFL World Reacts To The Julian Edelman Retirement Speculation - The Spun

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FBAR Requirements For US Retirement (IRA) and Foreign Retirement

With theUS governmentstill moving full steam ahead on enforcing matters involvingforeign bank and financial account reporting(FBAR), it is important for taxpayers who may have an FBAR filing requirement to have a basic understanding of what types of foreign financial assets are reportable onFinCEN Form 114(FBAR). One common type of foreign account is a foreign pension/retirement account. For example, a taxpayer may have anAustralian Superannuation, aSingaporean CPFor aHong Kong MPF. Since oftentimes the value of these pension/retirement accounts may be substantial, it is important to understand whether or not these types of retirement accounts are reportable as well as whether US-based retirement accounts such as IRAs (that contain foreign assets) are reportable as well. Lets go through the basics of FBAR reporting for US retirement and foreign retirement accounts.

Foreign Retirement Accounts Are Reportable

The FBAR instructions and the updatedIRS Publication 5569are straightforward when it comes to reporting foreign pension accounts. When a person has a foreign pension account (such as the type of accounts indicated above), then those types of retirement accounts are considered financial accounts that are required to be disclosed on the annual FBAR.

As provided by the IRS:

Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Canadian Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), Mexican individual retirement accounts (Fondos para el Retiro) and Mexican Administradoras de Fondos para el Retiro (AFORE) are foreign financial accounts reportable on the FBAR.

US Retirement Accounts With Foreign Accounts

This is where it can get a bit complicated, due to some of the terminology used in this area of tax law. In general, a qualified retirement account such as an IRA is not reportable for FBAR purposes. This is true, even if the IRA contains foreign financial account as a pooled fund. It is also important to note that a financial account is not limited to bank accounts and can include pooled funds such as ETFs or mutual funds. Thus, if a person owns a foreign mutual fund outside of the US pension plan, then that type of account is reportable, but if the pooled fund is held within a qualified US retirement plan such as an IRA, then it is not reportable. In other words, as long as the foreign account or fund is held within a qualified retirement plan, then the specific foreign asset contained in the qualified plan does not need to be segregated and reported on the FBAR.

As provided by the IRS:

The following persons are excepted from the FBAR filing requirement:

Missed Reporting Retirement Plan on FBAR?

If you missed reporting a foreign retirement plan on the annual FBAR, there are very safe methods for getting into compliance depending on your specific facts and circumstances. This type of reporting of late disclosure is referred to asOffshore Amnestyand you should speak with aBoard-Certified Tax Law Specialistwho specializesexclusivelyin this area of tax law to get an understanding of what your options are.

Originally posted here:
Are US and Foreign Retirement Accounts FBAR Reportable? - Lexology

After being eliminated from the Cincinnati tournament by Croatian player Borna Coric, Rafael Nadal expressed his sadness triggered by having to leave so soon but also left a hopeful message for next year. Thank you Cincinnati for everything.

Sad to leave soon. Hope to see you all next year! Rafael Nadal wrote on Instagram.

The fact that Nadal looks forward to the next years Cincinnati tournament shows that he looks forward to still being competitive in the ATP tour.

This motivation can help him surpass one of Roger Federers age-related records. Related: Rafael Nadal likely to surpass Federer age-related record if he wins US Open Federer is the oldest number one in ATP Tour history because he held the position when he was 36 years and 10 months old.

Yet, if he wins at US Open, Rafael Nadal can increase his chances of stealing this record from Federer. Nevertheless, to achieve the feat, Rafael Nadal needs to be number one beginning with May 2023 because only then the Spaniard will be 36 years and 11 months old.

With him being kicked out of Cincinnati in the first round, its unsure whether Nadal will be in the best shape to win a Grand Slam. The Spaniard experienced an early Cincinnati loss after returning from an abdominal injury, leaving Ohio with no points.

Rafa experienced a 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 loss to Borna Coric in two hours and 51 minutes for his second consecutive defeat at this event following the 2017 quarter-final. Nadal, however, knew that he was going to have a hard time at Cincinnati.

"At the beginning it will be complicated, but it is normal, we have to accept the difficulties. At these levels if you come back after a rather long period of time and an injury it is not always easy to find the rhythm. The level is very high and I hope to be ready for Wednesday," said Nadal.

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Rafael Nadal sends hopeful message on retirement ahead of US Open - Tennis World USA

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2022 --- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced details of the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) $300 million investment, including with American Rescue Plan funds, in a new Organic Transition Initiative that will help build new and better markets and streams of income for farmers and producers. Organic production allows producers to hold a unique position in the marketplace and thus take home a greater share of the food dollar.

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the number of non-certified organic farms actively transitioning to organic production dropped by nearly 71 percent since 2008. Through the comprehensive support provided by this initiative USDA hopes to reverse this trend, opening opportunities for new and beginning farmers and expanding direct consumer access to organic foods through increased production.

The initiative will deliver wrap-around technical assistance, including farmer-to-farmer mentoring; provide direct support through conservation financial assistance and additional crop insurance assistance, and support market development projects in targeted markets.

Farmers face challenging technical, cultural, and market shifts while transitioning to organic production, and even during the first years after successful organic certification, said Vilsack. Through this multi-phased, multi-agency initiative, we are expanding USDAs support of organic farmers to help them with every step of their transition as they work to become certified and secure markets for their products.

USDAs Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Risk Management Agency (RMA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are the primary agencies supporting the Initiative, which will focus on three areas.

Transition to Organic Partnership Program

Through this initiative, USDA aims to ensure that farmers transitioning to organic have the support they need to navigate that transition, including a full supply chain to American consumers who demand organic choices in their supermarkets daily. AMS will build partnership networks in six regions across the United States with trusted local organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities. The organizations will connect transitioning farmers with mentors, building paid mentoring networks to share practical insights and advice. Each regional team will also provide community building, including train-the-mentor support; as well as technical assistance, workshops, and field days covering topics including organic production practices, certification, conservation planning, business development (including navigating the supply chain), regulations, and marketing to help transitioning and recently transitioned producers overcome technical, cultural, and financial shifts during and immediately following certification. USDA will provide up to $100 million for this program.

Direct Farmer Assistance

NRCS will develop a new Organic Management conservation practice standard and offer financial and technical assistance to producers who implement the practice. Payments will be modeled on those already available to producers meeting the existing nutrient and pest management conservation practice standards. USDA will provide $75 million for this effort. This will include an increase in organic expertise throughout its regions, creating organic experts at each of its regional technology support centers. These experts will train staff who provide direct services to USDA customers. These services include hosting hands-on organic training for state and field NRCS staff and fielding organic-related staff questions.

USDA will provide $25 million to RMA for the new Transitional and Organic Grower Assistance Program (TOGA) which will support transitioning and certain certified organic producers participation in crop insurance, including coverage of a portion of their insurance premium.

Organic Pinpointed Market Development Support

Stakeholders have shared that specific organic markets have market development risks due to inadequate organic processing capacity and infrastructure, a lack of certainty about market access, and insufficient supply of certain organic ingredients. This AMS initiative will focus on key organic markets where the need for domestic supply is high, or where additional processing and distribution capacity is needed for more robust organic supply chains. Examples of markets seeking support include organic grain and feed; legumes and other edible rotational crops; and livestock and dairy. USDA will invest up to $100 million to help improve organic supply chains in pinpointed markets. The Department will seek stakeholder input on these pinpointed initiatives beginning in September, resulting in an announcement of specific policy initiatives later this year.

Other USDA Organic Assistance

This USDA initiative complements existing assistance for organic producers, including FSAs Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) and Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). OCCSP helps producers obtain or renew their organic certification, and OTECP provides additional funding to certified and transitioning producers during the pandemic.

NRCS offers conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which can provide assistance to help with managing weeds and pests, and establishing high tunnels, improving soil health, and implementing other practices key to organic operations. RMA also administers federal crop insurance options available to organic producers, including Whole Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm.

The National Organic Program (NOP) is a federal regulatory program, administered by AMS, that develops and enforces consistent national standards for organically produced agricultural products sold in the United States.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming Americas food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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USDA to Invest up to $300 million in New Organic Transition Initiative - USDA.gov

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Food And Beverges Global Market Opportunities And Strategies To 2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global food and beverages market reached a value of nearly $5,818.25 billion in 2021, having grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% since 2016. The market is expected to grow from $5,818.25 billion in 2021 to $8,010.98 billion in 2026 at a rate of 6.6%. The market is then expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2026 and reach $10,406.81 billion in 2031.

Growth in the historic period resulted from an increase in clean-label, organic, and non-GMO (genetically codified organism) products, a rise in alcohol consumption, increased pet ownership by Gen Z and Gen Y adults, strong economic growth in emerging markets, influence of digital media marketing and social media, low interest rates and growing number of health-conscious consumers.

Going forward, the increasing organic food consumption, growing demand for immunity boosting foods and beverages, rising penetration of organized retail, rapid growth in ecommerce, increasing demand for premium and organic pet food, faster economic growth and food security initiatives will drive the growth. Factors that could hinder the growth of the food and beverages market in the future include complexity of acceptance and purchase intentions of consumers, climate change and global warming, a shift towards vegan eating and the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Asia Pacific was the largest region in the food and beverages market, accounting for 41.9% of the total in 2021. It was followed by Western Europe, and then the other regions. Going forward, the fastest-growing regions in the food and beverages market will be Africa, and, Middle East where growth will be at CAGRs of 13.7% and 10.6% respectively. These will be followed by Eastern Europe, and, South America where the markets are expected to grow at CAGRs of 7.0% and 6.8% respectively.

The top opportunities in the food and beverages market segmented by nature will arise in the conventional market segment, which will gain $1,888.6 billion of global annual sales by 2026. The top opportunities in the food and beverages market segmented by distribution channel will arise in the supermarkets/hypermarkets market segment, which will gain $895.4 billion of global annual sales by 2026. The food and beverages market size will gain the most in China at $295.3 billion.

Major Market Trends

Scope

Markets Covered:

1) By Type: Alcoholic Beverages; Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Grain Products; Bakery And Confectionery; Frozen, Canned And Dried Food; Dairy Food; Meat, Poultry And Seafood; Syrup, Seasoning, Oils, And General Food; Animal And Pet Food; Tobacco Products; Other Foods Products

a) By Alcoholic Beverages: Beer (Breweries); Wine And Brandy (Wineries); Spirits (Distilleries)

b) By Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Coffee And Tea; Soft Drink And Ice

c) By Grain Products: Flour; Rice And Malt; Other Grain Products

d) By Bakery And Confectionery: Sugar And Confectionery Products; Cookie, Cracker, Pasta,And Tortilla; Bread And Bakery Products; Breakfast Cereal

e) By Frozen, Canned And Dried Food: Frozen Food; Canned And Ambient Food

f) By Dairy Food Market: Milk And Butter; Cheese, Dry, Condensed, And Evaporated Dairy Products; Ice Cream And Frozen Dessert

g) By Meat, Poultry And Seafood Market: Meat Products; Poultry; Seafood

h) By Syrup, Seasoning, Oils And General Food Market: Fats And Oils; Seasoning And Dressing; Flavoring Syrup And Concentrate

i) By Animal And Pet Food Market: Animal Food; Pet Food

j) By Tobacco Products Market: Cigarettes, Cigars And Cigarillos; Smoking And Other Tobacco Products

k) By Other Foods Market: Perishable Prepared Food; Snack Food; All Other Miscellaneous Food

2) By Distribution Channel: Supermarkets/Hypermarkets; Convenience Stores; E-Commerce; Other Channels

3) By Nature: Organic; Conventional Food And Beverages

Key Topics Covered:

1. Food and Beverages Market Executive Summary

2. Table of Contents

3. List of Figures

4. List of Tables

5. Report Structure

6. Introduction and Market Characteristics

7. Product/Service Analysis -Product/Service Examples

8. Supply Chain Analysis

9. Customer Information

10. Major Market Trends

11. Impact Of COVID-19 On The Market

12. Global Market Size And Growth

13. Food and Beverages Market, Regional Analysis

14. Global Food and Beverages Market Segmentation

15. Food And Beverages Market Segments

16. Global Food and Beverages Market Comparison with Macro Economic Factors

17. Asia-Pacific Market

18. Western Europe Market

19. Eastern Europe Market

20. North America Market

21. South America Market

22. Middle East Market

23. Africa Market

24. Competitive Landscape And Company Profiles

25. Key Mergers and Acquisitions In The Market

26. Global Food and Beverages Market Opportunities And Strategies

27. Food And Beverages Market, Conclusions And Recommendations

28. Appendix

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/l9fobr

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Food And Beverges Global Market Report 2022: Increasing Organic Food Consumption, Growing Demand for Immunity Boosting Foods and Beverages &...

GRAND RAPIDS, MI Whole Foods Market, a natural and organic foods grocery store chain, opened its first West Michigan store last week at 2897 Radcliff Ave. SE. in Kentwood.

I will be here probably every week, maybe a little more often now that I see theres a whole kitchen, said Michelle Taveras, of Grand Rapids, who attended the Aug. 17 grand opening with her husband, Ruben.

Related: Shoppers really excited as West Michigans first Whole Foods Market opens near Grand Rapids

The 45,400-square-foot store has more than 200 products from Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin, plus full-service meat and seafood counters, artisan cheeses, fresh-baked bread, food and salad bars, and a full-service coffee bar.

Taveras picked up salads, pastas, empanadas and veggies from the hot bar.

The new store, open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, is located just off 28th Street SE near Woodland Mall, was packed on Wednesday. The Austin, Texas-based chain is owned by Amazon and the Kentwood location is the eighth Whole Foods Market in Michigan. Other locations are in East Lansing, Ann Arbor, and metro Detroit.

I think a lot of people, especially in Grand Rapids, are realizing the importance of locally-sourced and better quality food, said Sydnee Ruger, of Wayland, who was at the store with her husband and two sons.

31

Whole Foods Market opens in West Michigan

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Consumer demand for organic fruits and vegetables was already on the rise before March 2020 and the craving for fresh produce surged even more after the pandemic hit and peoples focus on health and wellness shifted into overdrive.

Sales of both organic and conventional produce soared in the second quarter of 2020, growing by double digits in both dollar value and volume, fueled both by new concerns about healthy eating and the panic buying that defined the start of the pandemic.

Now, inflation has consumers making tougher choices in the grocery store and rising prices have become a factor in decisions shoppers make in the produce aisle, especially when deciding between organic and conventional fruits and vegetables.

But, while the volume of organic produce sales dipped slightly in the second quarter of this year from the year-ago period, sales measured by dollar value were up 3.7%, according to the Organic Produce Networks Organic Produce Performance Report, which analyzed retail sales data compiled by Nielsen. The report covered sales in a range of retail channels including supermarkets, convenience and dollar stores and mass merchants.

The findings indicate that budget-conscious shoppers made tougher choices in both organic and conventional produce purchases amid rising prices sales of organic produce by volume declined 2.8% while the conventional category fell 2%.

Organic produce sales have been rising steadily in the past decade or so. In its most recent Organic Farming survey, the USDA reported a 27% increase in sales of organic vegetables grown in the open between 2016 and 2019, a 44% jump in sales of fruits and tree nuts and a 49% rise in sales of vegetables grown under protective covering and indoors.

The next USDA survey is due out this December and its likely to reflect further increases in the 2019 report, 29% of farmers surveyed said they planned to increase production of organic produce.

Another report, this one from The Hartman Group, found that 60% of consumers surveyed reported buying organic fresh produce in the past three months, and the report also reflected consumers growing interest in organic foods in other categories including plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.

Inflation has driven up prices throughout the produce section. Average prices for conventional fruits and vegetables grew 9.2% to $1.71 per pound, while organic, which started from a higher price point, rose 6.7% to $3.22 per pound, according to the OPN report.

The increases reflect the fact that prices for some organic products surged while others grew more modestly. For example, the average price of organic avocados grew more than 20% in the second quarter from the year-ago period, resulting in a 6% increase in sales by dollars while volumes fell 13.5%.

Conversely, sales of organic bananas, the lowest priced fruit in the category, grew 4% by volume and 8% by dollar amount. Additionally, sales of blackberries, the only organic fruit that saw a price decrease, rose 28% by volume and 27.6% by dollars.

The seal we know today that signifies produce that meets the standards for USDA organic certification began in 1990 when Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act with the goal of setting national standards for organically produced food. Until then, the word organic didnt really have an official definition or any rules about when it could be used to market products.

According to the USDA Produce can be called organic if its certified to have grown on soil that had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest. Prohibited substances include most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

The rulemaking process took more than a decade and the final rule took effect in October 2002. After that, growers and food producers that wanted to use the certified organic label had to qualify for certification by an accredited third-party certifier.

The Organic Produce Networks report covers the quarter through May, which ended just as farmers market season was getting underway in many parts of the country. Farmers markets, which werent covered by the report, feed demand for local produce and are often a more affordable option for stretching grocery budgets during the season.

Farmers selling certified organic produce at seasonal markets have become more common, but its also not rare to find farmers selling fruits and vegetables grown using organic practices without the certification.

Earning certification can be an expensive process and, during the three years of transitioning fields, crops grown in those fields cant use the organic label. Still, the farmers that grew the crops can take them to local farmers markets and connect with consumers interested in where their food comes from and how its grown.

And, as inflation continues to drive up grocery prices, local farmers markets are also becoming more attractive to cash-strapped consumers looking to keep healthy produce in their diets.

I know a lot of people before would say that shopping at the farmers market was more expensive than the grocery store, but now those prices are getting a little closer, registered dietitian Adante Hart told CNBC earlier this summer.

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How inflation is affecting decisions in the produce aisle - Smartbrief

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Functional food Ingredients Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2022 to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global functional food ingredients market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5 %. Technological advancement in food and beverage sector has led to healthy growth in this sector. Functional foods and beverages are those that provide an additional health benefit to the consumer beyond basic nutrition.

There is increasing demand for functional food across the globe. The change in lifestyle, rise in income levels and adoption of healthy consumption are the key factors of the functional food ingredients market. The functional food inhibits disease preventing, health boosting properties which in turn provide them with wide range of applications. The increase in health awareness among the people across globe tends to be the key driver in the market. Key applications of functional food are food and beverages, personal care, pharmaceuticals, animal feed. The functional food market is expected to grow in future as there is trend of organic products.

Increase in Consumption of Nutritious Food Drives the Market

There is tremendous rise in consumption of nutritious food products to ensure good health. The natural and organic food items are largely dominated by the market. The rise in demand has increased from past few decades, the diet food has also attracted the healthy consumers across various regions. The weight loss or management is a health benefit consumers are interested in getting from foods. About one-third of Americans listed increased energy, cardiovascular health, healthy aging or digestive health by use of functional food. In 2021 the global launches of functional food grew by 7.7 %. The pandemic has increased the social awareness of healthy consumption of food and beverages.

The change in lifestyle now includes consumption of healthy food by ensuring weight management, fresh mood and sufficient amount of protein intake. One of the biggest functional categories that we expect food and beverages to incorporate more in 2021 is those with a focus on mental health and mood modifying ingredients. We also expect repositioning around food and beverages that are not always deemed healthy for example, beers for running, hard seltzers, and fermented foods that provide probiotic benefits.

High Cost Restricting the Growth of the Market

The development of functional food is complex, expensive and uncertain. However various efforts are made by research and innovation departments in companies to assure cost efficient production. Technology used and high demand of functional food are key factors for driving the market. There is continuous investment on research and development to improve the market. The consumer needs have an increase in demand for past few years. The market is expected to grow if there is success in cost efficient methods. Instead of high cost there is high demand, this will drive the market in case of low cost products.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Preface

2. Executive Summary

3. Functional food Ingredients Market: Business Outlook & Market Dynamics

4. Functional food Ingredients Market: By Type, 2020-2030, USD (Million)

5. Functional food Ingredients Market: By Benefits, 2020-2030, USD (Million)

6. Functional food Ingredients Market: By Application, 2020-2030, USD (Million)

7. North America Functional food Ingredients Market, 2020-2030, USD (Million)

8. UK and European Union Functional food Ingredients Market, 2020-2030, USD (Million)

9. Asia Pacific Functional food Ingredients Market, 2020-2030, USD (Million)

10. Latin America Functional food Ingredients Market, 2020-2030, USD (Million)

11. Middle East and Africa Functional food Ingredients Market, 2020-2030, USD (Million)

12. Company Profile

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fzhhml

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Functional food Ingredients Market Report 2022: Increase in Consumption of Nutritious Food Driving Growth - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire

The city of Rio de Janeiro is working with local favelas to build what organizers say will be the biggest urban garden in the world as part of a government-funded initiative known as Hortas Cariocas, intended to popularize the consumption of organic produce and provide a source of income to disadvantaged families.

Once completed, the urban garden will span several surrounding favelas connected by a green strip of land alongside the Madureira Mestre Monarco Park, located in the north zone of the city, including the communities of Cajueiro, Palmeirinha, Serrinha, Buriti, and Faz-Quem-Quer. The green corridor will be formed between the communities of Madureira and Guadalupe. When the expansion is finished, the garden will be as large as 15 soccer fields.

Up to 100,000 families will eventually benefit from the project every month, according to Julio Cesar Barros, the founder of Hortas Cariocas and director of agroecology organic gardening for Rio de Janeiros municipal environment agency.

Making organic food more affordable and accessible is one of the main drivers of the project, Barros said. The result of our project is not to have a beautiful garden, Barros said. A beautiful garden is a consequence of our work. The result of our production is to see how many plates of food we are able to serve.

Read the complete article at http://www.bloomberg.com.

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Brazil aims to build the world's biggest urban garden by 2024 - hortidaily.com

By Hilary Schmidt, International Banker

As the world continues to deal with the grim spectre of surging inflation this year, countries worldwide are scrambling to contain runaway prices whilst also attempting to prevent their economies from entering deep recessionary territory. Few sectors have experienced more pronounced price appreciationand contributed more significantly to the global inflation frenzythan food. Whether agricultural commodities, food and beverage products, or even ancillary industries such as food-processing equipment, it has undeniably been a year for investors to broaden their exposures to the food sector.

The most direct way to gain exposure to the food sector is to invest directly in agricultural commodities. This can be done by identifying a specific commodity and investing in futures contracts of said commodity. Or, as is more common these days, one can participate in a fund with exposure to a broader range of agricultural products. The Elements Linked to Rogers International Commodity Index-Agriculture Total Return (RJA), for instance, is an exchange-traded note (ETN) that tracks the performance of the Rogers International Commodity IndexAgriculture Total Return, a well-known index representing the weighted value of a basket of 20 of the most liquid agricultural commodity futures contracts. It is also a sub-index of the broader Rogers International Commodity Index.

The fund was launched in 2007, and as of the end of July, it could claim almost $190 million in assets under management (AUM), which places it at the smaller end. Nonetheless, this ETN has performed solidly year-to-date, generating more than 8 percent gains, while its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are all spectacular, at 20.2 percent, 77.9 percent and 52.8 percent, respectively. The funds largest constituents are wheat (20.06 percent), corn (13.61 percent), cotton 11.60 percent, soybean (8.60 percent) and coffee (5.73 percent).

But theres no denying that the commodities asset class is often highly volatileseldom more clearly demonstrated than in 2022, it must be addedmeaning that terrifying lows can swiftly follow dizzying highs. As such, investors seeking more stability in performance can also invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that focus on food and beverage companies, the performances of which typically do not fluctuate as wildly as that of underlying agricultural commodities.

The Invesco Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ) is one such fundindeed, it is the oldest dedicated food ETF. It invests at least 90 percent of its total assets in the Dynamic Food & Beverage Intellidex Index, comprising securities of 30 US food and beverage companies. These companies are principally engaged in manufacturing, selling or distributing food and beverage products, agricultural products and products related to developing new food technologies. The fund and index are rebalanced and reconstituted quarterly in February, May, August and November.

PBJ thus offers a lower-risk equity-investment option to investors than agricultural commodities, as demonstrated by the funds performance over the years. Year-to-date performance stands at 1.7 percent, while 1-year (11.2 percent), 3-year (11.3 percent), 5-year (8.3 percent) and 10-year (10.1 percent) are all more than respectable. Its holdings represent a fairly equal mix of small-cap, mid-cap and large-cap companies, as well as a mostly even division between growth, blend and value stocks. Fund allocations are also relatively more even among its holdings than other food ETFs, with General Mills (5.5 percent), Keurig Dr Pepper (5.4 percent), Sysco Corp (5.3 percent), Hershey Co (5.2 percent) and PepsiCo (5.1 percent) the companies with the largest weightings.

Or, if mature food companies dont interest investors for one reason or another, they also have the opportunity to expand their horizons and target a more supplementary aspect of the gigantic food ecosystem. For instance, one might be more interested in companies engaged in agricultural activity, thus almost combining many of the desirable qualities of both the aforementioned RJA and PBJ fundsthe early-stage, upstream food-industry exposure of the former and the equity (rather than commodity) returns of the latter.

The VanEck Agribusiness ETF (MOO) provides just such exposure. The fund tracks the performance of the MVIS Global Agribusiness Index, which comprises companies involved in agri-chemicals; animal health; fertilizers; seeds and traits; farm and irrigation equipment and farm machinery; aquaculture and fishing; livestock; cultivation and plantations (including grain, oil palms, sugar cane, tobacco leaves, grapevines, etc.); and trading of agricultural products.

Currently, the fund invests in 52 companies, more than half based in the United States. Germany, Canada, Japan, Chile, Norway, China, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia make up the rest of the top 10 locations. Perhaps even more surprising is the diversity in sector exposure with Materials (32.5 percent), Consumer Staples (30.4 percent), Industrials (19.3 percent) and Health Care (17.8 percent) the principal constituents.

And with $1.6 billion in assets under management (nearly $0.5 billion of which has flooded in since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in late February), MOO is amongst the largest food/agriculture ETFs in the space. Its near-term performance has been rather mixed, with the month of July enjoying 6.3 percent gains, while three-month and year-to-date performances have been less impressive, at -6.8 percent and -3.7 percent, respectively. Longer-term returns have been solid, however, with 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year all positive, at 1.34 percent, 12.62 percent, 11.63 percent and 8.34 percent, respectively.

Given the importance investors place on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when deciding on which asset classes and investment products they seek to fund in todays markets, VanEck has also recently launched its Sustainable Future of Food UCITS ETF (VEGI). Eligible companies for the fund must meet certain ESG standards related to food and agriculture sustainability and safety. According to VanEck, this fund invests in the businesses pioneering new ways to feed a global population of eight billion and rising primarily by:

The fund tracks the MVIS Global Future of Food ESG Index, which comprises the largest and most liquid companies offering products and services related to meat and dairy alternatives, organic foods, food flavours and innovative agriculture technologies. This includes firms with at least 50 percent of their revenues from plant-based or cultured meat, protein or dairy alternatives; vertical or urban farming; precision agriculture, including companies involved with irrigation and smart water grid equipment; greenhouse equipment; autonomous and robotic farming; or agriculture-related equipment. But it excludes agricultural chemicals and plant seeds; food flavours and functional ingredients; and organic or health foods.

Currently, VEGI holds a portfolio of 35 companies, with US multinational ingredient provider Ingredion given the largest weighting (7.7 percent), followed by Canadian dairy firm Saputo (5.4 percent), Irish food company Kerry Group (5.0 percent), US packed-bakery food company Flowers Foods (4.6 percent) and US specialty-performance ingredients firm Balchem Corp (4.6 percent).

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The Best Ways to Invest in the Food Sector - International Banker