Zenith Consulting - Food, Beverage, Strategy9 Apr 2025

New U.S. Tariffs Shake EU Trade: What It Means for Agri-Food and FMCG | Ep 4

🔍 Podcast Summary:

In this episode, we explore the impact of the new 20% U.S. tariffs on European imports and the growing concern among American and European farming groups. With more than 20% of U.S. farm income tied to exports and critical EU imports under threat, we unpack the risks to agri-food supply chains, potential EU countermeasures, and what industry leaders should do now to prepare for prolonged trade disruption.

🧠 Zenith Expert View:

This isn’t just another tariff spat. It’s a direct disruptor to complex, interdependent supply chains — especially in dairy, grains, protein, and agri-inputs.

➡️ Export risk: Over 20% of U.S. farm income comes from exports. Any erosion of market access due to retaliatory measures will affect price realisation and volume throughput, particularly in high-exposure categories like cheese, milk powders, and pork.

➡️ Import inflation: EU fertiliser and ag-tech inputs are essential to many U.S. producers. Tariff-driven cost increases will pressure margins already strained by commodity volatility and high financing costs.

➡️ Market share erosion: For EU suppliers, a 20% U.S. tariff means immediate competitiveness loss — especially in commoditised categories. Rivals like Brazil (soy), New Zealand (dairy), and Canada (grains) may seize share quickly, and regaining it later is not guaranteed.

➡️ Strategic ambiguity: The European Commission is weighing counter-tariffs — but the Copa-Cogeca stance reflects the internal tension: retaliation may politically satisfy, but economically backfire.

🌐 Follow the Zenith LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zenith-global-commercial

🌐 Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠www.zenithglobalcommercial.com⁠⁠⁠

🎙️ More from Zenith

Water Dispense & Filtration Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/zenith-consulting-water-dispense/id1807719571

Soft Drinks & Innovations Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/zenith-consulting-soft-drinks-and-innovation/id1807367430

📊 Download our free European Water Dispense & Filtration demo database (€2bln industry): https://www.zenithglobalcommercial.com/demo

📞 Book a free 1-on-1 consultation call:

https://www.zenithglobalcommercial.com/book-an-appointment

Let’s explore how we can support you with:

🧀 Market data (even for cheese!)

💧 Water dispense insights (BWD / POU / ITS)

🔍 Partner search & market entry

📈 Branding & growth strategy

💦 Water source valuation

🔬 Custom market research

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(159)

How Ozempic Is Changing Magnum Ice Cream Ep158

The provided text explores how the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss medications is fundamentally altering the consumer landscape for indulgent food brands. By examining the leadership of Peter ter Kulve duri...

25 Sep 34min

The retail shelf is now software Ep157

Modern retail leaders must adapt to a landscape where the physical shelf and digital media are merging into a single, data-driven operating system. Brands can no longer rely on traditional advertising...

23 Sep 37min

How Biology Replaced the Cola Wars Ep156

The beverage industry is undergoing a significant transformation as traditional sodas shift toward functional benefits rather than just flavor. Major brands are now prioritizing prebiotic ingredients ...

21 Sep 37min

Profit Is Decided In The Van Ep155

This text explores how route density acts as the primary driver of profitability within the water dispense industry. While many businesses prioritize increasing sales volume, the author argues that mi...

18 Sep 39min

Stop building a replacement machine Ep154

This text explores the critical distinction between sustainable compounding growth and businesses that merely replace lost revenue through high-churn cycles. The author warns that rising installation ...

16 Sep 38min

Surviving the 2026 EU packaging deadline Ep153

This text highlights the urgent need for food and beverage brands to prepare for the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which becomes active in 2026. The author argues that man...

14 Sep 40min

Kraft Heinz Kills the Corporate Split Ep152

This text profiles a strategic pivot led by Steve Cahillane at Kraft Heinz, who opted to cancel a planned corporate split in favor of revitalizing the brand's foundation. Instead of focusing on financ...

11 Sep 44min

How food brands survive 2026 demand shifts Ep151

The provided text outlines three critical strategic frameworks for food and beverage leaders to navigate the industry landscape of 2026. Companies must adapt to changing consumer habits driven by weig...

9 Sep 44min