AGP Executive Report

Brazilian Wine Trade: Italian wineries Santa Venere and Villa Caviciana are promoting wines from Calabria and Lazio in Brazil, seeking stronger ties with importers, distributors and consumers. Market Expansion: Shake Shack plans to enter Brazil in 2027, adding a major U.S. burger chain to the country’s competitive dining market. Food Heritage: Paraguay’s traditional burnt cocido drink has been officially recognized as cultural heritage. Market Access: El Salvador’s Trade Expo 2026 is connecting local products with U.S. and other international markets. Food Policy: Ecuador is stepping up efforts to keep industrial trans fats off store shelves. Wine Tourism: Chile’s Concha y Toro wine experience was named South America’s leading wine tourism attraction at the World Travel Awards. Venezuela’s Food Plan: Delcy Rodríguez announced the Venezuela Alimenta Plan and a local-economy bill at the FAO.

Retail Payments: MTS has launched QR-code payments in Colombia and Argentina, letting users pay at supermarkets, restaurants and other merchants from ruble accounts. Argentina Prices: September inflation rose to 1.9%, with food and non-alcoholic beverages up 2%; annual inflation reached 33.4%. Culinary Spotlight: Colombian chef María Cecilia Restrepo won an international cooking contest in Turkey with a dish inspired by Caribbean street-food stalls. Market Expansion: Shake Shack plans to enter Brazil in 2027, while delivery platform Keeta has tripled its coverage in the country. Food Policy: Ecuador is pushing to keep industrial trans fats off store shelves, and Chile is seeking a market for premium farmed turbot. Local Products: El Salvador’s trade expo is connecting domestic producers with U.S. and other international markets; Paraguay has recognized its traditional burnt cocido drink as cultural heritage.

Wine Tourism: Chile’s Centro del Vino Concha y Toro was named South America’s leading tourism winery for 2026, recognized by international voters for its wine, culture and heritage experience. Food Policy: Venezuela announced its Alimenta Plan and a bill focused on the local economy at the FAO; details of the measures were not provided. Jamaica’s Food Business: Wilson Look Kin, founder of the Kendel food and beverage brand, has died aged 82. He began the business with a small shop in downtown Kingston before building a major Caribbean brand. Brazil Delivery: Meituan’s Keeta has tripled its coverage in Brazil as it grows beyond its initial food-delivery footprint. Chile Aquaculture: Chile is seeking a market for premium farmed turbot, aiming to build demand for the fish. Food Safety: Ecuador is working to keep industrial trans fats off store shelves, a policy effort with implications for food producers.

Peru Gastronomy: Peru was named South America’s Leading Culinary Destination for the 13th time at the 2026 World Travel Awards, alongside five other regional honors that bolster its food-tourism profile. Venezuela Food Policy: President Delcy Rodríguez announced the Venezuela Alimenta Plan to link food production and said a proposed local-economy law would support community and agrifood businesses. Brazil Expansion: Shake Shack plans to open 40 restaurants in Brazil by 2036 through local partner Bold Hospitality, while delivery platform Keeta has tripled its coverage in the country. Chile Seafood: Chile is seeking a market for premium farmed turbot, an effort to build value in its aquaculture sector. Wine Tourism: Chile’s Concha y Toro Wine Center was named South America’s leading wine-tourism experience. Food Safety: Jamaica’s Bureau of Standards and Best Dressed Chicken are partnering on food-safety training for restaurant workers.

Delivery Competition: Meituan’s Keeta has expanded in Brazil from 11 cities to 32, reporting 83,000 registered restaurants and 430,000 delivery partners as it invests in local operations and technology. Premium Seafood: Chile is seeking to build a market for premium farmed turbot, adding a higher-value product to its aquaculture sector. Barbados Dining: The Atlantis Historic Inn plans to unveil a renovated restaurant, Lime, in November. Its menu will spotlight local produce and seafood, including Bajan flying fish. Food Policy: Ecuador is stepping up efforts to keep industrial trans fats off store shelves. Food Safety: Jamaica’s Bureau of Standards and Best Dressed Chicken are partnering on food-safety training.

Mexican Produce Safety: Taylor Farms will suspend iceberg lettuce harvesting and processing in Central Mexico for the U.S. and Canada during Cyclospora season. The FDA is expanding lab testing and work with Mexican officials, though the outbreak’s source remains unknown. Ecuador Food Policy: Ecuador is stepping up efforts to keep industrial trans fats off store shelves. Brazil Restaurant Expansion: Shake Shack is entering Brazil with local partner Bold Hospitality as the restaurant sector consolidates. Ecuadorian Seafood: ProEcuador is seeking new markets for the country’s growing shrimp industry. Cuban Agriculture: Italy and Cuba are strengthening cooperation on sustainable pineapple and avocado production.

Seafood Supply Chains: A five-year investigation into farmed fish found supply chains linked to forced labor, harmful chemicals and waste, raising calls for greater transparency across the global seafood trade. Colombian Food Culture: Bogotá’s Placeres magazine launched its second issue and plans to publish quarterly from January, bringing gastronomy together with travel and culture. Caribbean Food Safety: CARPHA and the region’s National Coordinating Centre are strengthening food-safety readiness for Carnival. Jamaican Tourism: Dunn’s River Falls plans to keep discounted admission for Jamaican residents as it prepares a major upgrade that would add food, cultural events and overnight stays. Cuba’s Hotel Sector: State-owned Gaviota has kept nearly 90% of its more than 30,000 rooms closed, underscoring the depth of the island’s tourism crisis. Ecuadorian Regulation: Ecuador is working to keep industrial trans fats off food shelves. Brazilian Agriculture: Strong Chinese demand is boosting Brazil’s sorghum exports. Restaurant Expansion: Shake Shack is partnering with Bold Hospitality to enter Brazil.

Food Safety: CARPHA and Trinidad and Tobago’s National Carnival Commission trained more than 200 vendors preparing to serve food at Carnival 2027, focusing on hygiene and foodborne-illness prevention. Food Security: A Caribbean investment roundtable in Trinidad and Tobago highlighted opportunities across farming, transport, cold storage and ports as the country seeks to cut a food import bill exceeding US$1 billion a year. Nutrition Rules: Ecuador is working to keep industrial trans fats off food shelves, a significant test of the region’s efforts to improve food standards. Trade and Supply: Chinese demand is boosting Brazil’s sorghum exports, while Brazil plans to import up to 100,000 tonnes of premium Angus and Hereford beef. Poultry Standards: Jamaica’s Bureau of Standards and Best Dressed Chicken are partnering on food-safety training for the poultry sector.

Bar Scene: Cartagena’s Alquímico ranked No. 3 on the 2026 World’s 50 Best Bars list, putting Colombia’s cocktail scene among the global leaders. Food Policy: Ecuadorian health advocates are pressing for stronger action against industrial trans fats, which can occur in products such as margarine, cookies and fried foods. Restaurant Expansion: Shake Shack has entered Brazil as the country’s restaurant sector consolidates. Seafood Trade: Ecuador is seeking new export markets as its shrimp industry grows. Meat Supply: Brazil could import up to 100,000 tonnes of premium Angus and Hereford beef. Caribbean Business: Prestige Holdings reported a profit decline to $37.5 million, with foreign-exchange losses cited as a factor.

Brazilian Costs: September inflation reached 0.82%, with food among the groups adding upward pressure—a concern for food and beverage operators managing input costs. Ecuadorian Shrimp: As the industry expands, ProEcuador is seeking new export markets, according to a recent industry report. Brazil Expansion: Shake Shack is entering Brazil through a partnership with Bold Hospitality, adding to restaurant-sector consolidation. Caribbean Business: Prestige Holdings’ profit fell to $37.5 million, with foreign-exchange effects cited as a factor. Cuba Produce: Italy and Cuba are strengthening cooperation on sustainable pineapple and avocado production.

Restaurant Pressures: Venezuelan-owned Arempas has closed three of its six Utah restaurants; its owners say immigration enforcement has frightened customers and drained its workforce. Protein Industry: Pilgrim’s Pride has appointed advisers to review JBS N.V.’s unsolicited offer for shares it does not already own, a potential shake-up for a company with operations in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Market Expansion: Shake Shack is entering Brazil with local partner Bold Hospitality, as the country’s restaurant sector consolidates. Seafood Trade: Ecuador’s shrimp industry is growing, and ProEcuador is working to find new export markets. Caribbean Business: Prestige Holdings’ profit fell to $37.5 million. Farm Supply: Chinese demand is boosting Brazil’s sorghum exports, while drought has caused a lettuce shortage for KFC Jamaica.

Ecuadorian Seafood: Shrimp production is growing at more than 10% annually, and ProEcuador is working to find buyers as the country looks to expand capacity. Argentina’s Dining Sector: Buenos Aires restaurants face closures amid financial strain, with one venue also shut over a waste-sorting violation. Brazil Expansion: Shake Shack is entering Brazil through a partnership with Bold Hospitality. Grain Trade: Chinese demand is boosting Brazil’s sorghum exports, creating another growth avenue for the country’s farm sector. Jamaica Supply Pressure: KFC Jamaica warned customers of a lettuce shortage linked to drought, a reminder of climate risks for food supply.

PepsiCo: Third-quarter revenue rose 5.6% to $25.27 billion, with strong international snack demand; the company said it gained share in Brazil. Brazilian Agriculture: Chinese demand is boosting Brazil’s sorghum exports, while the country is set to import as much as 100,000 tonnes of premium Angus and Hereford beef, signaling shifting trade flows for producers and meat suppliers. Food Delivery: Keeta added 21 launches in Brazil, expanding to 32 cities and reaching 10 million app downloads as competition for restaurant orders intensifies. Mexico Retail: The Mexican Healthy Products Summit is set to connect global brands with the country’s retail market.

Brazilian Grain Trade: Chinese demand is driving a new export channel for Brazilian sorghum. Brazil could ship up to 2 million tonnes this year, while rail operator VLI expects to move 800,000 to 1 million tonnes after building dedicated handling capacity. Meat Imports: Brazil is set to import as much as 100,000 tonnes of premium Angus and Hereford beef, a notable development for regional meat trade. Food Safety: U.S. investigators found Cyclospora at a Taylor Farms lettuce operation in Mexico and a nearby drainage ditch, linking the findings to an outbreak and keeping attention on produce controls and supply-chain risks.

Brazil Delivery: Meituan’s Keeta is expanding into 21 more Brazilian cities, bringing its coverage to 32 and app downloads to 10 million. Beer Market: Constellation Brands beat quarterly earnings estimates, but investors questioned whether beer sales growth reflects consumer demand or distributor restocking; World Cup off-premise sales also fell short of industry expectations. Puerto Rico Flavors: Harina y Chocolate Cortés and cookie maker Dough have launched two permanent cookies inspired by the island’s hot chocolate and quesito traditions. Brazilian Beef: Brazil imports 80,000–100,000 tonnes of premium beef a year, including sirloin, tenderloin and rump, despite its position as a major producer and exporter. Culinary Tourism: Casa de Campo’s food and wine festival returns to the Dominican Republic this weekend, pairing local ingredients and chefs with international talent. Paraguay Barbecue: Asunción will host the 2028 Ancestral Barbecue World Championship, with organizers expecting about 80 teams and more than 1,000 foreign visitors.

RTD Spirits Deal: Constellation Brands agreed to buy SpikedAde for $75M upfront plus up to $278M in performance-based payments, betting on the fast-growing spirit-based “Ade” zero-sugar, 100-calorie RTD segment. On-Premise & Events: Ochsner LSU Health’s Eat Fit program is partnering with Shreveport-Bossier’s Red River Revel to flag healthier menu options with an orange seal, aiming to keep festival favorites while adding nutrition-friendly choices. Local Food Retail Compliance: Florida’s Paddock Market ordered five businesses to close over unlicensed activity, including a Colombian Bakery stall lacking required water and sewer connections—highlighting how permitting gaps can hit small food operators fast. Travel & Tourism (LATAM): Belize’s Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort was named #16 in Central America in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, reinforcing the region’s pull for food-and-experience tourism. Colombia Cycling Tourism: Cartagena is gearing up for the Oct. 9–11 Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana Fest, blending cycling, brand activations, and public-facing events to draw visitors beyond race day.