Kerrville, Texas, Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Food Sciences, Inc. (AFS), a leading innovator in functional ingredients, announces an exclusive partnership with OleoLive, Inc. to bring a novel, high-quality olive extract ingredient, , to the global nutrition market. This strategic alliance combines AFS' expertise in market development and formulation with OleoLive’s proprietary and patented extraction technology to provide a premium, USA-based solution for brands seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for science-backed longevity and mobility ingredients.

Oligen® is the initial ingredient to emerge from this exclusive partnership, designed to capture the powerful benefits of olive polyphenols in a highly concentrated and bioavailable format.

“EVOO has long been celebrated as a symbol of vitality and health, yet the key actives, oleocanthal and oleacein, are present only in trace amounts,” said Kiley Grant, CEO at OleoLive. “Oligen® unlocks these rare compounds at scale, delivering purity, consistency, and performance never before possible. Partnering with Applied Food Sciences ensures we launch this ingredient with the strength of both innovation and market expertise, guided by our shared commitment to quality and a vision of making these unique polyphenols more accessible than ever before.”

"We are incredibly excited to partner with OleoLive to introduce Oligen® to the nutrition space," said Chris Fields, Chief Science Officer at Applied Food Sciences. "What sets this partnership and ingredient apart is the patented process behind it, which allows us to deliver a superior product with a focus on quality, purity, and most importantly, efficacy. With its USA-based processing, we can ensure a stable, secure, and reliable supply chain, which enables AFS to confidently deliver on the growing demand in today’s supply-sensitive market."

The patented processing technology focuses on standardizing Oligen® to two key active polyphenolic compounds, oleocanthal and oleacein, which contribute to a host of functional benefits. As effective COX-2 inhibitors, Oligen® is ideal for promoting joint health by supporting a healthy inflammatory response. Oleocanthal and oleacein also have benefits for heart health and longevity, making Oligen® an attractive ingredient for healthy aging formulas. With its fast onset and high bioavailability, Oligen® has an advantage over other botanical ingredients as it delivers rapid results without requiring expensive enhancers or specialty delivery systems.

About Applied Food Sciences: (AFS) is a leader in the development and marketing of innovative, functional ingredients for the food, beverage, and dietary supplement industries. Based in Kerrville, Texas, AFS specializes in creating science-backed, clean-label solutions that support a wide range of health and wellness applications.

About OleoLive: is a pioneer in advancing the extraction of high-quality, polyphenol-rich ingredients from the olive plant in olive-derived extracts. With a focus on sustainable and proprietary extraction techniques, OleoLive is committed to providing premium, natural ingredients that harness the full health potential of the olive fruit.

To learn more about Oligen® and inform your R&D team about this new ingredient for joint care and healthy aging, inquire at . Attendees visiting SupplySide Global can visit AFS for product demonstrations and samples at Booth #5730 on October 29–30, 2025, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.

Regina, Saskatchewan, October 7, 2025 – The Canadian food and beverage manufacturing sector has faced slower-than-expected growth in the first half of 2025, with sales and margins experiencing pressure given the challenging trade and economic environment. According to Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) , the sector saw a modest sales increase of 0.8 per cent in the first half of the year, but this momentum is not expected to hold, with a projected 0.3 per cent decline in the second half.

After a promising start to 2025, food and beverage manufacturers are beginning to feel the pinch of trade disruptions. FCC Economics now forecasts overall sales growth for 2025 to be restricted to just 0.2 per cent, down from the April projection of 0.6 per cent. If this holds, it will mark the lowest annual growth for the sector since 2005.

While the vast majority of Canadian food and beverage products continue to enter the U.S. market tariff-free, it’s far from business as usual for Canadian exporters. Canadian businesses must ensure thorough documentation to demonstrate compliance with CUSMA regulations, adding complexity to the trade landscape. As a result, overall food exports to the U.S. are down in 2025 and uncertainty is hurting businesses investments. 

Much of the sales growth seen so far is price-driven: sales are slowly trending up because of price increases, while the volume of goods sold is declining. Sectors with higher reliance on export markets faced more headwinds than those selling primarily into the domestic market. For example, dairy products and meat product manufacturing showed positive sales early in the year while grain and oilseed milling faced significant challenges early on due to tariffs and biofuel policy uncertainty.

“The first half of 2025 has been a test of resilience for our industry,” said Amanda Norris, FCC senior economist. “Despite the challenges, we have seen some sectors show remarkable strength, driven by sales diversification.”

There is cautious optimism for 2026, with expectations of stabilizing or even falling input prices, particularly for grains and oilseeds. The job vacancy rate in food and beverage manufacturing fell to 2.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, the lowest for the same period since 2015, indicating a larger pool of available workers.

There is also one potential bright spot so far this year and that is an uptick in per capita Canadian household expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages in both the first and second quarter of 2025. This is a positive development given the earlier concern that slower population growth would cap demand for food and beverages.

A continued strong demand for non-alcoholic beverages including energy drinks with new flavour profiles and functional ingredients is a longer-term trend and that momentum is expected to continue into 2026.

“Looking ahead to 2026, we are optimistic about the potential for recovery,” said Norris. “A modest rebound in sales, paired with stabilizing or even falling input prices are positive signs that we can build on to drive growth and profitability.”

Building a stronger Canadian economy can open up interprovincial trade opportunities for food and beverage and capitalize on Canadians’ appetite for domestic products, as mentioned in an FCC report titled 

Las Vegas, Oct. 2 – Las Vegas was bustling with energy this week, not from the bright neon signs, casino floors, or thrilling show performances, but from the sights and sounds of the latest, ground-breaking packaging and processing technologies. New materials and machinery featuring robotics, AI, and automation technologies, to name a few, filled four halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center for .

Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, the largest and most comprehensive packaging and processing show this year, showed no signs of slowing down bringing together over 30,000 attendees and 20,000 exhibitor personnel for a total of 50,000 packaging and processing professionals in attendance. With over 2,300 exhibitors displaying the latest innovations across a record-breaking 1,000,000 net square feet of space, it was the biggest show floor since its debut 30 years ago.

“The scale and energy of PACK EXPO Las Vegas this year reflect how fast our industry is advancing,” says Jim Pittas, president & CEO, PMMI. “From AI and robotics to next-generation sustainability, the technologies on display aren’t just meeting today’s needs, they’re driving the growth, efficiency, and innovation that will define packaging and processing for the next 30 years.”

Packaging and processing professionals from 40+ vertical markets came together to find solutions to the industry’s biggest challenges. The show appealed to both first-time attendees and seasoned veterans.

First-time attendee Randall Hopkins, a maintenance technician at East West Tea Co. LLC, was impressed. “At PACK EXPO Las Vegas, we are discovering solutions we didn't even know existed. The show provides so much inspiration that could improve our operations,” Hopkins says. 

From sustainability breakthroughs to automation, attendees came ready with game plans.

“We're always seeking improvements, and value connecting with industry experts at PACK EXPO,” reports Tedd Guttmann, plant manager, Sargento Foods. “It's interesting to observe technologies in other sectors, like pharma, for potential application in our own industry. Having attended for a long time, the show is a great way to gauge shifts in the industry.”

Carly Underhill, new product development coordinator at Quality Candy, came seeking new equipment and to stay current with the latest packaging solutions. She explains, “As candy producers, we have different clients with different needs and challenges, like wrapping, PET packaging, and twist wrappers. We're also exploring formats that are more environmentally friendly. The sustainability features at the show, along with the vast array of exhibitors all in one place, have been hugely beneficial. We’ve been here for just a few hours, but already see the value in the amount of industry experts present.”

Ali Slavens, senior packaging manager, Curology, also touted the show’s focus on sustainability: “At PACK EXPO Las Vegas, we’re exploring a mix of equipment and material solutions, along with scalable ideas to improve lab automation. Show features like Sustainability Central have been especially insightful. It’s been interesting to see how the industry's definition of sustainability has evolved and apply those learnings to our own thinking.”

Slavens also found the experience helpful, especially being able to interact directly with exhibitors: “Meeting people face-to-face at PACK EXPO helps gauge customer service in a way you just can’t get from emails or cold calls. That kind of interaction is invaluable and gives me confidence in choosing the right partners.”

Exhibitors shared enthusiasm and found the return on investment priceless.

“This is our first time exhibiting at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, and it's been a great show — based on the turnout, the energy, and the conversations,” says Lindsay Bosnjak, director of marketing, Nexeo Plastics. “We've gotten a lot more booth traffic than expected and a great lead list.”

“We've had a good experience at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. We've received a lot of leads and spoken to many customers over the past two days,” says Danilo Fantini, sales area manager, Zambelli Packaging. “This show along with PACK EXPO International is always on our calendar. They are the only shows we do in the U.S., which is our main market.”

"PACK EXPO is the industry-leading show in North America. It's where we meet our customers, see new faces, and spend time with our colleagues and friends,” says Jonathan Titterton, CEO, R.A. Jones and Coesia North America. We've not only made good connections with customers and seen some fresh faces, but we're also in the middle of negotiating a sale at the show. PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2025 is extra special to our team since we celebrated R.A Jones' 120-year anniversary with a customer event and received special recognition of this milestone from PMMI."

"We've been exhibiting at PACK EXPO Las Vegas all 30 years that the show has been around. The U.S. and Mexico PACK EXPO events are very important to seeing key customers and showcasing our new innovations. This year, we had an awesome first day [Monday] where we saw heavy booth traffic, but the big highlight was securing three orders!" - Alana Brown, events manager, Syntegon.

The 100+ free educational sessions were also a source of inspiration for attendees looking for the latest expert advice on hot industry topics such as tariffs, AI, automation, robotics, sustainability, and workforce.

“The power of PACK EXPO isn’t just on the show floor — it’s in the conversations and insights shared through our education and networking events,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “Expert-led sessions and initiatives like the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network Breakfast and the Young Professionals Networking Reception give professionals the knowledge, connections, and inspiration to take back to their companies and drive real impact.”

Up next, innovation is closer than you think at PACK EXPO East 2026 (Feb. 17–19; Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia), the East Coast’s premier packaging and processing show. With 500 exhibitors, 125,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, free educational sessions, and many networking opportunities, it’s the best place in the region to jump-start your 2026 projects. Discover cutting-edge solutions, explore the latest technologies, learn from industry experts, and make valuable connections — all in a convenient, accessible location perfect for teams. Register today at .

Regina, Saskatchewan, October 2, 2025 – Canadian cultivated farmland values rose by an average of 6.0 per cent in the first half of 2025, according to the by Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

This marks a modest acceleration compared to the first half of 2024, which saw a 5.5 per cent increase. Over the 12 months from July 2024 to June 2025, there was a 10.4 per cent increase, representing a slight increase compared to the previous 12-month period (January to December 2024) with a 9.3 per cent increase.

This growth reflects a complex mix of market forces and regional dynamics, with some provinces surging ahead while others remaining flat. Manitoba led the country with an 11.2 per cent increase, followed by New Brunswick (9.4 per cent) and Alberta (6.6 per cent). Saskatchewan matched the national average at 6.0 per cent, while Quebec (2.6 per cent), Prince Edward Island (2.3 per cent), and Nova Scotia (1.0 per cent) posted modest gains. Ontario and British Columbia recorded no change, highlighting the uneven nature of the market.

Average farmland values change in the first half of 2025 by province

“Demand for farmland remained strong in the first half of the year regardless of lower commodity prices,” said J.P. Gervais, FCC’s chief economist. “Buyers continued to invest, driven by long-term confidence in the agriculture sector and the limited supply of available land. While growth is uneven across provinces, the overall trend points to promising growth opportunities in agriculture.”

Despite notable gains in certain regions, over the past six months, the overall range of sale prices per acre has increased only modestly. Provinces that experienced strong growth in recent years are now seeing a softening in farmland prices, while regions with previously more modest increases continue to see solid gains. Overall, the market appears to be stabilizing. 

Gervais noted that farm cash receipts fell 1.6 per cent in 2024, mainly due to a drop in grain and oilseed revenue, while livestock receipts rose. In early 2025, grain and oilseed receipts increased slightly, though results vary by crop and region. Looking forward, receipts for grains and oilseeds are expected to decline overall in 2025 by 6.0 per cent. Easing interest rates and healthy farm balance sheets should provide underlying support to farmland values. Yet the farm economy may reflect a more cautious environment in the second half of 2025 and 2026 when it comes to the demand for farmland.

“The interplay between interest rates, farm revenues and expenses, and constrained land availability will continue to shape the trajectory of farmland values,” Gervais added.

Grain and oilseed receipts expected to decline further