Week 08.2025
Food and climate highlights on my radar!
[one topic] Egg & Dairy Crisis
Shocked as I am when ordering groceries? A massive avian flu outbreak has wiped out millions of egg-laying hens, tightening supply and sending prices soaring. Retailers are still rationing eggs, and restaurants and bakeries—who can’t just swap in flax eggs—are feeling the pinch. The government response? Not fast enough, and the consensus is that this isn’t ending soon — supply needs time to recover. Dairy is also feeling the heat. Butter prices have surged, with organic butter hitting $20 a pound in grocery stores (!!).
The bigger picture is that food prices are up 25% compared to five years ago, because of a combination of inflation and supply chain disruption. As a result, last year private label products reached a record $271 billion in sales, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous year. This growth outpaced national brands, which saw a 1% rise in the same period.
[one raise] Edacious, Safety and Nutrition
What if you could quantify food quality? That’s the bet behind Edacious, the Massachusetts-based startup that just raised $8.1 million to scale its nutrient density measurement tech. The round was led by Patagonia’s Tin Shed Ventures, a major vote of confidence in food transparency. I find it fascinating as it comes with a perfect timing with RFK’s appointment and he’s strong focus on transparency and against UPF.
The company is betting big on nutritional transparency as a market differentiator, measuring over 200 compounds vital to human health and showing how soil health, genetics, and farming practices impact nutrition. I’m interested in seeing who pays for that.
[one product] – Oatly’s Product Shakeup
Oatly says 2025 is its year for profitability — play that hinges on cost cuts and marketing. I’m worried that higher supplier costs, price pressure, and slowing category growth could make this a tough sell. But I hope I’m wrong!
What’s Out?
Asia SKU reductions – Oatly cut 70% of its product lineup in Asia, streamlining to stay efficient.
Creamer products? TikTok speculations suggest Oatly’s creamer line may have quietly disappeared from shelves.
What’s Selling?
Oatmilk is still king. Oatly’s North America segment saw a 6% revenue boost in Q2 2024, hitting $67.8M, driven by strong foodservice demand.
New launches: Unsweetened Oatmilk & Super Basic Oatmilk. Leaning into the low-sugar, clean-label trend, Oatly is doubling down on health-conscious consumers.