Business

The global number of managed honey bee colonies has risen sharply over the past three decades, driven largely by growth in Asia and Africa, even as concerns over pollinator health persist in parts of Europe and North America, according to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The Netherlands emerged as the largest buyer of U.S. crude oil in 2025, highlighting Europe’s continued reliance on American energy supplies even as overall U.S. exports declined for the first time in four years.

India, Iran and Bangladesh rank among the countries with the lowest egg prices globally, highlighting stark differences in food affordability across regions, according to recent data from Numbeo and Global Product Prices.

Global cotton production is set to remain heavily concentrated among a handful of major producers in the 2025/26 season, with China, India and Brazil accounting for the bulk of output, according to projections from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and market data from Trading Economics.

The world’s largest confectionery companies have tightened their grip on a resilient global sweets market in 2026, with US-based Mondelēz International retaining its position as the top candy producer by revenue, according to the latest Global Top 100 ranking from Candy Industry.

From the narrow locks of Panama to the vast stretch of China’s Grand Canal, artificial waterways continue to underpin global trade, acting as critical shortcuts that reshape maritime routes and economic flows.

Germany has emerged as the world’s most respected country of origin for products, reinforcing its long-standing reputation for engineering excellence and manufacturing quality, according to international perception data compiled by Dalia Research and cited by Forbes.

Swiss food giant Nestlé has retained its position as the world’s most valuable food company, with a market capitalisation of about $264 billion, underscoring the dominance of multinational consumer brands in a rapidly evolving global food industry.

A handful of narrow sea passages account for a disproportionate share of global maritime trade, serving as critical arteries for energy supplies, container shipping, and raw materials.

China has emerged as the country with the largest number of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in the world, highlighting the dramatic shift in the global fast-food landscape as international markets outpace the brand’s birthplace in the United States.

Air travel across the Middle East faced an unprecedented wave of disruptions between February 28 and March 5, with several major airports recording cancellation rates above 90%, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Africa’s copper sector continues to shape global supply chains, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambia, South Africa and Namibia emerging as the continent’s most important exporters of the red metal.

China and India sit at the centre of Asia’s economic story, but have different profiles in what they sell to the world.