Biden, Xi talk trade: President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping spent two hours on the phone in a broad-ranging review of issues, including Biden’s “fundamental concerns about Beijing’s coercive and unfair economic practices,” said the White House. (FERN’s Ag Insider)
Blueberries not a threat: On a 5-0 vote, the U.S. International Trade Commission determined that imports of fresh, chilled, or frozen blueberries do not pose a serious threat to domestic producers. (USITC)
Grocery prices rise: The grocery store price of meats, fish, poultry, and eggs rose 5.1 percent over the past year, leading a 3.7 percent increase in the cost of “food at home” since last January, according to the monthly Consumer Price Index report. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Water worries in Arizona: Large farms in southeastern Arizona rely on deep wells to irrigate corn and alfalfa fields, pistachio orchards, and grape vineyards, causing concern about the future water supply and talk in the state legislature of groundwater regulations. (Arizona Republic)
Mr. Peanut is moving on: Hormel Foods, maker of Spam and Skippy peanut butter, is buying Planters, known for its Mr. Peanut mascot, from Kraft Heinz for $3.35 billion. (CNN)