Purchasing Seminar to explore commodity, consumer trends

KANSAS CITY — Turmoil in geopolitics and the US economy played a prominent role in commodity ingredient markets in 2025, continuing into the current year. In-depth analysis into how global conditions will affect ingredient prices in the year ahead, as well as updates on the economy and shifting consumer trends will be featured at the 2026 Sosland Purchasing Seminar.

Ambassador Darci Vetter, whose trade experience includes serving as chief agricultural negotiator with the Office of the US Trade Representative, and Joe Glauber, for many years the chief economist at the US Department of Agriculture, will be among presenters at the seminar May 31-June 2 at the Loews Kansas City hotel.

Held annually since 1977, the Purchasing Seminar offers comprehensive market analysis to help purchasing executives formulate procurement strategies for the year ahead. Attended by more than 800 purchasing executives and other industry professionals, the event also serves as a highly-anticipated opportunity for suppliers to meet each spring with current and prospective customers and for networking.

“While many grain and oilseed markets have been relatively benign using traditional supply and demand measures, external forces continue to inject uncertainty into the trading environment, leaving buyers and sellers on tenterhooks,” said Josh Sosland, president of Sosland Publishing Co. and editor of Milling & Baking News. “We’re excited to welcome Darci Vetter and Joe Glauber to our program for the first time, as well as a number of other new presenters, together with an impressive roster of additional subject experts who will be returning.”

Vetter will speak June 2 on tariffs and global trade. Other presentations on June 2 will cover energy, Tim Statts, Schneider Electric; consumer trends, David Portalatin, Circana; the economic outlook, Eric Kelley, UMB Bank; and transportation, Jim Ritchie, RedStone Logistics.

The event will begin May 31 with an optional session exploring the basics of ingredient market fundamentals conducted by Michael Irgang, president and owner of Global Risk Management Corp., as well as members of the GRM team.

June 1 sessions will begin with Glauber discussing global trade in uncertain times. He will be followed by a world grain market overview by Dan Basse, AgResource Co.; wheat and bakery flour, Bill Lapp, Advanced Economic Solutions; and feed grains and millfeed, Ankush Bhandari, Scoular Co. Following a coffee break, a presentation on edible oils and bakery shortening will be delivered by Alex Norton, Beeson & Associates, Inc.; and world weather, Drew Lerner, World Weather, Inc.

After lunch, a market panel will be convened by Hayden Wands, Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, followed by a presentation on sweeteners by Frank Jenkins, Jenkins Sugar Group.

Breakout session topics later on June 1 include eggs, spices, cocoa, protein, dairy, packaging and fruit. A special breakout session on AI and decision making will be led by Erin Nazetta. Conducting a risk management breakout session for the first time will be Scott Custard and Dave Reeble of Moving Parts, LLC.

Breakfasts, evening cocktail receptions and coffee breaks offer opportunities for networking over the course of the three-day seminar. Detailed information about the event may be found at https://www.purchasingseminar.com/.