Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Corteva, Archer Daniels Midland, Dole and Mission Produce

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – October 6, 2025 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Corteva Inc. CTVA, Archer Daniels Midland Co. ADM, Dole plc DOLE and Mission Produce Inc. AVO.Industry: AgricultureLink: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2761603/4-agriculture-operations-stocks-to-watch-as-trade-uncertainties-weighThe Zacks Agriculture – Operations industry faces persistent headwinds, including volatile commodity prices, rising input costs, trade uncertainties and mounting operational expenses. These pressures are squeezing margins, disrupting productivity and challenging long-term sustainability, forcing industry players to strike a difficult balance between growth and resilience.On the brighter side, the sector is set to benefit from innovation and growing consumer demand for health-focused products. With diets increasingly shifting toward healthier options, alternative protein adoption is expected to accelerate. Growth prospects are further supported by acquisitions, joint ventures and expansion initiatives, alongside advances in food processing, grain-handling efficiency, storage capacity and robust demand from emerging markets. In this backdrop, companies such as Corteva Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Co., Dole plc and Mission Produce Inc. are well-positioned to capitalize on these evolving trends.About the IndustryThe Zacks Agriculture – Operations industry comprises companies that produce or procure, transport, store, process and distribute agricultural commodities to consumers. It also distributes ingredients to other parts of the agriculture industry (including clothing, animal feed, energy and industrial products). Some industry players engage in dairy operations, land transformation activities and the development of food ingredients using gene-editing technology.The industry encompasses production activities related to the traditional farming of crops (like corn, soybean, wheat and cotton), and livestock and poultry products (including meat, dairy and eggs). The products are mainly sold at grocery stores or exported overseas. These are also used as feedstock for other industries. For example, cotton is used in the clothing industry and corn is used in the ethanol industry.Factors Shaping the Future of Agriculture - Operations IndustryAgricultural Export/Import Projections: The August 2025 outlook of the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects agricultural exports of $173 billion for fiscal 2025 (ending Sept. 30, 2025), up $2.5 billion from the May forecast of $170.5 billion. The uptick is primarily driven by stronger grain and feed exports, partially offset by a weaker outlook for seeds.Grain and feed exports are expected to be $39.2 billion, up $1.3 billion due to a $1.2-billion increase in corn exports, supported by higher volumes and prices. Additionally, the company expects agricultural exports of $169 billion for fiscal 2026 (ending Sept. 30, 2026). Meanwhile, U.S. agricultural imports for fiscal 2025 are projected at $220 billion, unchanged from the May forecast.Organic Products & Innovation in Focus: The industry has gained from rising consumer demand for healthier food, prompting a shift toward organic farming practices, and reduced use of chemicals and pesticides. Innovations in food processing, enhanced grain-handling techniques, increased storage capacity and strong demand from emerging markets are driving growth.As healthy eating trends expand, alternative protein consumption is expected to rise. To align with trends in food security, health and well-being, industry players are prioritizing productivity and innovation. Companies are also investing in acquisitions and joint ventures to create high-quality ingredients and solutions that meet the growing demand for healthy products.Elevated Costs: Agricultural companies face rising costs due to fluctuating commodity prices, inflation-driven input increases and trade uncertainties, all of which are squeezing profitability. Inflation-driven surges in input costs are significant challenges, raising production expenses and narrowing margins. To combat these pressures, companies have adopted pricing strategies and improved supply-chain resilience through partnerships and distribution initiatives. However, commodity cost inflation is expected to persist, maintaining pressure on margins in the near term.Additionally, companies are managing higher SG&A expenses, driven by performance-related compensation, project costs and technology investments to stay competitive. These elevated operating expenses and ongoing SG&A deleverage may continue to weigh on profitability.Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Dull ProspectsThe Zacks Agriculture – Operations industry is within the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #158, which places it in the bottom 36% of more than 250 Zacks industries.The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates dull near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.The industry's positioning in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries resulted from a negative aggregate earnings outlook for the constituent companies. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, analysts are gradually losing confidence in this group's earnings growth potential.Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let us look at the industry's recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.Industry Vs Broader MarketIn a year, the Zacks Agriculture – Operations industry has underperformed the Zacks Consumer Staples sector and the S&P 500.The stocks in the industry have collectively declined 8% in a year compared with a 6.3% dip for the sector and 18.9% growth for the Zacks S&P 500 composite.Agriculture - Operations Industry's ValuationOn the basis of the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which is commonly used for valuing Consumer Staples stocks, the agriculture – Operations industry is currently trading at 13.21X compared with the S&P 500's 23.36X and the sector's 16.51X.Over the last five years, the industry traded as high as 17.59X, as low as 10.96X and at the median of 14.38X.4 Agriculture Operations Stocks to Keep an Eye OnCorteva: This Wilmington, DE-based pure-play agriculture company is poised to drive above-market growth through its industry-leading product pipeline, and rigorous approach to innovation and operating discipline. It is poised to accelerate its pace of innovation and existing leadership position in the high-value sector to meet the increasing market demand for naturally derived products through three new collaboration agreements. Strong price execution in seed, supply-chain flexibility and solid market demand for its balanced and differentiated new product portfolios drive CTVA's performance.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Corteva's 2025 earnings has moved up 1.3% in the past seven days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its 2025 sales and earnings suggests growth of 4% and 23.7%, respectively, from the year-ago period's reported figures.The company has delivered a negative earnings surprise of 4.4%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. The Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock has risen 8.8% in the past year. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Mission Produce:This Oxnard, CA-based company is engaged in sourcing, farming, packaging, marketing and distributing avocados, mangoes and blueberries to food retailers, distributors and foodservice customers in the United States and internationally. By effectively integrating its sales operations with sourcing teams, the company has demonstrated an exceptional ability to meet customer demand while optimizing per-unit margins. This alignment allows Mission Produce to leverage a sustained higher pricing environment, ensuring profitability and consistent performance in its Marketing and Distribution segment.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mission Produce's fiscal 2025 earnings has moved up 13.6% in the past 30 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its fiscal 2025 sales suggests growth of 12.1% from the year-ago period's reported figure, and that for earnings implies a decline of 9.5%. The Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company has delivered a significant earnings surprise, on average, in the trailing four quarters. The AVO stock has declined 4.6% in the past year.Archer Daniels: This Chicago, IL-based agricultural product company's leadership in critical global trends, such as flexitarian diets, nutrition and sustainable materials, has contributed to its momentum. Its focus on investing in assets and technological capabilities to serve customers efficiently is likely to be a significant growth driver. Solid demand, improved productivity and product innovations have been aiding the company.Its Readiness program, positive cash flow and solid performance at the Nutrition unit have been supporting the results. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has been progressing well on its three strategic pillars — optimize, drive and growth.Archer Daniels is poised to benefit from the robust performance of its Nutrition segment, owing to significant gains in the Human and Animal Nutrition units. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ADM's 2025 earnings has been unchanged in the past 30 days at $4.02 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Archer Daniels' 2025 sales and earnings suggests declines of 2.1% and 15.2%, respectively, from the year-ago period's reported figures. It delivered an earnings surprise of 0.1%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. The company has lost 0.2% in the past year.Dole: This Dublin, Ireland-based global leader in fresh produce is poised to benefit from improved logistical efficiencies in several areas, which brought increased stability to its core fruit business. The company's diverse sourcing network and advanced farming practices are likely to help overcome the weather challenges in various regions. DOLE benefited from a healthier supply and demand balance, which allowed for a better pricing environment in Europe and much-improved selling conditions in the non-core markets.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dole's 2025 earnings has been unchanged in the past 30 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its 2025 earnings suggests a decline of 18.9% from the year-ago period's reported figure. The Zacks Rank #3 company delivered an earnings surprise of 25.4%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. The DOLE stock has declined 18.5% in the past year.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance  for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM): Free Stock Analysis Report Dole PLC (DOLE): Free Stock Analysis Report Corteva, Inc. (CTVA): Free Stock Analysis Report Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks