Statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins

On January 31^st, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of State welcomed a new commitment between the United States and Mexico that strengthens implementation of the 1944 Water Treaty, providing greater certainty for farmers, ranchers, and producers in South Texas who rely on consistent water deliveries from the Rio Grande.

This announcement follows a call last week between President Trump and President Sheinbaum, during which both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to resolving longstanding water management challenges and supporting communities and producers on both sides of the border...

ANALYSIS: Supply Constraints Continue to Support a Firm Plant Protein Market  

Supply constraints due to tariffs and rising input costs continue to support firm prices in the plant protein market. Particularly for pea protein, as countries including the US and Canada have placed anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese imports. The European Union is conducting a similar investigation, with a preliminary decision expected by March.  

In Europe, players anticipate the market to rely on imports from alternative origins if Chinese tariffs take effect because local production will be...

Darden Restaurants Outlines Strategic Changes for Bahama Breeze Banner

Today, Darden Restaurants announced that it has completed its exploration of strategic alternatives for its Bahama Breeze banner, following previous discussions of potentially selling or introducing other Darden brands at those locations.

The company has now confirmed both decisions: 14 Bahama Breeze locations will permanently close, while space from the remaining 14 stores will be used for other restaurants within the Darden umbrella.

On 2/6/26, Get 2 6-Inch Subs for $6 as Subway® Celebrates the Only Date That Repeats

This Friday, Subway is giving everyone lucky numbers that are guaranteed winners: two freshly-made six-inch subs for just $6 on 2/6/26.* Snag the deal by asking for the 2/6/26 promo at Subway restaurants across the country, or on the Subway App or Subway.com using promo code 2626PROMO.

This weekend is all about the numbers – point spreads, over-unders, squares, superstitions and more. As sports fans prep...

C&S Wholesale Grocers and Sedano's Supermarkets Forge Strategic Supply Partnership

C&S Wholesale Grocers (C&S) today announced it has signed a new supply agreement with Sedano's Supermarkets, Florida's leading Hispanic grocery, designating C&S as its primary supplier.

"We're excited for our partnership with Sedano's Supermarkets — a grocer that has been at the heart of the Hispanic community for more than six decades," stated Eric Winn, Chief Executive Officer, C&S. "The Southeast continues to be an important driver for our long-term growth, and this is another critical partnership that broadens our impact across...

Kroger's Winning Playbook for the Big Game, Top Picks and Big Savings

Kroger has unveiled its top party selections for the year's most-watched sporting event, the National Football League's Championship game (the Big Game). 

"At Kroger, the Big Game is all about the snack spread," said Carlo Baldan, Kroger Group Vice President of Fresh Merchandising. "Our game-winning playbook includes quality at an unbeatable value, food that tastes incredible, and exclusive options you can't find anywhere else. Kroger is giving fans everything they need to score and save big on game day...

GrubHub's Big Game Commercial Debut Features George Clooney and Winter Savings

As the big game approaches, with kickoff set to captivate audiences on February 8, one of the evening's highlights is expected to be the iconic commercials.

This year, GrubHub makes a notable entry with a star-studded advertisement featuring George Clooney and director Yorgos Lanthimos, highlighting the food delivery service’s latest promotional strategy. On order of at least $50, "GrubHub will eat the fees."

"This is a defining moment for Grubhub. A business shift this fundamental required a creative vision to match," says Marnie Kain...

From the Countryside to Your Couch: America’s Farmers Fuel Your Big Game Party

Sunday’s big game will be the main focus for millions of America’s families, but what they eat during the game will be a close second. The NFL championship represents the second-highest day of food consumption, behind only Thanksgiving.

The event offers a snapshot of the strength and reach of U.S. agriculture, along with the historic challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers. In the latest Market Intel, American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the most popular snacks and the economic pressures on farmers who grow the food fans count on...

NCBA Releases 2026 Policy Priorities at CattleCon

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today announced its 2026 policy priorities following approval by the organization’s Executive Committee at CattleCon 2026. NCBA’s focus centers on policies that directly impact producer profitability, including reducing regulatory costs, defending free markets, expanding trade opportunities, and maintaining strong beef demand.

“NCBA focused on practical, workable solutions that produced meaningful policy wins in 2025,” said NCBA President-Elect Gene Copenhaver, a Virginia cattle producer. “NCBA’s efforts resulted in key tax and regulatory improvements, including expanded estate tax exemptions, a new Waters of the U.S. rules, and the...

Stop & Shop Lowers Chicken Prices Across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut

Stop & Shop today announced new lower, everyday prices on chicken at all its stores across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. With the price reductions taking effect before the “Big Game,” Stop & Shop is making it easier for customers to save on wings, tenders, and drums, which are some of the most popular staples for football snacking. In 2025, around 1.47 billion wings were consumed for the “Big Game”, according to the National Chicken Council. The lower prices apply to a wide range of products from national brands...

American Egg Board Aims to Spur Rapid Export Growth, Starting with Indonesia

American Egg Board (AEB) leadership and U.S. egg producers are accompanying officials from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and state departments of agriculture, agribusiness executives and representatives from other U.S. commodities on a trade mission to Jakarta, Indonesia, February 2–5, 2026. The trade mission is the first in a series of strategic international engagements slated by AEB this year to catalyze expansion of U.S. egg and egg product exports to diversify sales distribution long-term and address current domestic market conditions with urgency.

“Exports represent a critical...

Tyson Foods Delivers Chicken Sales Growth Amid Higher Prices in Q1

Tyson Foods has reported a solid start to fiscal 2026, posting first-quarter sales of $14.313 billion, up 5.1% year-over-year YOY , driven by gains across most of its core protein segments.

The company, whose portfolio includes brands such as Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm and Ball Park, said performance reflected strong execution, particularly in Prepared Foods and Chicken. Gross profit totaled $808 million for the quarter.

"Our first quarter results reflect solid execution across our...

Burger King China Embarks on Strategic Growth with RBI and CPE Partnership

Restaurant Brands International, Inc. (RBI) and CPE recently announced the completion of their previously unveiled joint venture, marking a significant milestone in Burger King China's next phase of growth.

This deal is the epitome of strategic growth planning, with the beloved brand joining forces with the local market expertise of CPE.

Upon finalizing the deal, CPE's $350 million investment of new primary capital into the joint venture will secure approximately 83% of the business, while RBI retains a 17% minority interest and...

FDA’s 2026 Human Foods Program to Advance Food Safety, Nutrition, and Seafood Import Oversight

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has outlined its Human Foods Program (HFP) priority deliverables for 2026, emphasizing a robust agenda to enhance food safety, modernize regulatory frameworks, and promote better nutrition across the nation's food supply. This comprehensive plan addresses critical areas for agri-food producers, processors, and importers, with a sharper focus on seafood, chemicals, nutrition, and enforcement modernization.

Given the high volume of imported seafood demanded by US consumers, the FDA is prioritizing seafood safety as a key component of its 2026...

P.F. Chang's Welcomes its New CMO, Holly Smith 

P.F. Chang's is welcoming its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Holly Smith, who will drive the brand and the company's market presence.

"I'm thrilled to join P.F. Chang's at such an exciting time in its evolution," said Smith. "This brand holds a special place in the hearts of diners around the world, and I look forward to partnering with the incredibly talented teams to deepen those connections and drive meaningful, long-term growth."

Smith will lead the development and execution of P.F. Chang's marketing strategy, leveraging both creative...

McDonald's Embraces Opulence with the Exclusive McNugget Caviar Kit

TikTok has been instrumental in driving food trends that have captivated social media and permeated everyday culinary experiences. A few years ago, videos emerged showcasing a luxe reinvention of the McDonald's Chicken Nugget, pairing the crispy, tender favorite with the salty, savory decadence of caviar. The intriguing combination has resonated with audiences worldwide, and McDonald's has embraced the trend.

In a bold move, the fast-food giant announces its first-ever McNugget Caviar Kits, featuring Paramount's Baerii caviar, available exclusively on February 10 at McNuggetCaviar.com, not in any McDonald's restaurants.

November Pork and Beef Exports Below Year-Ago Levels; Lamb Trends Higher

Exports of U.S. pork remained relatively strong in November but were below the large total reported in November 2024, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were significantly lower year-over-year, due in large part to the ongoing lockout by China. Lamb exports were a bright spot, posting the largest volume since July and highest value since May. 

Exports of U.S. pork totaled 254,085 metric tons (mt) in November, down 7% from a year ago but the third largest of 2025. Exports...

USDA Trade Mission Expands Opportunities for US Agricultural Exports to Indonesia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a trade mission to Jakarta, Indonesia next week to expand market access, boost American agricultural exports, and take advantage of the new opportunities created by the U.S.-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. 

Led by Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg, the mission is scheduled for Feb. 2 through 6, 2026, and includes 41 agribusinesses, trade organizations and representatives from three state departments of agriculture.

“This mission is a chance for us to turn the opportunities of the landmark Indonesia trade deal into real sales for American farmers...

USDA Shifts Sterile Fly Dispersal Efforts to Defend US Border

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing a shift in its 100 million per week sterile fly dispersal efforts to stop the northern spread of New World screwworm (NWS). USDA will reallocate aircraft and sterile insects to reinforce coverage along the U.S.-Mexico border. The new dispersal area, or polygon, will include operations about 50 miles into Texas, along the U.S. border with the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Mass production and targeted dispersal of sterile insects are critical components of an effective strategy to fight NWS...

Game-Day Demand and Promotions in Foodservice

In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, the food industry prepares for what sports enthusiasts may consider a different sort of holiday: the National Football League’s championship game. This year's event is scheduled on February 8 in Santa Clara, California- South of San Francisco. 

Football fans are anticipated to gather in groups for the big day, indulging in an assortment of small bites that drives food sales across grocery, retail, and foodservice, with pizza and chicken wings traditionally taking the lead.

According to the National Retail Federation's...

Sprouts Farmers Market Opens First Store in New York with Location in Centereach on Long Island

Sprouts Farmers Market has announced it will open its first location in New York in Centereach, Long Island on Friday, January 30 located at 1934 Middle Country Rd. A ribbon-cutting will take place on Friday at 6:45 a.m. and the doors to the store will open at 7 a.m.

Throughout grand opening weekend in Centereach, Sprouts will host a series of giveaways and onsite activities including opportunities to taste seasonal produce. The first 200 shoppers on Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January...

ANALYSIS: Weaker Output Pushes New Zealand’s 2025 Total Beef Exports to Seven-Year Low

New Zealand’s total beef exports in 2025 fell to the lowest level since 2018, reaching 462,216 mt, according to the latest Stats NZ data.

On an annual basis, volumes slipped 6.6% year-on-year (YOY), or 32,796 mt.

2025 At A Glance

High cattle retention, driven by rising dairy demand and elevated cattle prices, constrained beef production throughout 2025, limiting herd slaughter and weighing on exports.

Declines were seen across most major markets, with the US and China still taking the lion’s share of New...

ANALYSIS: US Special-Fed Veal Market Conditions

US special-fed veal carcass prices remain at record-high levels, with Northeast Hide-off Carcasses (255/315 lb) trading in a $660 to $680/cwt range. Current prices are roughly 6 to 10% higher than 2025 averages, 28 to 32% above 2024 levels, and more than 120% above the 33-year average of about $296/cwt, underscoring tight supply conditions.

USDA Cattle Inventory reports from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2025 show the US dairy cow herd declined by roughly 1%, reducing the pool of dairy-sourced calves available to the veal sector. At the same time, industry breeding data indicate...

IPPE Unveils New Logo to Commemorate 15-Year Partnership

The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) has unveiled a new logo that reflects the strength of its 15-year collaboration among its three partner organizations – the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, American Feed Industry Association and the Meat Institute. The new brand identity reinforces IPPE’s role as the premier destination where technology and innovation converge across the global animal protein and feed value chain.  

The following new logo features a modern feel with modern typography in updated colors and fonts, as well as updated graphic elements to emphasize the interconnected nature of the poultry, meat and animal food industries...

Expana's Weekly Top 10: Key Developments in Weather, Trade, and Market Trends

This week on Expana, headlines brought together a dynamic mix of extreme weather, evolving trade disputes, and shifts across consumer and corporate landscapes. A major winter storm disrupted US infrastructure and supply chains, while new tariff threats reshaped trade flows in seafood, agriculture, and manufacturing. Together, these developments highlight growing pressures across food, commodities, and retail sectors worldwide. Below, Expana presents the top 10 stories influencing markets, trade, and consumer sentiment this week- In no particular order.

10. Winter Storm Grips Much...

ANALYSIS: US Imports of Mexican Beef Firm at Start of Year 

The Mexican export market has started the year with firm tones in fresh beef cuts moving into the US, as weekly import volumes continue to show upward movement relative to both the previous two years and the five-year average. Early-January data indicate that fresh beef cuts are posting year-on-year increases on a weekly basis, supported by stronger buying interest from US importers facing limited domestic availability. Market participants report that tighter US supplies of Select and Standard material have...

ANALYSIS: Early-2026 Turkey Slaughter Signals Stabilization, Disease Risks Cap Upside Potential

2026’s preliminary weekly slaughter data for 2026 offers a cautiously constructive signal for the turkey industry. On paper, modest year-over-year improvements in turkey egg sets and poult placements toward year-end 2025 also suggest that a slight improvement in production could be in the cards as the year progresses. That said, optimism remains tempered by ongoing disease challenges, which loom large, keeping expectations restrained across the...

Kroger Adds 24 New Items to Simple Truth™ Protein Line

As health and wellness continue to drive dining and purchasing trends, consumers are increasingly looking for ways to strengthen their nutrition, adding protein wherever possible.

In response, brands and foodservice operators are finding new ways to manipulate macros and help consumers pack in more protein without sacrificing taste or affordability.

"As customers focus on their wellness goals in the new year, they are looking for high-quality options that fit their lifestyles and budgets," said Ann Reed, Group Vice President of Our Brands at Kroger.

Bachoco Completes Acquisition of Mexico’s RYC Alimentos 

Mexico’s Industrias Bachoco has completed the acquisition of privately held meat processor RYC Alimentos, expanding its footprint in value-added protein products, said the company. 

The deal gives Bachoco ownership of two processing plants in Puebla and around 21 retail outlets across Puebla, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Tlaxcala. Financial terms were not disclosed. 

Founded in 1983, RYC produces and sells beef, pork and chicken products and generates annual net sales of approximately $150 million. The company employs more than 900 people. Bachoco said the transaction was completed...

ANALYSIS: Saudi Disease Restrictions Accelerate EU Egg Market Adjustment

Saudi Arabia’s temporary suspension of poultry and egg imports from France and Poland, prompted by ongoing HPAI and Newcastle disease outbreaks, adds a further layer of disruption to an EU egg market already marked by elevated sanitary risks and fragmented trade flows. Although the immediate volume impact at the EU‑27 level remains limited relative to the 2020–2021 export peak, the suspension is highly significant in terms of trade concentration and risk pricing for key supplying member states.

Export data from the European Commission...

ANALYSIS: December Turkey Cold Storage Inventories Stay Tight Despite Post-Holiday Shifts

The latest USDA cold storage report for December 2025 continues to underscore a tightly supplied turkey market, even as typical post-holiday adjustments begin to surface. On a year-over-year (YOY) basis, inventories across whole birds, breasts, legs, and total turkey holdings all remained lower, with declines ranging from roughly 27–34%, while MST was essentially flat; down just 1.2% YOY. Collectively, total turkey inventories finished December 24.6% below last year, reinforcing the ongoing impact of production constraints tied to HPAI and related health challenges.

Chili’s Extends Growth Streak to 19 Quarters in Brinker’s Q2 Results

Brinker International, parent company of Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy, reported financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026.

For the period ended December 24, 2025, Brinker posted a 7.5% increase in comparable restaurant sales, driven by strong performance at Chili’s, where comparable sales rose 8.6%. Comparable sales at Maggiano’s declined during the quarter.

Chili’s growth was fueled by continued menu innovation, competitive pricing, and disciplined execution, allowing the brand to expand its customer base and remain the company’s top performer.

The Retail Rundown: Protein Movement Gains from Championship Game and Severe Weather 

February is typically a sluggish period for protein sales, but demand tied to the season’s championship football matchup is delivering a timely lift for retailers. As shoppers prepare for watch parties and at-home gatherings, meat cases are seeing an uptick in interest for value-oriented, crowd-friendly cuts.

This week’s promotional mix leans toward beef, which accounts for 26% of total features. Seafood follows closely at 25%, while pork represents 24%. Chicken promotions eased to 17.5%, and egg features held steady at 4%. Turkey ads account for 2% of total ads, led by ground turkey features...

Valentine’s Day Dining Trends Show Shift Beyond Romance According to OpenTable

Restaurants are gearing up for the next major dining holiday: Valentine’s Day.

According to global restaurant tech company OpenTable, this year the industry continues to see a shift as consumers celebrate more than just romantic relationships. From friendships to family and self-love, Valentine’s Day is becoming more inclusive, and restaurants are at the center of it.

"Gen-Z is leading the charge in making Valentine's Day more inclusive," said Cheryl Paniagua, VP of Restaurant Sales & Services at OpenTable.

The data shows that 60%...

Strategic Growth and Innovation Propel WOWorks into a Promising Future

WOWorks, the parent company of several "better-for-you" restaurants, concluded 2025 with significant growth and innovation.

Home to establishments like Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos, and Zoup! Eatery, the WOWorks umbrella maintained a steady stream of new franchise agreements, opened multiple new restaurants, and launched enhanced co-branding initiatives that are driving momentum across its fast-casual dining platform.

Notably, the WOWorks platform has demonstrated substantial growth by integrating Frutta Bowls into select Saladworks and Barberitos locations, resulting in 10...

ANALYSIS: US Boneless Beef Cold Storage Stocks Post the Lowest December Figure in 10 Years 

Boneless beef cold storage stocks ended 2025 with 39.78 million lbs in December, according to the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) cold storage report. While this represents an increase of 1.25 million lbs from November, boneless beef cold storage figures typically climb throughout the latter half of 

ANALYSIS: Argentina’s Fresh Beef Exports Dropped 7.2% in 2025 to 713,363 mt

The latest data released by Argentina’s National Institute of Statistics and Census indicated that fresh beef exports (chilled and frozen) dropped further in December, extending the downward trend that had been in place since August and mirroring the pattern observed in the previous year. Shipments declined 14.5% MOM to 56,708 mt, standing 1.8% below December 2024 levels. On a full-year basis, fresh beef exports totaled 713,363 mt, 7.2% lower than 2024 figures.

This contraction occurred against a backdrop of tighter cattle availability and a shift in export composition, with a greater focus on higher value destinations and reduced reliance on volume driven flows, particularly to China. As a result, overall shipments remained constrained throughout the second half of the year, even as global demand conditions stayed firm.

Sysco Delivers Solid Q2 Performance, Driven by Volume Growth and Margin Expansion, Raises Outlook

Sysco Corp. reported solid financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, driven by improved volume performance, margin expansion, and continued execution of company-specific growth initiatives.

The company posted second-quarter sales of $20.8 billion, up 3.0% year-over-year (YOY). Gross profit increased 3.9% to $3.8 billion, with gross margin expanding 15 basis points to 18.3%, reflecting effective management of product cost inflation and strategic sourcing efficiencies. Operating income declined 2.8% to $692 million, while ...

EC Creates Task Force to Strengthen Import Controls on Food and Feed Safety

The European Commission (EC), on January 26, 2026, launched a new Task Force aimed at reinforcing the European Union’s ability to ensure that imported food and feed products meet its safety standards while supporting jobs and growth among EU producers.

The EC said the initiative will focus on food and feed safety, pesticide residues, and coordinated monitoring of targeted imported goods.

Bringing together expertise from the EC and Member States, the Task Force will work to harmonize import controls, develop recommendations for joint actions