EU Awaits Clarity on Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
The European Commission sought clarity from the United States after U.S. President Donald Trump recommended on Friday putting a 50% tariff on EU imports from June 1, with Brussels' and Washington's trade chiefs due to talk later.
The Commission, which oversees trade policy for the 27-nation European Union, said it would not comment on the tariff threat until after a call between European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at 1500 GMT.
European stocks tumbled and the euro gave back some gains, while euro zone...
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HPAI H5N1 Virus in Dairy Cattle – What We Know
In March 2024, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1), commonly referred to as bird flu, was confirmed in domestic US livestock for the first time in a dairy operation in Texas. Since then, the virus has spread to 1,072 dairy operations across 17 states, raising widespread uncertainty throughout the dairy and livestock markets. Industry participants have raised concerns about the outbreak's potential impact on consumer perception and demand for dairy and meat products, though government agencies reiterate that the national food supply remains safe. Expana is closely monitoring the situation...
Expana Will Be Closed on Monday, May 26, 2025
Expana's administrative offices will be closed Monday, May 26, 2025 in observance of Memorial Day.
Coverage will resume on Expana, COMTELL, SeafoodNews and Foodmarket on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
ANALYSIS: Chicken Production Expectations on the Rise
The May 2025 USDA Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook paints a cautiously optimistic picture for the US broiler industry. While growth remains intact, several factors—including production constraints and global trade uncertainties—are creating a more measured trajectory moving forward.
US broiler production is now projected to reach 47.5 billion pounds in 2025, reflecting a modest 1.1% increase over last year. This growth is fueled by a higher number of birds slaughtered and slightly heavier average weights. However, the forecast ha
ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s April 2025 Beef Exports Pull Back to 43,739 mt after 10-Month High
New Zealand’s beef exports retreated in April 2025, easing to 43,739 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Stats NZ.
Volumes slipped 13.8% month-on-month (MoM), down 7,027 mt from March’s 10-month high. The decline was driven by lower shipments to the United States, China, and Canada, while modest gains to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan helped cap losses.
Annual volumes dipped 2.9% or 1,324 mt compared to a year ago, driven by softer demand from...
ANALYSIS: China’s April 2025 Beef Imports Dips 1.8% MoM to 209,361 mt
China's total beef imports in April 2025 eased back 1.8% month-on-month (MoM) or 3,782 mt to 209,361 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Inbound shipments fell by 3,782 mt, driven by lower numbers from Brazil, Argentina and New Zealand. However, firmer volumes from the United States (US), Uruguay and Australia cushioned further falls.
On a year-on-year (YoY) basis, imports fell 6.7% or 15,040 mt pressured by rising domestic production...
Executives from Kroger, Publix, Sysco and Walmart Join GS1 US Board of Governors
The GS1 US Board of Governors has elected four industry leaders to join the GS1 US Board: Benjamin Hamilton, vice president, supply chain planning, Kroger; Brad Oliver, senior vice president of product business development, Publix Super Markets, Inc.; Greg Keller, senior vice president, national accounts, Sysco, SYGMA, and Guest Worldwide; and Greg Cathey, senior vice president, transformation and innovation, Walmart. Additionally, Brian Dick, president and CEO, Golden State Foods, has been appointed vice chairman.
These executives comprise a cross-industry Board of Governors...
ANALYSIS: Expectations for Chicken Prices After EU Bans Poultry Imports from Brazil
Brazil, which accounts for approximately 30% of global poultry exports (with China as its top customer, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa), confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm on May 16, 2025. In response, the European Commission (EC) has banned imports of Brazilian poultry and poultry meat products to the European Union (EU).
Although the EU represents only 4.4% of Brazil’s total poultry exports, Brazil accounts for approximately 32% of the EU’s poultry...
ANALYSIS: Turkey Hatch Figures Reflect Supply Pinch with Slight Variations
Given the well accounted for supply landscape surrounding most key segments within the turkey complex at the moment, market participants are closely monitoring for any signs of a shift from the prevailing status quo. Although May marked the nineteenth consecutive month of year-over-year (YoY) declines in the eggs in incubators, there could be some emerging indications that an inflection point may be approaching, at least on paper.
May’s beginning tally of 24.8 million eggs in incubators was just 0.2%, or 51,000 eggs, below the comparable period in...
ANALYSIS: Australia’s Q1 2025 Beef Production Rises 2.7% QoQ on Higher Cattle Turnoff
Australia produced 679,048 mt of beef in Q1 2025 (excluding meat from calves), up 2.7% from the previous quarter, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Just shy of the Q3 2024 record, the 18,149 mt increase was driven by higher cattle turnoff in Victoria (VIC) and South Australia (SA) due to dry weather conditions. On a quarterly basis, SA lifted 15.6% in beef production while VIC firmed 2.9%.
New South Wales (NSW) produced 7.7% more beef in Q1 2025...
ANALYSIS: Early 2025 Safeguard Trigger Looms as China Ramps Up Aussie Beef
China’s imports of Australian beef are rapidly approaching the 2025 Special Agricultural Safeguard (SSG) threshold, raising industry concerns that the Most-Favored Nation tariffs could be activated earlier than anticipated.
The 2025 SSG volume is set at 208,307 mt. The latest General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) data showed year-to-date (YTD) volumes from Australia are tracking above seasonal averages, driven largely by strong grain-fed beef shipments since the start of the year...
ANALYSIS: Pork Cutout Strengthens Ahead of Memorial Day
The Expana pork cutout value continued its gradual upward trajectory, a trend that began in mid-April, posting a 6% gain through Friday’s close. This includes a 3% increase over the past week alone, driven primarily by strength in the ham, picnic, and butt primals, as seasonal demand intensifies heading into the heart of grilling season. Year-to-date slaughter rates are running 1.2% below year-ago levels and cold storage inventories are sitting at record lows, both supporting the cutout value. The approach of the Memorial Day holiday...
Snack Mania Recalls Nearly 10,000 Pounds of Chicken Coxinhas Due to Lack of Federal Inspection
According to an announcement from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Snack Mania Brazilian Delights Corp has issued a recall of approximately 9,722 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken coxinhas products. The recall was initiated because the products were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.
The affected items were produced on various dates between June 27, 2024, and May 2, 2025. They are packaged in 16.37 oz plastic containers labeled “Snack Mania COXINHAS BRAZILIAN...
Cargill Forecasts a Sizzling Start to Summer Grilling this Memorial Day
As millions of Americans mark the start of summer this Memorial Day weekend, Cargill is forecasting a strong demand for protein as grills fire up across the country. The company expects that many consumers will prioritize affordability without sacrificing taste by seeking out staples like ground beef, chicken and hot dogs.
Nearly 9 of 10 consumers say they’re ready to grill this summer, with approximately half of them planning to do so weekly. Beef (79%) and poultry (64%) remain the top choices for the grill...
Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline
US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.
“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET.
It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...
Dolly Parton Partners with Conagra Brands on New Line of Frozen Dinners
America’s sweetheart and musical icon, Dolly Parton, has announced the expansion of her retail food line.
In partnership with industry leader Conagra Brands, the launch builds on a successful collaboration that began in 2022.
The new line combines the convenience of single-serve frozen meals with the finger-licking flavors of Southern-inspired cuisine. Each meal retails for $4.49 and can be prepared in either the microwave or oven. The meals are available at major grocery retailers across the US.
Product highlights...
ANALYSIS: US Beef Hearts Price Inching Closer to Record High
In the current beef variety market, hearts are attracting a lot of attention. Currently, the weekly average price is up about 44% from the beginning of the year, sitting at approximately $1.68/lb—almost 3% below the all-time high of $1.73/lb recorded in October 2024.
For 2020-2024 the weekly average price was around $1.14/lb and over the last 10 years, the weekly average price of beef hearts has increased by 123.18%. The current high prices can be partly attributed to reduced slaughter...b
ANALYSIS: Korea’s April 2025 Beef Imports Slip MoM to 38,068 mt
Korea’s beef imports in the month of April 2025 amounted to 38,068 metric tons (mt), slipping 5.3% month-on-month (MoM), according to the latest data from Korea Customs Service.
In line with historical trends, the 2,130 mt monthly decrease was driven by lower in-bound shipments across key suppliers such as the United States (US), Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Annually, April imports firmed 1.5% year-on-year (YoY), a modest increase of 555 mt, led by higher tonnage from Australia and New Zealand while supply from the...
The Retail Rundown: Seafood Leads Memorial Day Retail Ads; Weather Poses Challenges
Seafood leads retail protein promotions heading into Memorial Day weekend, accounting for 28.7% of total featured protein ad volume. Pork follows at 25.9%, with beef at 21.3% and chicken at 19.3%.
Egg feature volume is virtually absent amid sluggish retail demand. Warmer weather is prompting a shift toward fruit and cereal for breakfast, while elevated, though easing, shelf prices continue to dampen consumer interest, according to Expana.
Within the seafood category, fresh and frozen fillets represent the largest share of advertised items at nearly 28%. Raw shrimp...
Feeder Vessel Transfers Disqualify Cargo from In-Transit Tariff Exemption Under IEEPA
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has provided clarification regarding the application of the in-transit tariff exemption under the Reciprocal Tariff Executive Order, with specific implications for feeder vessel operations. In guidance released on May 15, CBP confirmed that cargo transferred from a feeder vessel to a US-bound vessel after April 5, 2025, will not qualify for the in-transit exemption.
Under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), cargo that was loaded before April 5 and remains...
Applebee’s Reintroduces “All You Can Eat” to Drive Seasonal Traffic
Applebee’s has reintroduced its popular “All You Can Eat” promotion, an LTO strategy the brand consistently deploys during high-traffic periods to drive guest visits.
This season’s lineup features three proven guest favorites and legacy menu items: Chicken Tenders, Riblets, and Double Crunch Shrimp—offering broad consumer appeal.
ANALYSIS: UK–US Trade Agreement on Tariffs: Implications for the Beef Industry
On May 8, 2025, the United Kingdom and the United States formalized a trade agreement targeting the reduction of tariffs on selected goods, marking a significant shift in bilateral trade relations. Among the headline provisions was the removal or reduction of tariffs on key commodities, notably steel, aluminum, and beef.
A particularly impactful change involves US beef exports to the UK. Previously constrained by a 20% tariff on a quota of 1,000 tons, US beef will now benefit from a zero-tariff quota expanded to...
ANALYSIS: Retail Lamb Demand Peaks with Easter
Retail scanner data from Circana indicates that fresh lamb leg sales rose sharply in April, largely driven by Easter and the cultural traditions associated with the protein. For the week of April 20, 2025 (Easter week), sales totaled over $8.2 million—approximately $700,000 more than during Easter 2024, which occurred earlier in the year. While the average discounted price in 2024 was lower at $5.74 per pound, shoppers in 2025 paid an average of $6.03 per pound and still purchased nearly three times more volume than the prior week...
Expana Honors an Industry Legend and the Next Generation with Awards
The award ceremony at this year’s Executive Conference, the event for leaders in the animal protein sector, featured the annually presented Rising Star Award sponsored by Farm Credit, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In its third year, the Rising Star Award is presented to a protein industry newcomer who is striving towards innovation, collaboration and success for not only their business but the wider sector. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has had a multi-faceted and distinguished career in...
Meat Institute and AMSA Offer a Training Resource to Support New Swine Inspection System
The Meat Institute, in collaboration with the American Meat Science Association (AMSA), has assembled a practical training guide to support effective implementation of the USDA’s New Swine Inspection System (NSIS). This new resource is designed to enhance in-plant training and provide consistent, science-based guidance—particularly for sorting decisions.
Created in direct response to feedback from establishments and industry partners, the guide features real-world examples, clear explanations, and condition-specific imagery to improve accuracy and confidence in decision-making...
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