Bird flu Suspected in Four Washington Farm Workers, CDC Sends Team
The CDC is deploying a team to Washington state to assess the health of farm workers who culled poultry suffering from bird flu after four workers are presumed to have been infected by the virus, U.S. and state health officials said on Monday.
The infections would make Washington the sixth state to identify human cases this year.
The cases fuel growing concern among public health experts, as infections of U.S. dairy cattle and more than two dozen farm workers have...
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ANALYSIS: China’s Beef Imports Sink 5.7% M-o-M in September; Tonnage Lowest Since 2020
China’s September 2024 beef imports slumped 5.7% month-on-month (m-o-m) to 218,199 metric tonnes (mt), according to the General Administration of Customs People's Republic of China.
Although August 2024 saw a mild recovery, volumes in September 2024 dropped by 13,136 mt, with declines recorded across all major suppliers except Australia and Bolivia. September 2024’s in-month tonnage was also the lowest since 2020, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by the world’s largest beef importer.
Annual figures painted...
Campbell’s and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Announce Partnership
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) and Campbell Soup Company (NASDAQ:CPB) (Campbell’s) today announced a unique marketing partnership spanning four storied sports franchises across several of the world’s biggest leagues.
Campbell’s will serve as an official partner to the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), the Washington Commanders (NFL), New Jersey Devils (NHL), Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and Joe Gibbs Racing (NASCAR). The multi-year partnership will enable fans to connect and engage with Campbell’s leading portfolio of brands through unique activations and authentic offerings in prominent sports and entertainment markets...
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 U.S. livestock for the first time in a dairy operation in Texas. Since then, the virus has spread to 331 dairy operations across 14 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...
ANALYSIS: Breaking out the Chicken Production Roadmap
From a seasonal shift in buyer outreach, to heavy live weights, and even hurricanes, there is no shortage of variables which are keeping chicken market participants on their toes here in mid-October.
Given the volatile and somewhat unpredictable nature of the market lately, players are finding that historic seasonality isn’t always the best indicator of the road that lies ahead. This scenario has prompted some participants to break out the production “roadmap” in an attempt to hone their expectations for the future. Perhaps one of the best indicators at...
Walmart Sets the Table Early With a Thanksgiving Meal for Less Than $7 per Person
Today Walmart officially launched its holiday meal, bringing customers incredible savings on mealtime favorites, earlier and at an even lower price than last year. And to help spread more joy during the season of giving, Walmart is offering customers the opportunity to gift a meal directly to loved ones anywhere in the country and, new this year, donate an entire meal to their local Salvation Army unit.
As food prices remain top of mind, more customers want to begin saving earlier...
Strike to Halt Operations at Brazilian Ports on October 22
Brazilian port workers will stage a 12-hour strike on 22 October, with around 60,000 registered and freelance workers from three national federations set to halt activities. The strike will run from 7 AM to 7 PM on October 22 and is expected to heavily impact the Port of Santos.
The action, announced on 17 October, serves as a warning to the federal government as workers protest a proposed bill that would remove some labor rights for freelance and port workers. The bill, scheduled...
Check Out The Super-EST Market In Town: Lidl Relaunches Brand In The US
Grocery shopping... as just another errand? Couldn't be us!
Buckle up, because Lidl US is here to take your tastebuds on a joyride through the aisles, offering the highest quality products at the lowest prices.
Introducing The Super-EST Market
We're putting the "super" in supermarket (make that The Super-EST Market) by delivering a curated collection of private label picks, global imports, and everyday name brands. With 170+ stores woven through neighborhoods across nine East Coast states and Washington, D.C...
ALDI Commits to Thanksgiving Prices Lower Than 2019, Feeding 10 People for Less than $47
This holiday season, ALDI is offering its lowest-priced Thanksgiving basket in five years – a full meal for 10 people at less than $47.* With reports showing grocery prices are up 50% across the industry on hundreds of items compared to 2019,** shoppers will get welcome relief at ALDI on their favorite Thanksgiving fixings.
Throughout the Thanksgiving season, holiday hosts can shop ALDI for all the fresh ingredients and award-winning products they need to assemble...
BrucePac Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Editor’s Note: October 17, 2024 – FSIS is working diligently to identify all recalled products that were distributed to consumers, including those purchased by schools. A preliminary list of schools that received products that include BrucePac recalled ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry have been added. The products that went to these schools were not part of USDA’s National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs; schools also purchase food directly from other vendors. FSIS will continue to update this...
NCC Elects New Officers; Peco Foods’ Bill Griffith Installed as Chairman
The National Chicken Council (NCC) has installed the four officers that will guide the organization through 2025. The installation took place at NCC’s 69th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Bill Griffith, Chief Operations Officer at Peco Foods, will serve as 2024-2025 Chairman.
Bill has more than 25 years of management experience in the food industry and is known for his strong reputation for innovation, sustainability and quality...
ANALYSIS: Turkeys Stuck at Home, Exports Drop in August
On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, total turkey export volumes were down -10% in August, while total export values were up 4%. These numbers could suggest a combination of a few factors. First, export buyers may have been buying less overall production, but the production they were purchasing may have been of a higher value than the previous year.Second, in the case of Mexico, an average YoY increase in the strength of the Mexican peso to the U.S. dollar may have supported Mexican buyers. Last, but certainly not less...
Americans’ Appetite for Fresh Foods Drives Consolidation in Convenience Stores
Consumer demand for fresh food is transforming US convenience stores. Stores with dine-in options account for 58% of spending, driven by larger chains’ expansion and M&A.
In the US, consumer spending at convenience stores (c-stores) that offer fresh foods and beverages is increasing. These enhanced c-stores, often housed in upgraded and larger locations with dine-in options, now account for 58% of all spending at c-stores, up from 48% five years ago. Data indicates that c-stores offering a broader range of fresh food options...
Wakefern Food Corp. Acquires Di Bruno Bros. Portfolio of Branded Products
Wakefern Food Corp. today announced the acquisition of the Di Bruno Bros. portfolio of specialty products that are currently distributed nationally to wholesale and retail customers.
A pioneering specialty food retailer and purveyor of gourmet cheeses and cured meats in the Philadelphia area since 1939, Di Bruno Bros. was also one of the first specialty grocers online when it began selling its products nationwide in 1998.
The five Di Bruno Bros. retail locations and a bottle shop in Philadelphia were recently acquired by DB Gourmet Markets...
The Retail Rundown: Eggs Rule the Roost During Baking Season
As October reaches its midpoint, many homes are filled with the irresistible aromas of freshly baked goods, marking the onset of the holiday baking season.
This seasonal shift benefits the egg case as eggs find their way into breads, cookies, pastries, pies, and more. Also, more consumers are reaching for hot breakfasts as the weather turns colder, which further boosts egg demand.
Data from Circana shows that the average retail feature price for large, white Grade A eggs averaged $3.72 per dozen last week...
Circana Reveals Value-Based Deals, Not Just Price, Drive 54 Billion Global Foodservice Visits
The foodservice industry is experiencing a fundamental shift in consumer behavior, with value emerging as the primary driver behind purchasing decisions worldwide, accounting for 54 billion visits annually, according to the latest Circana™ research. As inflation continues to challenge household budgets, consumers are looking beyond the lowest price point, prioritizing value, quality, and flexibility.
The emphasis on value is reshaping how foodservice operators approach their deal strategies. Visits driven by deal-based occasions grew faster than non-deal...
ANALYSIS: China’s Sept 2024 Meat Imports Slump 4.3% M-o-M; Ends Two-Month Growth Streak
China’s total meat imports, including variety meats fell in September 2024, amounting to 540,543 metric tonnes (mt), according to the latest preliminary figures from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China.
On a monthly basis, imports slipped 4.3% (-24,559 mt), partially affected by the shorter working month due to the observance of the Mid-Autumn festivities.
Annually, imports plummeted by 9.2% (-54,457 mt) in September, marking the eighth consecutive month since the start of the year...
Meat Institute Approves New Officers and Board Members
Following a successful Protein PACT Summit focused on turning sustainability goals into action, the Meat Institute elected key new officers, Executive Board members and full Board of Directors members for 2025.
“The members elected a slate of leaders who will continue to serve the industry and guide Meat Institute resources to addressing important challenges in workforce safety, sustainability, animal welfare, food security and food safety,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute.
Officers
James Snee, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive...
Albertsons Companies, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results
Albertsons Companies, Inc. (the "Company") today reported results for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, which ended September 7, 2024.
Second Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Highlights
"In the second quarter of fiscal 2024, investments in our Customers...
Publix Senior Vice President Announces Retirement Plan
Today, Publix Super Markets CEO Kevin Murphy announced the retirement plan of Senior Vice President of Product Business Development Dave Bornmann after 41 years of dedicated service and the promotion of two officers effective Jan. 1, 2025.
“We are grateful for Dave’s more than four decades of dedicated service to Publix, our associates and the communities we serve,” said Murphy. “He’s been a strong leader keenly focused on growing and supporting our supplier relationships, store merchandising and replenishment, as well as emerging business and health and wellness initiatives...
ANALYSIS: The U.S 2024 Ups and Downs of Inside Rounds
As cooler temperatures bring in roasting season, let's take a look at a favorite, inside rounds. This item has seen a year of heightened volatility, which started back in Q1. They have broken all-time record highs for March at $3.76/lb; this is 35% above year-ago levels and roughly 40% over the 5-year average for this time. If we look back to the middle of June, inside rounds saw a sharp price increase. This item rose 15% in about a month...
ANALYSIS: Chicken Export Volumes in August
Total chicken exports were up 3.5% from July to August, compared to a 5-year average month-over-month (MoM) change of 4.6%. Of the twenty countries listed in the USDA’s monthly import/export report, thirteen of them had increased MoM export volumes in August, but only seven of them were up year-over-year (YoY). This aligns with the year-long trend of lower export volumes in which the current year-to-date (YTD) value of 4.4 billion lbs. is -8.6% lower YoY and is...
ANALYSIS: US Pork Exports Rise 6.2% Year-Over-Year in August, Led by Central & South American Gains
On Wednesday, the USDA released their August import/export trade data. The latest report reveals mixed results for U.S. pork exports in August. While overall exports saw a slight decline of 1.1% compared to July, they continued to increase by 6.2% year-over-year.
Notable success was achieved in Central America, where exports surged by 5.9% from the previous month and a remarkable 31.3% from last year, driven by strong demand in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, and Guatemala...
Fire at Aviagen's Hatchery in Paraná, Brazil
On 12 October, a fire broke out at Aviagen's breeder production hatchery in Carambeí, Paraná. An official statement from Aviagen América Latina, shared with Expana, confirmed that the damages were only material, with all staff members reported safe.
Local media reported that the fire spread across various sections of the facility, prompting the involvement of military firefighters to support the local firefighting efforts due to the severity of the situation.
Aviagen is a global supplier of broiler breeder stock. The unit in Carambeí was reported as important for the supply of chicks to...
Butterball® Unveils a Stress-Free Solution for Holiday Hosts: Cook from Frozen Premium Whole Turkey
Today, Butterball, LLC introduced the Butterball Cook from Frozen Premium Whole Turkey, an innovative offering for seasoned and novice Thanksgiving hosts alike. Created with convenience in mind, the new Cook from Frozen turkey requires just two easy steps: unwrap and roast. There's no thawing, no mess and no stress, resulting in an effortless Thanksgiving centerpiece.
The most popular questions received by the Butterball® Turkey Talk-Line® are consistently about how and when to thaw a turkey...
Introducing Canada Packers Inc.
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (Maple Leaf Foods or the Company) today unveiled that Canada Packers Inc. (Canada Packers) will be the future name of the new pork company once it completes the previously announced separation of its pork business as a new independent, public company.
“We are thrilled to launch Canada Packers as the new name for our future independent pork company,” said Dennis Organ, President of Maple Leaf Foods’ Pork Complex and incoming CEO of Canada Packers. “This choice reflects our deep respect for the history and legacy of this iconic...
Perdue Champions New Standards For "Pasture-Raised" Labeling at Ninth Annual Animal Care Summit
The new labeling guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture redefines "pasture-raised" as chickens that spend the majority of their lives physically on pasture
Perdue Farms, a leader in animal care, no-antibiotics-ever and innovative regenerative farming practices, is setting a new standard for transparency in the poultry industry with its successful petition for a more accurate guideline to the "pasture-raised" label. Perdue's pioneering raising models, which align with the new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines...
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ANALYSIS: Breaking Out the Chicken Production Roadmap