ANALYSIS: Rising Broiler Weights: Understanding the Factors Driving Growth and Market Implications

Based on weekly data from the USDA, in 1998 the average live weight of broilers at the processing plant was 4.87 lbs. By 2024, that number had risen 34.1% to a value of 6.52 lbs. During every one of those 26 years, average live weights were either maintained or increased from the year prior. In fact, in 2015 there was as much as a 3.4% increase year-over-year (YoY). Now, as data for the first month of 2025 comes in, the trend of YoY gains in...

ANALYSIS: Mexico-US Cattle Trade Suspension Impact

The US Department of Agriculture suspended Mexican cattle imports in late November 2024 after detecting New World Screwworm in Southern Mexico. This finding triggered immediate trade restrictions, resulting in estimated losses of roughly 270,000 head through January 2025. December-January trade historically represents 15% of annual cattle movement between both nations. After more than two months of suspended operations and extensive protocol reviews, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) worked with Mexican authorities to establish comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment procedures...

Sonny’s BBQ Names George McAllan as New Chief Growth Officer

Sonny’s BBQ, the industry-leading BBQ restaurant rooted in quality food and spreading kindness, announced today the addition of George McAllan, new Chief Growth Officer, to the Sonny’s leadership team. George brings decades of experience working in both the franchisor and franchisee roles.

“George’s extensive experience leading operations for some of America’s most-loved restaurant brands is an incredible asset to our team as we continue to expand our footprint and serve our famous BBQ to fans across the South and beyond,” said Jamie...

Lawmakers Sound Alarm as Musk's 'DOGE' Enter NOAA Offices

A pair of US lawmakers claimed that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has unlawfully gained access to the federal government and now has the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in its sights.

In a joint statement, US House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) said that DOGE has reached NOAA and is “wreaking havoc on the scientific and regulatory systems that protect American families’ safety and jobs...

Watch Out for Food and Beverage Companies with Big Game Commercials

It’s nearly time for “The Birds” to face the reigning champions in New Orleans. Food and beverage brands with creative advertising teams and big budgets wait all year to show off their best commercials in the short time they have with viewers’ undivided attention.

Such advertisements are impressive enough to instill annual recall and yearly expectations. Brands like Budweiser, Pepsico, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, or Doritos are oft-anticipated after years of advertising during the big game.

In 2025, a 30-second national spot during the broadcast...

Yike Food Partners with Shandong Guangming Bio on Broiler Breeding Projects 

Yike Food, a Chinese poultry processor, has signed an agreement with Shandong Guangming Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a Chinese broiler breeder, to collaborate on industry development initiatives. The two companies will jointly build and share external resources, co-apply for, and undertake national and provincial-level boiler breeding projects. 

Additionally, the partners plan to invest in new broiler breeding bases in Shandong and other regions of China. As part of the agreement, Shandong Guangming Bio will prioritize supplying high-quality breeding stock to Yike Food to support...

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 951 dairy operations across 16 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...

Panera Bread Announces Santhosh Kumar as Chief Information Officer

Panera Bread, a leader and pioneer in the fast casual restaurant industry, today announced that Santhosh Kumar has joined the company as Chief Information Officer, effective February 12, reporting to Interim CEO Paul Carbone. Kumar will lead the company’s technology organization, responsible for the development, integration and deployment of technology across more than 2,200 Panera cafes. In his new role, Kumar will partner with the Panera Bread leadership team and franchisees to drive an exceptional team member and guest experience.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Santhosh to the Panera Bread leadership team...

US Agricultural Workforce on High Alert Amid Immigration Crackdown

The US agricultural workforce is on edge due to fears of potential raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a renewed focus on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. According to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Economic Research Service (ERS), 42% of crop farmworkers lacked legal work authorization in the U.S. between 2020 and 2022. With the agricultural sector heavily reliant on immigrant labor, the possibility of stricter enforcement has sparked widespread concern across the industry.

Farmworkers' concerns have made national headlines, including...

Industry Leaders Prepare for its Next Big Marketing Moment- Valentine’s Day 

It seems like just yesterday we stowed away the holiday décor and swept up the last of the silver and gold tinsel, but retailers have swiftly pivoted to the next big marketing moment: Valentine’s Day—a day to, quite literally, put your money where your mouth is.

Just seven and a half weeks after Christmas, nearly 40% of those who celebrate Valentine’s spend on dinner out. But with disease outbreaks and geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains and costs, can consumers still afford a proper Valentine’s...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s January Beef Exports Ease into 2025 at 81,050 mt

Australia’s beef exports in January 2025 fell 36.4% month-on-month (m-o-m) to 81,050 metric tons (mt), according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF).

The 46,343 mt decline aligned with historical trends, as shipments contracted from December 2024’s strong 127,393 mt.

Asian importers’ preference for receiving products before the Lunar New Year led to higher shipments in December rather than January, particularly for Korea and China, which began receiving in-quota products on January 1. Australia’s seasonal shutdown and...

ANALYSIS: US Tariffs could Shift Export Gains Against Rising Costs for Brazil

President Trump’s trade war could reshape trade flows by driving countries like Mexico and China toward Brazil or forcing them to negotiate with the US in an attempt to avoid tariffs. Simultaneously, a strong USD would likely lead to inflation in Brazil by increasing import costs and boosting export volumes, leading to higher domestic prices in Brazil.

Tariffs will either force buyers closer to Brazil or to negotiate with the US. Should a new wave of tariffs lead to a decrease in the competitiveness of...

ANALYSIS: Uruguay’s Beef Exports Kick Off 2025 with 17.4% Monthly Growth, Up 3.9% Y-o-Y

Uruguay’s beef exports surged in January 2025, reaching 31,750 MT, marking a 17.4% increase M-o-M from December 2024’s 27,038 MT and a 3.9% rise Y-o-Y from January 2024’s 30,544 MT. While the overall trend shows resilience, the composition of shipments reveals shifting market dynamics, particularly concerning China’s slowing demand and the US’s growing share.

Shipments to China, the largest buyer, totaled 12,742 MT, capturing 40.1% of Uruguay’s total exports, which represents a 12.1% M-o-M increase. However...

Meat Institute Expands Legislative Affairs and Marketing Teams with New Hires

The Meat Institute today announced the expansion of its legislative affairs and marketing teams with the addition of two new employees. (photos available by email request to slittle@meatinstitute.org.)

Chris Chaffee joins the Meat Institute as Director of Legislative Affairs working with Vice President of Legislative Affairs Nathan Fretz advocating for the meat and poultry industry with members of congress and federal officials. Chaffee will also help manage the Meat Institute’s Political Action Committee, MeatPAC.

“Chris Chaffee has extensive experience in advocacy, as well as serving in various...

KFC® Teams Up with Mike's Hot Honey for a Match Made in Flavor Heaven

KFC® is bringing the heat—and the sweet—to its menu like never before with a new menu item available for a limited time only. The home of world-famous Original Recipe® fried chicken has teamed up with Mike's Hot Honey®, America's favorite hot honey brand, to create a mouthwatering, unforgettable new take on KFC's famous finger lickin' good® chicken.

Starting Feb. 9, just in time for the big game, savor the irresistible combination of KFC's world-famous...

Freddy's Promotes Erin Walter to Chief Marketing Officer

Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® announced today the promotion of Erin Walter to chief marketing officer (CMO).

As the newly appointed CMO, Erin Walter will oversee all aspects of the company's marketing initiatives, working closely with the executive team to drive brand awareness, guest engagement, and overall business growth. Her innovative leadership style and strategic thinking are expected to bring a fresh perspective to the company's marketing strategies.

"Erin's talent and dedication have greatly benefited our team. Her strategic vision and creativity have been...

Pennsylvania State Police Investigating Egg Heist

Pennsylvania State Police are working to crack the case of a large egg heist, reported Fox News. Approximately 100,000 eggs were stolen from the rear portion of a Pete & Gerry’s Organics distribution center in Antrim Township, PA just south of Greencastle. 

The number of eggs stolen would be roughly one-third of a full load, according to Ryan Hojnowski, an Egg Market Reporter for Expana. 

This news comes at a time when egg prices are setting and breaking all-time highs almost weekly. Largely, the high price of this staple kitchen commodity...

HORMEL® Pepperoni Is Spreading The Love This Valentine’s Day With  Heart-To-Heart Pizza Kits

The first come first serve kits feature the brand’s first-ever heart-shaped pepperonis and everything you need to satisfy a romantic’s taste for love

Roses are red, and pepperonis are too; this Valentine’s Day, the makers of HORMEL® Pepperoni are bringing dinner to you. For the first time ever, the makers of HORMEL® Pepperoni are releasing limited edition Heart-to-Heart kits, the ultimate at-home Valentine’s Day pizza kit with every ingredient needed to celebrate accordingly, featuring...

ANALYSIS: From Steady to Skyrocketing: The Unprecedented Rise of Fresh Turkey Thigh Meat Prices

On January 21, the fresh turkey thigh meat quotation reached a record level that has steadily risen since then. Still, thigh meat supplies remain nearly nonexistent, and some sellers toss around asking prices that are nearly 24% higher than the previous all-time high of $2.02. This begs the questions: How did we get to this point, and where do we go from here?

Like many high-powered objects, the energy needed for rocketing prices has been slowly accumulating in the...

Checkers & Rally's and John Soules Foods Bring Popular Chicken Bites to the Freezer Aisle

Checkers & Rally's, the iconic drive-thru restaurant chain known for its bold, craveable food at an unbeatable value, has teamed up with John Soules Foods to bring its fan-favorite Chicken Bites to freezer aisles nationwide.

As consumers continue to seek restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of their own homes, the new Checkers & Rally's Chicken Bites deliver just that. Made with all-white meat chicken, these fully cooked, crispy bites are seasoned to perfection, offering the same bold flavor that Checkers & Rally's guests know...

Cracker Barrel to Deploy Cheese Distributing Robots in New Orleans

Cracker Barrel will deploy cheese distributing robots to fans before “The Birds” face the reigning champions in New Orleans, according to a company press release.

From Thursday, February 6, to Sunday, February 9, Cracker Barrel’s 50-bot fleet of AI-powered food delivery robots will serve individually-wrapped cheese sticks to fans who must scan a QR code to receive the free cheese.

Nearby contracts for common cheddar cheese are valued at $1.89/lb, according to Expana.

The refrigerated, Roomba-esque robots will crawl streets and tailgate lots...

ANALYSIS: Tourism Boom Aids Japan's 2024 Total Beef Imports to Rise 4.4% Y-o-Y Despite Weak Yen

Japan’s 2024 total beef imports rose 4.4% year-on-year to 526,166 metric tons (mt), according to the latest statistics by Trade Statistics of Japan.

As the world’s third-biggest beef importer, inbound tonnage was 22,227 mt higher compared to the previous year, aided by its tourism boom. Higher volumes from Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay supported this growth, while supply from the United States (US) slumped as it grappled with its lowest herd size in 73 years...

DJ’s Boudain LLC Recalls Sausage Link Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

D.J.’s Boudain, LLC, a Beaumont, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 17,720 pounds of boudain sausage link products that may be contaminated with foreign materials, specifically pieces of a pen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The fresh and frozen boudain sausage link items were produced on January 23, 2025. A list of the products subject to recall can be found here: [view product list]. The labels for the impacted products can be found here: [view labels]...

What Trump Tariffs Mean for Food and Agriculture Trade

US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.

Tariffs for Canada and China are in effect as of February 4, while the tariffs on Mexico have been delayed for one month following negotiations with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who agreed to send 10,000 members of her country’s national guard to the border to address drug trafficking... 

Trudeau: Trump Will Pause Tariffs on Canada for 30 Days

As of Monday evening, US President Trump will postpone 25% tariffs on Canada, Reuters reported after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote an X post about the matter.

After the day's second conversation with Trump, Trudeau wrote:

"I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting..."

Calling All Tender Lovers: Jollibee's NEW Chicken Tenders and Sauce Are Here!

Global restaurant sensation, Jollibee, world-famous for its crispy and juicy Chickenjoy fried chicken, joyfully delicious Chicken Sandwiches, and irresistible Peach Mango Pie, is unveiling its new mouth-watering Chicken Tenders and creamy Signature Tender Sauce across the U.S. Recently crowned "the best fast-food fried chicken" in America by USA TODAY, Jollibee is bringing its signature quality to the beloved chicken tender. Now Jollibee fans have even more to rave about with the new Chicken Tender recipe and Signature Tender Sauce, ensuring satisfaction anytime a craving hits...

Krispy Krunchy Chicken Introduces New Chicken Nuggets

Krispy Krunchy Chicken®, one of the fastest-growing hot food concepts in the convenience store business with over 3,200 locations, is serving up BIG flavor in bite-sized form with its brand-new Chicken Nuggets menu item. Starting today, customers can enjoy these golden, crispy, juicy nuggets that raise the bar on the competition, resetting expectations for just how good a nugget can be.

The new Chicken Nuggets are made with whole-muscle white chicken breast, marinated in a proprietary blend of seasonings and coated in a special “krunchy” breading...

Report Finds More Than 90% of Shoppers Now Purchase Groceries Both In-Store and Online

As grocery shopping enters a new era of digital transformation, FMI—The Food Industry Association and NielsenIQ (NIQ) today released their new report, Digital Engagement Transforms Grocery Shopping Cover for the Digital Engagement Transforms Grocery Shopping report, which premiered at FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference. The report finds that today, more than 90% of shoppers participate in both online and in-store shopping.

In 2017, FMI and NIQ predicted that by 2025, digitally engaged grocery shopper spending would reach $100...

Let Beef Take Your Big Game Party to the Endzone

Whether you're rooting for Kansas City or Philadelphia, fans can agree on one thing – football season is better with beef. That's why the Beef. It's What's For Dinner. brand, funded by the Beef Checkoff, is sharing some fan favorite game day recipes ahead of kickoff.

While the commercials get going and the coin toss gets underway, it's the perfect time to start off with a good dip. This Cheeseburger Dip combines ground beef with your favorite cheese and burger toppings for that classic burger taste – just dip with...

Spanish Competition Authority Fines Food Firm Alimentaria Peñasanta

Spanish food producer Alimentaria Peñasanta has been fined for acquiring Spanish dairy company Lácteas Flor de Burgos without notifying the CNMC, Spain’s Competition Authority. Alimentaria Peñasanta is part of CAPSA Food, which owns Spanish dairy brands such as Central Lechera Asturiana, Larsa, or Innova Food Ingredient. Lácteas Flor de Burgos is specialized in the production of soft cheese and yogurt. 

The acquisition took place in December 2023, but Alimentaria Peñasanta did not inform the CNMC until March 2024, violating the Spanish Competence Act 2007, the CNMC said...

ANALYSIS: Lower Cattle Kills Weigh on New Zealand's 2024 Total Beef Exports

New Zealand’s 2024 total beef exports fell 5.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 497,014 metric tons (mt), according to the latest Stats NZ data.

Slipping 29,244 mt from the previous year, outbound shipments were curtailed by lower cattle numbers and weaker performance to its once largest trading partner, China. Demand from the United States (US) helped offset this decline, particularly for lean boneless beef as its grappled with its lowest herd size since 1951. Growth in other key markets such as Canada and Japan...

US Meat Trade Faces Uncertainty Ahead of Tariff Implementation

On Thursday, President Trump reaffirmed his plan to impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada, set to take effect on February 1, 2025. He is also considering an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports.

The announcement has heightened uncertainty across many industries, including the livestock and meat sectors. The tariffs threaten to significantly disrupt live cattle shipments from Mexico and Canada, both key suppliers...

Compounding these challenges, a ban on feeder cattle imports from Mexico remains in effect following...

ANALYSIS: Frozen Pork Inventories Remain Low Despite Slight Increase

The USDA December Cold Storage report for 2024 frozen pork inventories indicated a 2.4% increase compared to November 2024.  However, this rise still left overall frozen pork stocks 6.7% below December 2023 levels, suggesting a tighter-than-expected pork supply.  Several factors likely contributed to this situation.

Firstly, pork production in 2024 was down 0.9% compared to 2023. Simultaneously, export demand remained robust throughout much of 2024, exceeding both year-over-year and ten-year average levels.

Data available through November 2024 shows weekly export totals consistently...

ANALYSIS: 2024 Mexican Beef Export Dynamics

The Mexican beef export market throughout 2024 reflected the complex interplay of macroeconomic factors and trade dynamics, resulting in significant shifts in export patterns and market behavior.

Currency movements played a pivotal role in shaping market dynamics, particularly during the first half of the year when the Mexican peso showed unprecedented strength, reaching MXN 16.43 per USD, a level not observed since 2015. This currency appreciation created challenging conditions for export operations, as it effectively reduced the competitive advantage of Mexican beef in international markets. 

The market landscape underwent a substantial...

Trump’s Political Appointments: What They Mean for Commodity Markets

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in for this second term as US President. JD Vance also took the oath of office to become the 47th Vice President.

The new President and his political appointments have dotted headlines in the agricultural commodity space and beyond–grabbing the attention of individuals worldwide. More importantly, the people Trump is bringing aboard to lead, regulate, or deregulate the country’s industries will carry with them implications for domestic and international commodity markets...

Hormel Foods Announces Retirement of Mark Ourada, Group Vice President, Foodservice, after 37 years 

Hormel Foods Corporation, a Fortune 500 global branded food company, announced the upcoming retirement of Mark Ourada, group vice president, Foodservice, following 37 years of dedicated service and leadership.

Throughout his nearly four-decade-long career with the company, Ourada has played an active role in the successful development and evolution of the $3.8 billion Foodservice business segment. He was also instrumental in the PLANTERS® brand integration and helped the company drive focus and growth in the convenience store channel...