McDonald’s Adds McCrispy Strips and Creamy Chili Dip to Permanent Menu

As temperatures rise, quick-service restaurants are adjusting menus to satisfy seasonal cravings. In its effort to expand offerings, McDonald’s turned to its customers—on social media and beyond—to ask what they wanted most. The overwhelming answer: more chicken.

Responding to that demand, McDonald’s is launching its first permanent menu addition since 2021. Starting May 5, the brand will debut its new McCrispy Strips, served with a Creamy Chili Dip.

"Since stepping into my new role as a leader of the U.S. business this year...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Announces Leadership Transition

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has announced the resignation of its President and Chief Executive Officer, G.J. Hart, after more than five years of leadership at the company.

During his tenure, Mr. Hart implemented key initiatives that significantly enhanced the guest experience and repositioned Red Robin as an operations-focused brand.

Effective immediately, David A. Pace will succeed Mr. Hart as President and CEO.

To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Hart will continue to serve in an advisory role through September.

Pace, current Chairman of the...

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 1,031 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...

ANALYSIS: 2025 YTD Turkey Poult Placements Down 4.0%: Hen Supply Hit Hardest

Year-to-date (YTD) poult placements in 2025 hover an average of 4.0% below the 5-year average. This is a continuation of the ongoing trend of below-average supplies. While HPAI cases are less frequent and the new avian metapneumovirus vaccines are starting to be implemented, the losses sustained by the industry leave a lasting impact that is not quickly overcome. For these reasons, hatcheries only have so many eggs they can set, and growers are also restricted on the number of birds...

ANALYSIS: US Pork Production Trails 2024 Amid Herd Contraction, Disease, and Export Uncertainty

Year-to-date (YTD) total pork production volumes for 2025 are trending 0.4% below 2024, as a shrinking breeding herd and disease outbreaks have contributed to reduced output. The USDA’s latest Hogs and Pigs report revealed a five-year low in both breeding inventory (5.98 million head) and farrowing sows (2.9 million head), directly impacting the number of pigs available for slaughter.

While the market hog inventory stands at 68.5 million head—down just 0.3% year-over-year—this is largely offset by...

ANALYSIS: Broiler Production Outlook Brings Expectation of Gains

As we approach the tail end of April, protein market participants are weighing a number of variables as they attempt to hone their expectations for the road which lies ahead. For stakeholders in the chicken sector, concerns around disease, low hatchability, and live weights remain front and center.

Despite persistent uncertainty, the second-quarter broiler production expectations are projected to post the largest year-over-year (YoY) increase among all of the major protein categories. According to the Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry Outlook, the latest Q2 forecast stands...

NCC Statement on Withdrawal of Salmonella Framework

NCC today released the following statement in response to FSIS withdrawing the proposed Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products:

“We remain committed to further reducing Salmonella and fully support food safety regulations and policies that are based on sound science, robust data, and are demonstrated to meaningfully impact public health,” said Ashley Peterson, Ph.D., NCC senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs.

Peterson said as it was written, though, this Framework:

• Was legally unsound;
• Relied on misinterpretations of the science;
• Would have had no meaningful impact...

Mother’s Day Wishes Revealed According to OpenTable Research

Mother’s Day is meant to be a time of pampering and appreciation, but for many moms, the planning still lands on their to-do list.

According to research from OpenTable, 44% of moms say having others make plans to celebrate them is what makes Mother’s Day truly special. Yet, despite this, 39% of moms end up making their own reservations.

It's no wonder nearly 30%, nearly a third, say what they’re most looking forward to is some well-deserved “me time” and a chance...

Chipotle Reports Q1 2025 Revenue Growth Despite Avocado Cost Pressures 

California-based chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. reported its first-quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2025.

First quarter highlights, year over year:

• Total revenue increased 6.4% to $2.9 billion
• Comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.4%
• Operating margin was 16.7%, an increase from 16.3%
• Restaurant level operating margin was 26.2%, a decrease from 27.5%
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.28, a 7.7% increase from $0.26
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.29, a 7.4% increase from $0.27

Perdue AgriBusiness and Eion Ink First-Of-Its-Kind Carbon Removal Deal

Eion, a company turning the proven science of enhanced rock weathering (ERW) into a scalable climate solution, today announced a carbon insetting agreement with Perdue AgriBusiness, a subsidiary of Perdue Farms.

Through this deal, Perdue grain farmers will remove approximately 3,500 tons of CO2 by applying olivine—a naturally abundant mineral it has optimized to weather quickly on farmland across the Mid-Atlantic. Notably, this is the first instance in which a company is deploying an enhanced rock weathering solution within its own supply...

The Retail Rundown: Post-Easter Pause Sets Stage for Protein Push

With Easter now in the rearview, retailers will largely tread water, positioning themselves for a seasonal surge in demand ahead of the start of summer.

Grilling demand is beginning to build toward a Memorial Day crescendo, prompting grocers to build inventory and plan aggressive promotions to jumpstart the season. 

But first up is Cinco de Mayo. While it's a smaller holiday, it can still drive foot traffic. Proteins like pork, steak, and chicken are expected to see solid movement as shoppers make tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and other festive fare...

ANALYSIS: EU Egg Product Market Enters Spring with Mixed Signals

As the market returns from the Easter break, a cautious sentiment continues to shape the industrial egg sector. Demand remained subdued in the lead-up to the holidays, with buyers showing strong resistance to elevated asking prices and instead pushing for more favourable terms. Consequently, shell egg prices continued
their downward trend in the week heading into Easter...

ANALYSIS: China’s Q1 2025 Beef Imports Falls 11.6% YoY to 681,607 mt

China's total beef imports for the first quarter of the 2025 calendar year plunged to 681,607 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Inbound shipments fell by 11.6% year-on-year (YoY), the 89,662 mt decline was led by reduced volumes from Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and New Zealand. However, strong volumes from the United States (US) and Australia helped cushion the overall decline.

Supply from South America Slides

Volumes from China’s...

Farm Bureau Calls for Clarity in WOTUS

The American Farm Bureau Federation today asked for changes to the “Waters of the United States” rule to bring it in line with the Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court ruling, which called for more clarity in water regulations. AFBF submitted comments in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s request for recommendations.

“Considering drains, ditches, stock ponds, impoundments, irrigation ditches, and low spots in farm fields and pastures as jurisdictional ‘waters’ opens the door to regulation of ordinary farming activities that move dirt or apply products to...

America’s Egg Farmers Recognized for Their Vital Role in the Iconic National Celebration

America’s egg farmers took center stage at the 2025 White House Easter Egg Roll, where their nearly 50-year legacy of supporting this beloved national tradition was celebrated like never before. Representing egg farmers nationwide, the American Egg Board (AEB) helped bring this year’s celebration to life, continuing a longstanding partnership that highlights the essential role of eggs in Easter festivities and the hardworking farmers who produce them.

In addition to donating real eggs used throughout the event and presenting the First Lady’s...

Young American Food Brands Acquires Best Provision Co., Expanding Premium Meat Offerings

Young American Food Brands has announced its fourth acquisition since 2022 with the purchase of Best Provision Co., an 87-year-old pioneer in premium smoked and cooked meats.

Since 2022, Young American has steadily expanded its portfolio with the acquisitions of Hofmann Sausage, Brooklyn Burger, and Devault Foods. The addition of Best Provision further strengthens the company’s position in the premium meat category, particularly in the fully cooked and smoked segment.

A respected industry leader with deep roots in the community...

Baldor Specialty Foods Acquires Golden Packing, Launches Golden Meat Co.

Baldor Specialty Foods announced today the acquisition of Golden Packing, a premium meat company based in the Hunts Point Cooperative Market. As part of the acquisition, the business will operate under a new name: Golden Meat Co.

This strategic move aims to vertically integrate Baldor’s meat processing operations by combining its high-end sourcing capabilities with Golden’s expert butchering—all while preserving the brand’s established reputation for quality.

With this acquisition, Baldor expands its portfolio of premium, portioned meats, offering chef customers enhanced labor savings and...

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Pork Carnitas Products 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert on behalf of Cargill Meat Solutions.

The alert follows a routine inspection that revealed equipment damage, raising concerns that pork carnitas products may be contaminated with metal fragments.

The potentially affected items were produced between April 1 and April 2, 2025, bear establishment number “EST. 46049” within the USDA mark of inspection, and were distributed to Aldi supermarkets nationwide.

These products are sold in 16-ounce...

ANALYSIS: Turkey HPAI Update - Week of 4/6/25

Outbreak Summary

On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, approximately 1.67 million turkeys have been lost to HPAI in 2025. This is up 499% year-over-year (YoY) and is down 56% from 2022 when the outbreak began. Of the turkeys impacted this year, 3% have been commercial breeder hens, 1% have been commercial breeder replacement hens, and 96% have been commercial meat birds. There have been 11 unique states impacted which is the largest YTD value since the start of the outbreak, up 83% YoY and up...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Facing Pressure Despite Easter 

Wholesale cage-free egg prices continue to decline, with a 34ct drop recorded over the past seven days. This ongoing slide comes during Easter—typically a key seasonal driver for the category—but this year, elevated pricing and minimal promotional activity have significantly dampened consumer interest.

Demand has softened over the past seven weeks, as shelf prices often hovering at or above $5.00/dozen have prompted more cautious shopping behavior. In response, most retailers have scaled back orders to match slower movement, resulting in a buildup of inventory in...

Exclusive International Trade Centre Interview: Implications of Trump’s Tariff Regime

Julia Spies is the Chief of Trade and Market Intelligence for the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Switzerland. Spies and team analyze trade information and publish findings about market-specific trade intelligence on multiple online platforms, like Tradebriefs.intracen.org.

Recent shifts in the world of trade, including the latest round of United States tariffs and trade measures by other countries, has kept Spies and company busy, to say the least.

However, ITC members have watched trade measures, and in particular their impact on developing countries, long before these recent changes...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Hatchery Trends Signal Supply-Side Expansion Amid Market Volatility

Although prevailing Q2 marketing conditions remain broadly bullish across much of the chicken complex, the environment is far from sedate as market participants navigate a constantly evolving set of challenges. Widespread disease concerns, shifts in average live weights, and ongoing global trade tensions continue to cloud visibility for speculative buyers and sellers alike. Amid this uncertainty, industry stakeholders are focusing on one of the more predictable components of the supply chain: Hatchery performance.

The most recent weekly hatchery figures reflect a familiar year-over-year... 

ANALYSIS: Korea’s Q1 2025 Beef Imports Grow 2.7% Y-o-Y to 142,015 mt

Korea’s beef imports in the first quarter of 2025 totaled 142,015 metric tons (mt), rising a modest 2.7% year-on-year (YoY), according to the latest data from Korea Customs Service.

The 3,792 mt increase was driven by higher in-bound shipments from Australia and Canada, while volumes from the United States (US) and New Zealand declined. Australian exports climbed early in 2025 as importers front-loaded in-quota volumes on the back of of an early trigger of the 2024 safeguard threshold...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

Cal-Maine Foods Announces Pricing of Secondary Offering of Common Stock 

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 2,978,740 shares of its common stock by the four daughters of the Company’s late founder, Fred R. Adams, Jr., Dinnette Adams Baker, Luanne Adams, Nancy Adams Briggs and Laurel Adams Krodel, and Adolphus B. Baker, Board Chair, at a public offering price of $92.75 per share. Subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, the offering is expected to close on April 17, 2025.

In anticipation of the Offering, all outstanding shares...

Walmart Opens New Distribution Center in Florida

Walmart cut the ribbon on its newest distribution center. The facility is located at 1511 Zoo Parkway in Jacksonville, Florida. It will receive and process items for delivery to 18 Sam's Club locations across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and 7 other clubs in Puerto Rico. It was will also store and sort imported goods for delivery to four distribution centers across the Southeast.

“Jacksonville is continuing to build its reputation as a logistics hub and the place to be to reach customers throughout the Southeast...

ANALYSIS: Trade Tensions Reshape Pork Feet Market Dynamics

The current tariff structure between the US and China continues to weigh heavily on US pork exports—particularly variety meats like front and hind feet, which have traditionally found supportive demand from China due to active interest and limited US domestic buying. However, retaliatory measures have made access more restrictive. As of April 2025, China maintains retaliatory tariffs on US pork totaling around 84%, following US tariff increases on Chinese goods to 145%. These duties sharply reduce US pork’s competitiveness in the Chinese market...

ANALYSIS: US Pork Exports Face Global Headwinds According to Latest USDA Report 

Total US pork exports in February were down 2% from January and 4.8% year-over-year (YoY), totaling 565.2 million pounds. While strong demand in Mexico and Central America persisted, this was countered by weaker volumes to Japan and South Korea. Exports to China, while 17.4% higher than February 2024, were down 10.9% from January 2025.  This decline is partly attributed to seasonal factors, ongoing political challenges, and uncertainty surrounding plant eligibility for export, which hadn't been resolved until mid-March...

ANALYSIS: Mexico Feeder Cattle Exports Show Recovery by March 2025

Mexico’s feeder cattle exports to the United States faced a significant disruption after the New World screwworm was detected in November 2024, prompting a trade suspension. Exports resumed in February 2025 through limited ports under strict inspection protocols, starting with San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, and Agua Prieta, Sonora, via the Santa Teresa and Douglas ports of entry. By March 2025, Nogales became the fourth operational port, while other ports are still awaiting authorization to install inspection pens. 

As of March 31, 2025, exports reached 75,157 head...

Campbell’s Announces Key Leadership Changes to Drive Growth in Snack Division

The Campbell’s Company has announced the resignation of Chris Foley, a longtime company veteran and President of the Snacks division.

Effective May 12, 2025, Foley will be succeeded by Elizabeth Duggan, who will lead the continued growth and margin expansion of Campbell’s Snacks business.

Duggan joined Campbell’s in 2019 as Senior Vice President of the Transformation Office. In 2022, she was appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager of Campbell’s Canadian business, where she delivered strong revenue and earnings growth... 

Kroger Appoints Key Retail Leaders

Kroger appointed Joe Kelley, president of the Colorado-based King Soopers & City Markets division, to be senior vice president of Retail Divisions. Kelley is an industry veteran of nearly 40 years. He has held a number of executive leadership roles across a variety of retailers, including Price Chopper, Stop and Shop, Star Market, and Shaws Supermarkets. Kelley joined the Kroger enterprise in 2019.

"Joe is a customer-centric leader who brings broad industry experience, with a strong track record of making stores great places to shop," said Ron Sargent, Chairman and...