‘A Retail Apocalypse’ Retail ‘Big-Box’ and Chain Retailers Undergo Wave of Closures
Customers who ventured into Rite Aid at Gittings Marketplace during its final week in mid-June found a shuttered pharmacy, empty refrigerator cases and an assortment of greeting cards and beauty products at 90% off, but little else.Across from the North Baltimore drugstore on York Road, a Party City sign tops a building that the balloon and party supply retailer left in February. Three miles away at Towson Place, vast pockets remain at former Bed Bath & Beyond and Walmart stores.It’s a pattern repeated across the Baltimore region and elsewhere as...
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Trump, Carney Agree to Resume US-Canada Trade Negotiations
Trade discussions between the United States and Canada resumed late Sunday after Canada announced it would withdraw its proposed digital services tax targeting major US technology firms.
On June 27, President Trump stated that due to Canada’s intention to impose a tax on US tech firms, the US would halt all trade discussions with its northern neighbor “effective immediately.”
The tax was to take effect on Monday, June 30. According to the New York Times, the 3% digital services tax on major US tech firms like Meta, Amazon and...
White Castle Debuts New Chicken Slider
There's a new Slider in town — and it's bringing a whole new flavor to America's favorite fast-food menu. White Castle, the family-owned fast-food pioneer that's been serving up steamy, craveable Sliders since 1921, is proud to debut its newest permanent menu item: the Crispy Chicken Slider. Bigger. Crispier. Cravier. And absolutely worthy of its own crown.
Made with tender, juicy all-white meat chicken, coated in a crispy buttermilk breading and drizzled with White Castle's flavorful new honeycomb mustard sauce, the Crispy Chicken Slider is sandwiched between the brand's signature...
Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Bologna Products
Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc., a Union, N.J., establishment, is recalling approximately 143,416 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna due to misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The various bologna products subject to recall contain meat or poultry source materials that are not declared on the product labels.
The ready-to-eat bologna items were produced between March 20 and June 20, 2025. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]...
ANALYSIS Comparing US Boxed Beef Cutout Values to COVID Highs Amid Current Surge
The current weekly average cutout value is $3.84/lb for Choice and $3.64/lb for Select. During the COVID-19 period, the record high for the Select cutout was a weekly average of $4.20/lb in May 2020, but prices sharply declined afterward, dropping to levels well below the five-year average. At this time in 2020, the Select cutout’s weekly average was approximately $2.10/lb, which...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Values Diverge from Conventional as Regional Demand Builds
After months of narrowing, the spread between cage-free and conventional quotations widened this week as the two markets moved in opposite directions—an uncommon divergence. Historically, both categories move in tandem, shaped by similar demand and usage dynamics...
ANALYSIS: Supply Uncertainty Looms Over the UK Beef Market
UK beef production totaled 300,000 tons between January and May 2025, marking a 10,000 tons (3%) decline compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest data. Monthly output has consistently lagged 2024 levels, underscoring a persistent downward trend and increasing concerns over supply constraints in the second half of 2025.
Despite lower production volumes, slaughter rates remained strong in the first half of 2025. In May, prime cattle slaughter rose by 3% month-on-month to 178,000 head. Market participants suggest this uptick may reflect producers capitalizing on recent strong prices...
Airgas Workers Strike Over Labor Dispute, Extend Picket Lines Across Northeast
Unionized tankhaul drivers at Airgas have gone on strike, citing alleged unfair labor practices and the company’s refusal to negotiate contracts that meet industry standards.
the workers have expanded picket lines to eight sites across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Local 701 members have reportedly been on the picket line since mid-June.
Airgas is the leading U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases; its products are used in modified atmospheric packaging (MAP), cryogenic freezing, and beverage carbonation and dispensing, among other applications. It is a subsidiary of French industrial gas giant Air Liquide
Walmart Opens First Beef Facility in Kansas
Walmart announced on Friday it had opened its first-ever owned and operated, case-ready beef facility to serve mostly Midwest customers. The 300,000+ square-foot facility is in Olathe, Kansas and will have around 600 employees.
It is connected to a 2022 investment Walmart made in Sustainable Beef LLC to improved supply chain security for Angus beef. The new “facility will package and distribute Angus cuts sourced directly from Sustainable Beef LLC to stores across the Midwest,” Walmart said.
The investment is part of Walmart’s plans to invest $350 billion in U.S.-made products by 2031...
US–China Trade Framework Advances, but Final Terms Still in Flux; Lutnick Hints at More Deals
The United States and China have inked a new trade agreement, President Donald Trump said on June 26.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mirrored the news during an interview with Bloomberg TV, stating that the deal was signed in recent days. Neither Trump nor Lutnick shared further details.
Expana reported on June 11 that Lutnick said the US and China agreed to a trade framework, and the latest comments from both Lutnick and Trump don’t seem to add much...
Study Finds 61% of US Consumers are Scaling Back on Restaurants, Spending Less on Groceries
As tariffs and inflation continue to impact consumers, Americans are spending less on food. According to Popmenu, which currently serves over 10,000 restaurants, 67% of consumers are scaling back their budgets.
The nationwide study tracked the dining and spending habits of 1,000 people 21 and older from June 16 to June 17, 2025. When asked to name the areas where they are cutting back the most, restaurants landed the number one spot, with 61% saying they are eating out less and staying in...
UNFI Restores Core Systems After Major Cyberattack Disruption
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) announced that it has safely restored the core systems its customers and suppliers use after suffering a significant cyberattack earlier this month.
“With our electronic ordering and invoicing systems back online, we are delivering products to grocery stores across our network at more normalized levels,” the company said in a June 26 statement. “We are grateful to all our customers and suppliers for their patience and partnership as our UNFI associates continue working to support their needs...
Tyson Debuts New Dino Nuggets in Time for Summer
Embark on a colossal, fun-filled adventure with Tyson Foods’ latest creation – Tyson Mega Dino Nuggets! These playful, protein-packed nuggets are your passport to a prehistoric party, perfect for both kids and anyone who’s still a kid at heart.
Inspired by the roaring success of our original dino nuggets, we've taken the fun to a whole new level with these larger, more dino-tastic bites. The new Tyson Mega Dino Nuggets chicken patties are made from the same ingredients you already know and love, now doubled in size...
ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s May 2025 Beef Exports Surge 15.7% MoM to 49,281 mt
New Zealand’s beef exports rebounded in May 2025, posting a solid 15.7% rise from April to 49,281 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Stats NZ.
Volumes rose 6,676 mt month-on-month (MoM) driven by stronger shipments to the United States (US), China, and Canada. Modest gains to the United Kingdom (UK), Taiwan, and Japan also contributed to the higher May figures.
On the contrary, annual growth continued to be hindered by lower cattle kills. Yearly figures fell 10.2% or 5,581 mt, led by reduced shipments to China and Japan. Allocations to New Zealand’s...
ANALYSIS: US Boneless Beef Cold Storage Stocks Fall in May 2025 to Lowest Level in 10 Years
The latest USDA cold storage report showed a decline of 13.7 M lbs of boneless beef in cold storage for May month-over-month (MOM) with current levels at 364.6 M lbs, which is the lowest level in the past ten years. Both lean and fat boneless beef continued to be tight throughout the month of May leading to less stored frozen product. As beef demand ramps up during the summer, especially for products like hotdogs and hamburgers, which boneless beef are key ingredients, cold storage dips as material is pulled out to supplement...
ANALYSIS: YTD EU Egg Exports Down Amid Production Challenges and High Prices
EU egg and egg product exports have declined in the first four months of 2025, dropping to 148,161 tons (egg equivalent weight) from 154,704 tons during the same period last year. This marks a 4.2% year-on-year decrease, indicating a challenging period for the European egg industry. While some export markets such as the UK and Israel have shown growth, the overall trend is downward, with notable declines in shipments to Japan and Thailand and only marginal changes in exports to Switzerland.
The primary factor behind this export contraction is the significant reduction in EU egg production, driven largely by the impact of...
Cattle Farmers and Ranchers Join President Trump to Push for Tax Relief
Today, farmers and ranchers affiliated with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House for an event rging Congress to pass the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and deliver tax relief.Kevin Kester, a fifth-generation California rancher and NCBA Past-President, attended due to his personal experience with the Death Tax.“It was an incredible honor to stand with President Trump and echo his message that America’s family farmers and ranchers need tax relief now,” said Kester. “When I was hit with the Death Tax 30 years ago, I couldn’t hire new employees, invest in equipment, or make improvements to the ranch. My family and I had to stretch every...
New Study Identifies Additional Links Between Poultry Antibiotic Use and Human Drug Resistance
A new study, published in mSphere, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, suggests some antibiotics used in conventional poultry farming may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in humans. This research, conducted by Dr. Alex Wong, Asalia Ibrahim and Jason Au of Carleton University’s Department of Biology, focuses on ionophores, a class of antibiotics commonly used in conventional poultry farming and previously described as “not important to human medicine.”
“This research underscores the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of animal...
Canada: Gay Lea Foods Sells Grober Nutrition to CG Wellington
Gay Lea Foods, a Canadian dairy cooperative, has reached an agreement to sell its Cambridge, Ontario-based animal nutrition division, Grober Nutrition, to CG Wellington Inc., a Canadian family-owned private investment firm specializing in agriculture.
Under the terms of the agreement, Grober Nutrition will continue to operate from its existing Cambridge, Ontario location. All current employees will remain in their roles. Grober Nutrition specializes in milk replacer products used in dairy nutrition. In 2019, Grober Nutrition sold its US subsidiary to Denkavit.
ANALYSIS: By-Products Market Surges on Soybean Oil Price Trends
The US by-products market, particularly fats and tallows, has encountered price increases driven by rising soybean oil trends, following the US Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO). The RVO is a plan requiring fuel companies to blend more renewable sources, such as soybean oil, into biofuels. It proposes biomass-based diesel volumes of 5.61 billion gallons for 2026 and 5.86 billion for 2027. This increased demand for soybean oil has reduced available supply, elevating prices.
The fats and tallows market initially adopted...
ANALYSIS: Retail Turkey Distribution Climbs Amid Price Hikes and Inventory Woes
So far, retail distribution of turkey is up 39.6% in June while year-to-date (YTD) it is down 1.9%. The relatively robust June distribution comes at a time when turkey prices continue to skyrocket, as evidenced by the growing gap in this year's Expana Turkey Index compared to the 5-year average.
Despite this June’s Expana Turkey Index outpacing the 5-year average by 40.7%, the average price at retail has only been up 9.7% compared to the 5-year average. This means...
ANALYSIS: May Chicken Cold Storage Maintains Seasonal Trajectory, With Some Exceptions
Chicken cold storage inventories in May rose 1% year-over-year (YOY) and held nearly flat month-over-month (MOM), posting a modest 0.1% gain. This contrasts with the five-year average May decline of 1.9% , signaling a more balanced supply environment, even as individual category trends diverge.
Breasts and breast meat stocks, the largest component of chicken cold storage outside of the “other” category, were essentially unchanged from April, down just 0.1 % versus an average 2.1% seasonal decline...
The Retail Rundown: Independence Day Deals in Focus
As the Fourth of July holiday draws closer, competition for front-page ad space among proteins is heating up. Seafood is currently leading with a 29% share, followed by beef and pork, each capturing 24%. Chicken accounts for 18%, while turkey trails at 2.6%.
Burgers and hot dogs remain backyard barbecue mainstays. Several national grocers were promoting 78–84% lean ground beef under $5 per pound, with eye-catching specials as low as $2.27 on a discounted basis.
Over Father's Day weekend...
Poland, France Push Back Against at Mercosur Deal
Annie Genevard, France’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and Czesław Siekierski, the Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, met in Paris on Wednesday. After the meeting, both showed a united front against the EU-Mercosur deal.
France and Poland have been two of the most vocal opponents to the deal signed in December, after around two decades of negotiations. They argue that the deal will not be beneficial for EU agriculture, despite its possible positive effects in other sectors.
“To put it plainly: we cannot sacrifice agriculture...
General Mills Backs Organic Push in Fresh Pet Food, But M&A Still on Table
As General Mills continues to expand its pet food footprint, the company is leaning heavily on organic growth, particularly in the fast-growing fresh pet food category, while still keeping mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as an option.
During an earnings call on June 25, Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Harmening emphasized that General Mills’ approach to category expansion is a deliberate balance between building from within and acquiring where necessary.
Harmening argued that General Mills believes it has the right investment profile
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...
As China Obstacles Persist, Promotions Move More U.S. Beef Short Plate in Korea
International demand is critical for U.S. beef short plate, about 95% of which is exported. Major destinations include Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan, where short plate is typically sliced thin, marinated and served in hot pot and Korean barbecue-style meals.
U.S. short plate commands a significant premium in these key Asian markets compared to being utilized domestically. But short plate is just one of the U.S. beef cuts entangled in the current trade impasse with China. When China imposed its countermeasures in response to U.S...
ANALYSIS: 2025 Summer Grilling Season Tightens 0X1 Strip-Ribeye Price Gap
As backyard summer cookouts ramp up, attention turns to two grilling favorites: the 0x1 boneless strip and the boneless ribeye. Currently, the 0x1 strip is priced just $0.43/lb, or 3.7% below the boneless ribeye, marking the closest price spread between the two since late February and March 2025, when they nearly reached parity at just a $0.04/lb difference.
This narrowing spread isn’t unusual. In 2024, a similar trend occurred from early April through mid-July...
Gartner Says Supply Chain Leaders Must Address Three Priorities Amid Impacts of Israel-Iran Conflict
To help organizations navigate the ongoing impacts posed by the Israel-Iran conflict, Gartner Inc. has identified three critical priorities for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) to implement now to secure their operations.
In response to the ongoing impacts from the conflict, CSCOs should:
“As the conflict between Israel and Iran oscillates, CSCOs must leverage...
Hilton Foods Builds First North American Plant in Ontario With $140M Investment
Hilton Foods Canada, a subsidiary of United Kingdom food giant Hilton Foods, will build a CAD 192 million ($140 million) facility in Brantford, Ontario.
The new facility would mark Hilton Food’s first North American plant. It will be a 230,000-square-foot food processing and warehouse distribution facility. Per the Ontario government, Hilton Foods will process protein products, including beef, pork, lamb, and seafood, for distribution centers as far as Mississauga, Cornwall and Moncton.
“Today is an exciting milestone and the official start of construction...
ANALYSIS: China’s May 2025 Beef Imports Slips 7.1% MOM to 194,529 mt
China’s total beef imports fell for the second consecutive month, dropping 7.1% month-on-month (MOM) to 194,529 mt in May 2025, according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Shipments declined by 14,832 mt, led by lower volumes from most major suppliers. Brazil was the exception, partially offsetting the overall drop.
On a year-on-year (YOY) basis, imports fell 17.0% (-39,920 mt), pressured by weak consumption, a bearish macroeconomic outlook, and higher domestic production. Sweltering summer weather...
Diageo Agrees to Sale of Italian Facility to NewPrinces
Formerly known as Newlat Food, an Italian food and drink company now called NewPrinces bought 100% of the share capital for Diageo Operations Italy, according to a Diageo press release which specified the inclusion of the Santa Vittoria production facility.
The site produces a range of alcoholic beverages, ready-to-drink products, and low and no alcohol products, according to a Diageo spokesperson.
The NewPrinces Group is already a leading player in the soft drinks market in the UK, with revenues of approximately €350 million in this category alone...
China’s New Hope Outlines Focus on Feed and Hog Farming
New Hope Liuhe reported profitability in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a renewed focus on its two core businesses: feed and hog farming. This marks the company’s first profitable quarter in three years. The company has undergone significant structural adjustments, with the pig farming division concentrating on improving breeding stock and reducing production costs. The feed division is targeting a return to competitiveness through stable and sustainable growth, the company said.
“We’ve largely emerged from the downturn, and the company is seeing an overall positive trajectory,”..
Ahold Delhaize USA Names Jason Wilson Chief Financial Officer
Wilson to Lead Financial Strategy and Operations for Largest Grocery Retail Group on the East Coast
Leading grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize USA announced that Jason Wilson, a recognized retail and finance executive in the grocery industry and longtime leader at Ahold Delhaize USA companies, has been named Chief Financial Officer. In his new position, Wilson oversees financial strategy and operations, playing an instrumental role in supporting the omnichannel growth of the U.S. businesses, delivering the company’s Growing Together strategy and 2028 commitments and ensuring strong financial controls...
QDOBA Accelerates Growth with Opening of 800th Restaurant, Surpasses 500 New Development Commitments
On the heels of a record-breaking year of growth and franchise development, QDOBA, America's rapidly growing #2 restaurant brand in the Mexican fast-casual category, today announced that the company has opened its 800th restaurant in Miami, Florida. The new restaurant, located in North Miami Beach at 14583 Biscayne Blvd, marks a significant milestone for the company, which is on track to expand to 1,600 restaurants by 2032.
"QDOBA is the best-kept secret in the restaurant industry and one of the...
South Africa Begins Vaccinating Cattle as FMD Hits Four Provinces
South Africa has kicked off a national vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The move comes after confirmed outbreaks in four provinces, the South African Ministry of Agriculture said on Monday.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen oversaw the rollout at Karan Beef’s Heidelberg feedlot. The facility, near Johannesburg in Gauteng Province, confirmed an outbreak earlier this month.
"The first batch of 900,000 vaccines arrived in South Africa last week, and we commenced with the vaccination over the weekend," Steenhuisen told reporters on-site...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Faces Cross-Sector Pull Amid Shared Supply, Divided Demand
Cage-free values held steady this week at $3.16/dozen. Despite flat quotations, behind-the-scenes movement was more dynamic, driven by a tightening spread between cage-free and conventional prices and a regional surge in demand—most notably along the West Coast.
The price gap between Urner Barry’s rest-of-market cage-free quote and the Midwest large conventional quote has narrowed to just 4cts, marking the tightest spread since the cage-free quote was introduced in 2024...
ANALYSIS: Calf Shortage Drives Veal Market Firm
The special-fed veal market remains tight as fewer calves are available and farming practices continue to change. As of January 1, 2025, the US cattle herd dropped to 86.7 million head, the lowest it has been since 1951 (USDA Cattle Inventory Report). At the same time, about 72% of dairy farms are now breeding cows with beef bulls instead of dairy bulls. This shift has led to fewer male dairy calves being born, which are the type traditionally raised for veal (Drovers; National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)...
ANALYSIS: Tight Supplies and Seasonal Demand Drive the Pork Cutout Higher
The Expana Pork Cutout has risen 26.3% since mid-April and now sits 20.6% above year-ago levels, averaging $117/cwt so far for the week of June 16. This surpasses 2022 values for the same period and is trending toward the higher levels seen in 2021 and during the 2014 PEDv market in June.
Retail demand remains strong, with bacon, ribs, and chops prominently featured as consumers shift away from higher beef prices. Ribs continue to gain momentum ahead of the July Fourth holiday...
Japan, Brazil Negotiate Brazilian Beef Exports to Japan
Japanese auditors from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) visited Brazil over June 9-13, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) said. The visit is part of the risk analysis process conducted by the Japanese government, as part of the negotiations for opening the Japanese market to Brazilian beef.
Japanese officials visited the states of Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and Paraná. The visit ended with a meeting at the Superintendence of Agriculture and Livestock in Curitiba (SFA-PR) headquarters, where Brazil presented additional information on...
South Africa To Allow Brazilian Poultry from Regions Other Than Rio Grande do Sul
South Africa will allow poultry imports from Brazil outside of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The country had banned imports of poultry products from Brazil after that country confirmed its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial farm in May. South Africa was among the group of countries, which included China and EU members, that had banned all Brazilian poultry.
Following no new cases in commercial farms, Brazil began to campaign to restart trade via regionalization agreements...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #14
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 #14."
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...
ANALYSIS: Chicken Prices Rise Despite Seasonal Record Output
According to the latest USDA slaughter data, the volume of ready-to-cook young chicken produced in April was at an all-time seasonal high with a value of nearly 4 billion pounds.
During April, some processors struggled with live-side issues such as avian metapneumovirus, resulting in lower than anticipated live weights and increased mortality. However, the number of chicks placed in February and March was at an all-time high, which helped allow more production to enter the market despite some of the concerns on the live side...
Albertsons to Launch Digital Advertisement Displays in Select Stores
Albertsons has partnered with digital display company STRATACACHE, Inc. to unveil digital advertisements in stores. The screens will be used to promote products and streamline engagement between brand partners and customers, while encouraging shoppers to add additional items to their cart as they shop.
“At Albertsons Cos., we’ve identified a significant opportunity to enhance our in-store customers' shopping experience by delivering relevant and impactful messaging at the point of purchase,” said Jennifer Saenz, Chief Commercial Officer at Albertsons Cos. “Our partnership with STRATACACHE enables brand partners to...
Eggs From the Indian Namakkal District Exported to US For the First Time
For the first time, eggs from the Namakkal district in India have been exported to the US, Ricky Thaper, Joint Secretary at the Poultry Federation of India, confirmed. He added that around “21 containers each carrying around 4.75 lakh eggs.” A lakh of eggs is equal to 100,000 eggs.
C. Panneerselvam, president of the Tamil Nadu Egg Exporters Association said there were 20 air-conditioned containers, carrying around 10 million eggs from Thoothukudi port, and they were expected to arrive to the US next week.
"Based on consumer feedback from the U.S., further negotiations will be held regarding continued exports," Panneerselvam added.
FreshRealm Recalls Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Products Shipped to Kroger and Walmart Nationwide
FreshRealm establishments are recalling chicken fettuccine alfredo products that were distributed to Kroger and Walmart locations nationwide.
According to an announcement today from the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the recalled items may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).
The recalled items include all products produced before June 17, 2025, and include the following labels:
ANALYSIS: Turkey Producers Eye Potential Supply Boost
While this year's turkey egg sets and poult placements are still below the 5-year average, there has been a year-over-year (YOY) increase in all these values.
Over the past year, supplies of most lines within the turkey complex have consistently been barely adequate to short of needs. This has resulted in rapidly rising prices with 21 quotations reaching new all-time highs. Many participants from both sides of the negotiation table have been anxiously wondering when they are going to start seeing increased availability...
ANALYSIS: Korea’s May 2025 Beef Imports Climb 3.9% MOM to 39,556 mt
Korea’s beef imports in the month of May 2025 amounted to 39,556 metric tons (mt), recording an uptick of 3.9% month-on-month (MoM), according to the latest data from Korea Customs Service.
In line with historical trends, the 1,488 mt monthly increase was supported by higher inbound volumes from the United States (US), New Zealand, and Canada, though a slight dip from Australia capped further gains.
As Asia’s largest beef consumer, Korea imported 4.2% more beef in May 2025 compared to the same...
The Global Dairy Market Unpacked: Pricing, Production & Trade Trends
The dairy sector remains a cornerstone of the agricultural economies in the United States and the European Union. These regions make up 44.7% of global dairy milk production, dairy exports, and innovation in value-added products.
In 2024, the dairy market faced a series of complex challenges that tested its resilience and adaptability. Geopolitical tensions, climate-related disruptions, evolving trade policies, disease outbreaks, and shifting consumer preferences placed pressure on producers and processors alike. Additionally, inflation and global supply chain disruptions impacted trade flows and pricing stability...
Expana Will be Observing the Juneteenth Holiday Thursday, June 19
Expana will be observing the Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, June 19, which will impact the publication of some Expana Benchmark Prices. All US offices will be closed on the day; daily reports will not be published, and the following weekly reports will be impacted:
The Retail Rundown: Grocers Set Stage for Final Summer Push
With Father’s Day in the rearview, grocers are setting the stage for the final big buying event of the summer: the Fourth of July.
The upcoming holiday marks the last major retail push before Labor Day and serves as a key buying window for proteins like beef ahead of the mid-summer lull. To keep product moving, grocers are expected to lean heavily on promotions and feature aggressive pricing in the coming weeks.
Post-Father’s Day, pork and chicken are poised to capture more...
General Mills Announces Plans to Remove Certified Colors from All US Cereals
General Mills today announced plans to remove certified colors from all its U.S. cereals and all foods served in K-12 schools by summer 2026. Additionally, the company will work to remove certified colors from its full U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027.
For nearly 160 years, General Mills has been providing families quality, great-tasting products across its beloved portfolio of brands.
This change impacts only a small portion of General Mills' K-12 school portfolio
Refreshed Website Offers New Biosecurity Resources
The Secure Beef Supply (SBS) website, www.securebeef.org, has been redesigned to better serve the growing number of users seeking new, updated and classic biosecurity resources.
“Producers can use these new Secure Beef Supply Plan resources to be proactive and customize their biosecurity strategies and plan before a disease outbreak – when time and resources are limited,” said NCBA’s Beef Cattle Specialist Veterinarian Julia Herman. “It’s a valuable addition to any risk management plan and should be developed in collaboration with veterinarians and other team members...
Standard Meat Company Names Bill Chandler Director of Supply Chain
Standard Meat Company (SMC), a protein processing and packaging innovator headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, has announced the appointment of Bill Chandler as Director of Supply Chain. This newly created leadership position signals the firm’s continued investment in scalable infrastructure and strategic talent to support long-term, sustainable growth.
“Bill brings the right mix of experience, love of the industry, and respect for the people,” said SMC Co-President and CEO Ben Rosenthal. “His first move hasn’t been to overhaul — but to listen. He knows real strategy...
DHS Reverses Pause on ICE Raids, Targeting Farms, Hotels, and Restaurants
Days after the Trump administration ordered a pause on immigration raids targeting the agriculture and hospitality industries, the Department of Homeland Security has reversed course, authorizing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to resume worksite enforcement at farms, hotels, and restaurants, according to the Washington Post.
The publication reported that ICE held a call on June 16 to direct agency leaders that raids could occur at farms, hotels, and restaurants. Representatives from 30 field offices across the US were informed of the new instructions via the call...
President Trump Secures Greater Ag Market Access in Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced American agricultural producers will have greater market access to Thailand and Vietnam and maintained access to Brazil. The Trump Administration continues to break down non-tariff barriers and defend current market access, and these latest actions are some of many wins ahead for American producers. U.S. dairy producers will have maintained access to Brazil markets, citrus and apple growers will be able to sell more products to Thailand, and stone fruit growers will face lower non-tariff trade barriers in...
Australian Beef Producer Kilcoy Global Foods Files for $100 Million IPO
The Australian meat producer Kilcoy Global Foods filed for initial public offering (IPO) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company plans to raise up to $100 million.
Kilcoy is specialised in elaborated meat and protein products and reported $2.2 billion in sales for the 12 months ended March 31, 2025, up by 17% on the year. Its largest revenue was the US market, followed by Australia and China.
The company initially filed confidentially on January 10, 2025...
Datassential Lists Chick-fil-A as America's Favorite Chain Restaurant
On June 12, 2025, food and beverage intelligence platform Datassential announced the winners of the first-ever Datassential 500 Awards, showcasing the most dynamic foodservice brands in the United States. Notable winners include Chick-fil-A (favorite chain), Crumbl (most unique restaurant menu), and CAVA (best healthy chain).
Founded in 2001, Datassential has been providing food and beverage brands with intelligence tools and consumer insights for more than two decades, including quintessential companies like Starbucks, General Mills, Land O' Lakes, Pepsi, Burger King, and Target...
Circana’s ‘Eat Play Love’ Report Shows Consumer Indulgence Despite Conservative Daily Spending
On June 12, 2025, Circana released its latest report on consumer spending trends, titled “Eat Play Love,” revealing how European consumers are turning to comfort despite ongoing economic pressures, climate concerns, and global conflicts that continually shape daily life.
According to the report, despite exercising frugality with everyday purchases, European consumers are currently prioritizing food retail, foodservice, prestige beauty, and toy purchases, thus indicating a shift towards “self-soothing consumption” and “mini moments of bliss.”
The report leverages Circana's extensive coverage of European consumer goods across hundreds of...
Taco Bell Builds on Crispy Chicken Momentum with New Lineup
After the sell-out success of its tortilla-coated Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell is expanding into strips, the next phase in what’s shaping up to be a full-fledged crispy chicken platform.
Starting June 17, the brand debuts Crispy Chicken Strips across tacos and burritos. Made with all-white meat chicken, the strips are marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk and breaded in a blend of tortilla chips and breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Each build is layered with shredded cheddar, pico de...
ICE Told to Pause Worksite Raids in Agriculture, Hospitality Sectors by Trump Administration
The Trump administration will reportedly direct US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pause raids on businesses operating in the agricultural, restaurant, and hotel industries.
According to the New York Times, an internal email and three US officials confirmed the adjustment to President Trump’s deportation and immigration policies.
The email obtained by the publication directed ICE officials to “hold on all work site enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meat packing plants), restaurants and operating hotels...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #13
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #13."
ANALYSIS: Australia’s May 2025 Beef Exports Hover Near Record Highs at 129,477 mt
Australia’s May beef exports reached 129,477 metric tons (mt), just 571 mt below the record set in October 2024, according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Exports rose 1.8% or 2,306 mt following April’s post-cyclone rebound, marking the second consecutive month of growth. Gains were driven by stronger shipments to the United States and Canada, while volumes to Japan and Korea declined.
Compared to a year ago, overall exports were up 13.7% (+15,554 mt), led by...
ANALYSIS: April Pork Volumes Reflect Global Tariff Strain
In April 2025, US pork exports fell sharply to 582,920,000 pounds a decline of 9.1% from March and 11.1% compared to last April, US-imposed “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs took effect: a baseline 10% duty began April 5, followed by significantly higher country‑specific tariffs on April 9, including a 54% effective rate on Chinese goods. These sweeping measures, and retaliatory levies from both China and Canada in the same period, disrupted established trade flows and significantly squeezed US pork volumes—especially to Canada and China...
ANALYSIS: US Beef Variety Export Destination Comparison between April 2024 and April 2025
In April 2024, the total pounds of beef variety meats exported was 45,372,390 lbs, compared to only 37,242,729 lbs in April 2025. When analyzing specific items, hearts were down by about 4 million pounds, kidneys by around half a million pounds, lips by over a million pounds, livers by nearly 2 million pounds, and tongues by about 139,000 pounds. These few items alone account for roughly 7.5 million pounds not exported in 2025 compared to 2024.
With the tariffs introduced in April 2025...
Global Commodities Markets – Q2 2025 Trends and Forecasts
Welcome to the Global Commodities Markets: Q2 2025 trends and forecasts report, where we examine key developments in the global commodity markets.
In an ever-changing economic landscape, getting key insights on essential commodities is crucial for stakeholders across industries.
Each quarter, this report will focus on a few commodities with significant price fluctuations, delivering insights and forward-looking analysis.
Further commodity insights can be explored on the Expana platform, where you’ll find real-time price tracking, access to industry experts and customized alerts...
Bill Aims to Protect Texas Livestock from Screwworm Threat
A bill introduced in Congress aims to safeguard livestock and wildlife in Texas and the U.S. from the New World screwworm, a destructive pest that once devastated ranches across the southern U.S.
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) authored the New World Screwworm Preparedness Act to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a comprehensive study on screwworm surveillance and prevention efforts. The bill also requires USDA to recommend improvements that would strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to a potential outbreak...
Ukrainian Poultry Avesterra Group Opens New Processing Plant
Avesterra Group has invested around €60 million in the construction of a new processing plant in the Volyn region of Ukraine, with a capacity of 13,500 broilers/hour.
The 30,000-square-meter plant is equipped with modern equipment that meets European standards, and includes 50 technological and auxiliary buildings, as well as treatment facilities with membrane filtration. The plant will process poultry products for three of the company’s brand, it said. Epikur, a hormone-free chicken brand, the more affordable chicken brand Chebaturochka and Hala-certified Delika.
Avesterra hopes to create hundreds of jobs in the new plant and increase its output capacity to address growing demand and access to EU markets, company said.
ANALYSIS: US Imports Record High Volumes of Boneless Beef in May 2025
In May, the US imported 89,704 metric tons (mt) of boneless beef, which was an increase of 16,284 mt from April according to the latest Food Safety and Inspection Service report. These shipment figures include product that was rushed to the US ports ahead of the implementation of new tariffs as well as tariffed product departing the origin port after the April deadline.
Compared to last May, a surge of 31,977 mt more product was entered into the country, a 55.4% increase...
ANALYSIS: CAB and Choice Ribeye Prices Narrow in 2025 Ahead of Father’s Day
With Father’s Day approaching, it’s an ideal time to examine the price relationship between Certified Angus Beef® (CAB) and Choice boneless ribeyes. Year-to-date, Choice ribeyes are priced at $11.84/lb, up 25% from $9.47/lb year-over-year. CAB boneless ribeyes also increased, rising from $10.72/lb to $12.89/lb over the same period, a 20% gain. What stands out is the narrowing price spread between the two programs: from 13% in early June 2024...
Austria And Hungary Join France in Concerns over Mercosur Deal
Representatives from Austria and Hungary met with the French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Annie Genevard. During the meeting, they “reiterated their strong concerns regarding the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries,” the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty said.
"Significant quantities of imported products produced under lower standards could lead to the exclusion of European agricultural products,” István Nagy, the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture said. This could, the minister added, weigh on prices and on the profitability of EU...
Commerce Secretary Lutnick: US-China Trade Deal Framework Finalized
United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the US and China have agreed to a trade framework after two days of negotiations in London.
After what reports described as “intense negotiations,” Lutnick told reporters that the framework builds upon an agreement made last month to ease triple-digit retaliatory tariffs.
In a social media post on June 11, President Trump said that a deal with China was done and called the trade relationship with China “excellent.” However, further details regarding the deal were not made public...
The Retail Rundown: Seafood Leads Father’s Day Protein Promotions; CPI Shows Mild Increase
For Father’s Day weekend, seafood leads retail protein promotions, accounting for 28% of total ad volume. Beef follows at 24.8%, with pork close behind at 23.6%. Chicken claims 19% of protein ads, while turkey makes up about 3%.
Egg features remain limited for now but are on track to gain ground next week amid improving retail demand. While egg consumption typically slows around this time of year due to reduced baking and fewer hot breakfasts, eggs are emerging as one of the few proteins seeing price relief at retail—standing out amid peak seasonal...
ANALYSIS: China’s May 2025 Meat Imports Stagnate MOM at 512,582 mt
China in May 2025 imported 512,582 metric tons (mt) of meat, including variety meats, nearly flat month-on-month (MOM), according to preliminary figures from China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).
Slipping just 0.1% MOM, the decline came as China continued to expand market access across the chicken, venison segments from New Zealand, France and Russia.
However, export licenses of American beef plants were in limbo. The expiration of United States (US) plant licenses in China’s Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system, placed downward pressure...
ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports Slide, How Tariffs and Other Headwinds Hit the Market
Total turkey exports ended the month of April down approximately 23.7% year-over-year (YOY). This was primarily driven by a 23.5% decrease in the volume moved to Mexico, which made up 83.2% of international purchasing of US turkey for April compared to a 5-year average of 67.1%. Much of the changes to US exports of turkey during the spring can be related to tariffs, along with ongoing production concerns.
The month-over-month (MOM) change was only a decline of 0.9%, compared...
Powering Pork’s Future: New Three-Year Strategic Plan Charts the Path Forward
NPB’s Board of Directors has approved a new three-year strategic plan—part of a broader roadmap that will guide us through 2028. The strategic plan was presented to the board by the task force during the March 2025 Pork Industry Forum.
Kicking off in August 2024, the strategic planning process brought in insights from a wide range of producers and industry stakeholders. The result? A strategy that keeps producers’ priorities front and center—ensuring every hard-earned dollar...
Mexico Relaxes Brazilian Poultry Ban, But Mauritania, Oman Expand It
Mexico, along with 46 other countries, initially banned all poultry imports from Brazil after the South American country confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a commercial farm on May 15. Mexico has now relaxed the countrywide ban to just exports from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where the outbreak was detected.
In contrast, Mauritania has banned all imports of chicken meat from all of Brazil, and Oman from Rio Grande do Sul.
Brazil has been advocating for countries to limit the ban...
Tyson Foods Launches New Hillshire® Snacking Dips and Spreads
Tyson Foods has announced the launch of Hillshire Snacking Dips and Spreads.
Hillshire Snacking, known for its gourmet snacks and creative flavor combinations, now offers consumers chef-curated snacking experiences, pairing premium pepperoni and rich cream cheese spreads with perfectly toasted rounds.
The new Hillshire Snacking Dips and Spreads include three unique and flavorful varieties:
JM Smucker Raises Coffee Prices Amongst Tariff Uncertainty; Canadian Supermarket Drops Folgers
On June 10, the JM Smucker Company held their earnings question-and-answer session after releasing earnings for the fourth quarter of their fiscal year ending April 30, 2025. Leaders from JM Smucker cited high coffee price struggles and tariff-related costs in the earnings call while officials running a Canadian supermarket dropped Folgers coffee from their shelves.
On the earnings call, the main topics covered were coffee prices and trade uncertainty due to the US tariff agenda. Days prior, leaders at the Canadian grocery store, Loblaw...
ANALYSIS: Brazil’s May Beef Exports Down 9.7% MoM to 218,066 mt, as US Shipments Drop Nearly 50%
Brazilian beef exports (chilled or frozen) dropped to 218,066 metric tons (mt) in May, according to the latest data released by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services. This is 9.7% lower compared to April’s figure, but still reflected a 2.9% growth YoY.
Shipments to China represented 50.9% of that volume, or 111,030 mt, up 4.1% MoM and 13.4% higher than last year, firmly securing China’s position as the leading destination for Brazilian beef. China’s...
Convenience Store M&A Activity Suggests More Consolidation is Coming
The pace of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. convenience store sector is accelerating with recent trends suggesting the nation’s c-store landscape is ripe for more change. While most of the transactions in 2024 involved smaller chains or single-store operators, several larger operators inked deals to significantly expand their footprints into new regions.
According to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, c-store consolidation stands to disproportionally affect rural communities, many of which lack a grocery store or access...
Brazil Confirms New HPAI Outbreak in Backyard Poultry
On Saturday, June 7, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock confirmed the detection of bird flu in a backyard flock from the municipality of Campinápolis, in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil.
The Official Veterinary Service closed the property and collected samples for laboratory analysis, which confirmed the outbreak. This marks the fourth case of avian influenza detected in backyard poultry in Brazil.
On Sunday, June 8, eradication measures and surveillance actions began within a 10 km radius of the outbreak...
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Shelled Eggs
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to brown cage free eggs and brown certified organic eggs supplied by August Egg Company, Hilmar, CA.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 79 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from seven states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 24, 2025, to May 17, 2025. Twenty-seven of 30 cases with information available reported exposure to eggs or...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #12
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #12."
Cargill to Invest $90 Million in Fort Morgan Beef Plant in Colorado
Cargill will invest nearly $90 million in automation and advanced technologies at its Fort Morgan beef processing facility in Colorado. The investments comes as part of its Factory of the Future initiative.
This effort aims to improve operational efficiency, increase yield, and enhance safety and inclusivity for employees. Since 2021, Cargill has already invested nearly $24 million in technology upgrades at the Fort Morgan site.
A key innovation being introduced is CarVe, Cargill’s proprietary, patent-pending computer vision...
ANALYSIS: The Butts Are Back, Grilling Season Sparks Price Spike in May
May was marked by a robust rally in pork butt values, propelled by seasonal pulled pork demand, strong export pull, and tightening supply fundamentals. With grilling season well underway and the Fourth of July approaching, sentiments among some market participants remain bullish, particularly as processors and retailers continue to feature this item in promotional rotations and value-added offerings.
¼ trim bone-in butt values averaged $1.46/lb in May, reflecting a full steady to firm tone. This cut experienced a...
ANALYSIS: Chicken Hatch Remains on YOY Upswing
In the chicken market, persistent uncertainty around disease risk, pockets of seasonally atypical market movement, and global trade tension continue to complicate forward-looking strategies for buyers and sellers alike. This environment is pushing stakeholders to seek clearer signals amid the noise. In that regard, hatchery performance is one of the few guiding lights in an otherwise volatile market landscape.
According to the latest USDA hatchery figures, both eggs set and chicks placed continue to post steady year-over-year (YOY) gains. Egg sets for the week ending May 31 reached...
ANALYSIS: From Boom to Bottleneck, 10 Years of US-China Beef Trade and What’s Next
After more than a decade of building momentum, US beef exports to China hit a wall in Q2 2025 as tariffs disrupted one of the world’s most dynamic meat trade lanes. The pause in duties since mid-May has since eased tensions, but trade has yet to see signs of reviving.
Over the years, China became US’s third largest key destination for American grain-fed cuts especially offal cuts, prized for their suitability in local cuisine.
While the reprieve is welcome...
KFC Relaunches $7 Fill Ups Nationwide, Partners with F1® THE MOVIE for Summer Campaign
KFC is bringing back its popular $7 Fill Ups, offering four complete meal options at a strong value price point. The return aligns with a nationwide marketing partnership with F1® THE MOVIE, positioning KFC as a go-to stop for quick, satisfying meals this summer.
$7 Fill Ups – Available Now Nationwide:Each Fill Up includes an entrée, mashed potatoes with gravy, a biscuit, two pie poppers, and a medium drink.
Marex Expands into Brazilian Agriculture with Acquisition of Agrinvest Commodities
Financial services platform Marex Group plc has acquired Brazilian agricultural commodities firm Agrinvest Commodities.
The acquisition will enable Marex to deepen its presence in Latin America by adding physical commodity services in Brazil to its already established derivatives operations in the country. Agrinvest specializes in connecting buyers and sellers of agricultural products such as corn and soybeans and offers strategic consulting on hedging and commercial positioning.
Agrinvest has a client base of approximately 1,300 and a team of 100 employees.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Coke Florida Names New Leaders for Distribution and Manufacturing Operations
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC announced two strategic leadership promotions that further strengthen its operational leadership team.
Yancy Appointed Vice President, Distribution Operations
Yancy, currently serving as Vice President, Manufacturing Operations, has been appointed Vice President, Distribution Operations. In this role, he will lead the execution of Coke Florida’s end-to-end distribution strategy, encompassing traditional and automated warehousing, as well as fleet operations across the company’s statewide footprint.
Yancy brings more than 15 years of experience within the Coca-Cola system and has been with Coke Florida since 2017, driving performance across manufacturing and supply chain functions.
EU Egg Market Sentiment Heading Into Summer
As the EU egg market moves into the summer period, sentiment is becoming increasingly two-sided. Summer is traditionally marked by a seasonal slowdown in trading activity, as consumer habits shift and production schedules ease.
This seasonal dip has already begun to take hold, with buying interest noticeably subdued throughout May. However, the usual expectations of softer summer demand are being weighed against a backdrop of heightened supply-side risk. Concerns over future availability, particularly following avian influenza-related flock reductions in Poland—are beginning to shape market psychology...
ANALYSIS: Supply-Driven Pricing in the Turkey Market
The number of turkeys processed in April was at an all-time low, following a trend that was established in August of last year. HPAI, avian metapneumovirus, and economic limitations all continue to impact the availability of supplies. The record low supplies are influencing an extremely bullish market as 21 of Expana’s quotations reach all-time high levels. Still, participants on both sides of the negotiation table lament the lack of offerings. Many sellers have reportedly taken a cautious approach when it comes to the pricing of certain lines, especially...
ANALYSIS: Brazil’s Recent FMD-Free Status and Potential Implications for Global Beef Trade
In recent developments, Brazil has been officially recognized as free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), as announced during the 92nd General Session held in Paris this week. The new status marks a significant milestone in Brazil’s long-term efforts to strengthen animal health systems and bolster sanitary credibility in international markets.
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting livestock, including cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants...
Cargill Seeks Full Ownership of Australian Beef Producer Teys
Australian Teys Investments and Cargill have announced on Thursday, Cargill, via a subsidiary, has agreed to increase its stake in Teys to 100%. This includes Teys Australia and Teys USA.
Teys is specialized in Australian beef to both the national and international market. Cargill has already held stake on Teys for the past 14 years, Teys said.
“The Teys family is immensely proud to have grown our business into a premier provider of beef to our customers and Australian families. Cargill has been instrumental in our transformation...
ANALYSIS: EU Egg Imports Climb Further in Q1 2025, Led by Ukraine
EU egg imports continued to rise in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 39,067 MT in egg equivalent weight, according to the latest figures from the European Commission. This marks a significant year-over-year (YoY) increase from 26,061 MT in Q1 2024, and extends the steady upward trend observed since 2022. Much of this growth was once again driven by Ukraine, which accounted for 29,459 MT, up 77% from the same period last year.
Fresh shell eggs remain the dominant import category, totalling 25,341 MT in Q1...
ANALYSIS: Japan’s April 2025 Beef Imports Soar to 12-Month Highs
Japan’s beef imports in April 2025 surged to the highest level in twelve months, climbing for the second consecutive month to 53,125 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Japan’s Trade Statistics.
In line with traditional trends, volumes jumped a staggering 71.5% month-on-month (MoM) or 22,156 mt on the back of stocking replenishment ahead of the ahead of the Golden Week holiday season in early May.
Australia led shipments at 24,150 mt, followed by the US at 20,583 mt. Canada supplied 3,696 mt...
US Arrests Chinese Nationals for Allegedly Smuggling Dangerous Fungus in “Agroterrorism” Attempt
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested two citizens of the People’s Republic of China for allegedly smuggling a fungus called Fusarium graminearum, which is a potential agroterrorism weapon, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, are suspected of alleged conspiracy, smuggling goods into the US, false statements, and visa fraud.
The fungus can cause a disease called “head blight” in wheat, barley, maize, and rice, according to US FBI Director, Kash Patel on X.com...
The Retail Rundown: Pork Deals Deliver Summer Savings
Pork promotions are gaining momentum, with value-priced cuts standing out against higher-priced beef and even some chicken items.
Bacon continues to steal the spotlight in the pork category, fueled by strong seasonal demand as consumers stock up on this summer staple. Over Memorial Day, discounted bacon averaged $6.30 per pound, up nearly 3% from last year. Wholesale belly prices have climbed 13% since early April, supported by tightening hog supplies and historically low cold storage stocks.
As grilling season gains momentum, demand for ribs...
McDonald's Snack Wraps are Officially Coming Back: Here's When
The wait is almost over.
McDonald's confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the Snack Wrap will officially be coming back to restaurants permanently beginning Thursday, July 10.
The Snack Wrap features one of McDonald's new McCrispy Strips – a juicy chicken strip made with all white meat – topped with crisp shredded lettuce and shredded cheese, all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, according to the chain.
The item will be available in two flavors:
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