Hormel Recalls Over 256,000 Pounds of Canned Beef Stew

Hormel Foods Corporation has recalled approximately 256,185 pounds of its canned beef stew.

According to an announcement from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the product may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood, following several consumer complaints.

The affected products are 20-ounce metal cans labeled “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with a best-by date of FEB 2028.

These items were produced on February 4, 2025, and bear the establishment number “EST. 199G” and lot number...

ANALYSIS: US 2025 Prime Grading Surges to Record Highs

As we head into peak grilling season, it's an ideal time to look at Prime grading trends in the beef market. This year, Prime grading percentages have surged well above 2024 levels, reaching unprecedented highs. In early May, 13.2% of cattle graded Prime, marking a 15% increase over the same time last year and even surpassing the Select grade share, which sat at 12%.

This shift is being driven by several key factors. Improved genetics, especially through the use of high-marbling breeds like Angus, combined with longer feeding...

Firehouse Subs Accelerates Global Growth with Entry into Mexico

Firehouse Subs has signed a significant development agreement with Foodplay to open 100 restaurants across Mexico over the next five years, marking its latest strategic move in international expansion. This initiative is expected to generate hundreds of jobs locally while strengthening brand presence across Latin America.

"We believe Firehouse Subs has tremendous potential in Mexico's growing sandwich market," said Duncan Montero, LAC President of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), parent company of Firehouse Subs. "We're excited to bring Firehouse premium subs, heartfelt service...

ANALYSIS: US Boneless Beef Cold Storage Declines Despite Increasing Shipments Overseas 

Boneless beef cold storage stocks stood at 376.9M lbs in April, according to the latest USDA cold storage report. This figure represents a decline of 10.3M lbs from March and 9.9M lbs from the previous April.

Seasonally, cold storage levels tend to drop heading into the summer as grilling season begins and consumer demand for beef rises. This year, April recorded the lowest boneless beef cold storage figure for the month in the past decade.

Meanwhile, US imports of boneless beef surged in April...

USDA and Mexico Invest in Joint Effort to Eradicate New World Screwworm

On a recent call, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook L. Rollins and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué Sacristán, discussed ongoing efforts to contain the threat of New World Screwworm (NWS) south of the US-Mexico border. The USDA shared an update on the partnership via its website.

As part of this effort, the USDA announced a $21 million investment to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico. The goal is to produce an additional...

The Retail Rundown: Father’s Day Fires Up Demand for Premium Cuts

Meat sales over Memorial Day weekend appeared to underperform in some regions this year, as cool weather across the Midwest curbed outdoor grilling activity.

Retailers are now setting their sights on the next major grilling event, Father’s Day, paired with hopes for improved weather. Falling on June 15th this year, the event presents another opportunity to drive protein consumption. 

This week’s retail buying opportunities are led by seafood, which accounts for 28.2% of protein ads. Beef has 26.4%, trailed by pork at 23.2%, chicken at 18%, and turkey with...

HPAI H5N1 Virus in Dairy Cattle – What We Know

In March 2024, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1), commonly referred to as bird flu, was confirmed in domestic US livestock for the first time in a dairy operation in Texas. Since then, the virus has spread to 1,072 dairy operations across 17 states, raising widespread uncertainty throughout the dairy and livestock markets. Industry participants have raised concerns about the outbreak's potential impact on consumer perception and demand for dairy and meat products, though government agencies reiterate that the national food supply remains safe. Expana is closely monitoring the situation...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #10

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 #10."

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: New Zealand’s April 2025 Beef Exports Pull Back to 43,739 mt after 10-Month High

New Zealand’s beef exports retreated in April 2025, easing to 43,739 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Stats NZ.

Volumes slipped 13.8% month-on-month (MoM), down 7,027 mt from March’s 10-month high. The decline was driven by lower shipments to the United States, China, and Canada, while modest gains to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan helped cap losses.

Annual volumes dipped 2.9% or 1,324 mt compared to a year ago, driven by softer demand from...

ANALYSIS: China’s April 2025 Beef Imports Dips 1.8% MoM to 209,361 mt

China's total beef imports in April 2025 eased back 1.8% month-on-month (MoM) or 3,782 mt to 209,361 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Inbound shipments fell by 3,782 mt, driven by lower numbers from Brazil, Argentina and New Zealand. However, firmer volumes from the United States (US), Uruguay and Australia cushioned further falls.

On a year-on-year (YoY) basis, imports fell 6.7% or 15,040 mt pressured by rising domestic production...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s Q1 2025 Beef Production Rises 2.7% QoQ on Higher Cattle Turnoff

Australia produced 679,048 mt of beef in Q1 2025 (excluding meat from calves), up 2.7% from the previous quarter, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Just shy of the Q3 2024 record, the 18,149 mt increase was driven by higher cattle turnoff in Victoria (VIC) and South Australia (SA) due to dry weather conditions. On a quarterly basis, SA lifted 15.6% in beef production while VIC firmed 2.9%.

New South Wales (NSW) produced 7.7% more beef in Q1 2025... 

ANALYSIS: Early 2025 Safeguard Trigger Looms as China Ramps Up Aussie Beef

China’s imports of Australian beef are rapidly approaching the 2025 Special Agricultural Safeguard (SSG) threshold, raising industry concerns that the Most-Favored Nation tariffs could be activated earlier than anticipated.

The 2025 SSG volume is set at 208,307 mt. The latest General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) data showed year-to-date (YTD) volumes from Australia are tracking above seasonal averages, driven largely by strong grain-fed beef shipments since the start of the year...

Cargill Forecasts a Sizzling Start to Summer Grilling this Memorial Day

As millions of Americans mark the start of summer this Memorial Day weekend, Cargill is forecasting a strong demand for protein as grills fire up across the country. The company expects that many consumers will prioritize affordability without sacrificing taste by seeking out staples like ground beef, chicken and hot dogs.

Nearly 9 of 10 consumers say they’re ready to grill this summer, with approximately half of them planning to do so weekly. Beef (79%) and poultry (64%) remain the top choices for the grill...

Dolly Parton Partners with Conagra Brands on New Line of Frozen Dinners

America’s sweetheart and musical icon, Dolly Parton, has announced the expansion of her retail food line.

In partnership with industry leader Conagra Brands, the launch builds on a successful collaboration that began in 2022.

The new line combines the convenience of single-serve frozen meals with the finger-licking flavors of Southern-inspired cuisine. Each meal retails for $4.49 and can be prepared in either the microwave or oven. The meals are available at major grocery retailers across the US.

Product highlights... 

ANALYSIS: US Beef Hearts Price Inching Closer to Record High

In the current beef variety market, hearts are attracting a lot of attention. Currently, the weekly average price is up about 44% from the beginning of the year, sitting at approximately $1.68/lb—almost 3% below the all-time high of $1.73/lb recorded in October 2024.

For 2020-2024 the weekly average price was around $1.14/lb and over the last 10 years, the weekly average price of beef hearts has increased by 123.18%. The current high prices can be partly attributed to reduced slaughter...b

ANALYSIS: Korea’s April 2025 Beef Imports Slip MoM to 38,068 mt

Korea’s beef imports in the month of April 2025 amounted to 38,068 metric tons (mt), slipping 5.3% month-on-month (MoM), according to the latest data from Korea Customs Service.

In line with historical trends, the 2,130 mt monthly decrease was driven by lower in-bound shipments across key suppliers such as the United States (US), Australia, Canada and New Zealand.  

Annually, April imports firmed 1.5% year-on-year (YoY), a modest increase of 555 mt, led by higher tonnage from Australia and New Zealand while supply from the...

The Retail Rundown: Seafood Leads Memorial Day Retail Ads; Weather Poses Challenges

Seafood leads retail protein promotions heading into Memorial Day weekend, accounting for 28.7% of total featured protein ad volume. Pork follows at 25.9%, with beef at 21.3% and chicken at 19.3%.

Egg feature volume is virtually absent amid sluggish retail demand. Warmer weather is prompting a shift toward fruit and cereal for breakfast, while elevated, though easing, shelf prices continue to dampen consumer interest, according to Expana.

Within the seafood category, fresh and frozen fillets represent the largest share of advertised items at nearly 28%. Raw shrimp...

ANALYSIS: UK–US Trade Agreement on Tariffs: Implications for the Beef Industry

On May 8, 2025, the United Kingdom and the United States formalized a trade agreement targeting the reduction of tariffs on selected goods, marking a significant shift in bilateral trade relations. Among the headline provisions was the removal or reduction of tariffs on key commodities, notably steel, aluminum, and beef.

A particularly impactful change involves US beef exports to the UK. Previously constrained by a 20% tariff on a quota of 1,000 tons, US beef will now benefit from a zero-tariff quota expanded to...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #9

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 #9."

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: The Rise of Beef and Dairy Animal Crossbreeding in the US 

Beef-on-dairy (beef x dairy) crossbreeding has gained significant traction in recent years, particularly the use of Holstein cows bred with widely used beef cattle breeds.  Financial incentives are present for dairy farmers in times when milk checks remain uncertain.

Historically, however, the beef and dairy sectors have operated as largely separate industries. Dairy farms have primarily focused on milk production, with breeding programs aimed at optimizing traits like milk yield, udder health, and reproductive efficiency...

ANALYSIS: China’s Meat Imports Slip 6.4% MoM to 512,899 mt in April

China in April 2025 imported 512,899 metric tons (mt) of meat, including variety meats, down 6.4% month-on-month (MoM), according to preliminary figures from China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).

The 34,926 mt decline in exports reflected a mix of challenges. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has weighed on meat consumption, while a boost in domestic production during Q1 2025, fueled by a recovery in pig farming and higher beef and poultry output, has lessened reliance on imports...

House Agriculture Committee Advances Legislation with Key NCBA Priorities

Today, the House Agriculture Committee passed their initial reconciliation bill, which contains several NCBA supported provisions that strengthen our defense against foreign animal disease and support producers who have lost cattle due to predator depredation or natural disasters. The legislation now moves to the full House of Representatives for further consideration.

“Cattle farmers and ranchers across the country have continued advocating for tools that protect the cattle industry from foreign animal disease and help producers recover from the loss of their cattle, whether by predator...

Brazil’s Meatpacker Marfrig Seeks BRF Acquisition

Marfrig has announced its agreement to buy all remaining shares of Brazilian firm BRF to turn the other Brazilian firm it into a subsidiary.

Marfrig forecasts R$24 million (USD$4.7 million) in costs associated with the merger, but R$485 million per year in new revenue and cost synergies, largely though cross-selling and logistics optimisation after the acquisition.

Marfrig already owns 50.49% of the Brazilian firn. It acquired around a quarter of BRF's shares in 2021. 

The acquisition would increase Marfrig’s capacity in poultry, pork, and processed foods...

ANALYSIS: US Retail Tongue Distribution and Non-Discounted Price Leading up to Cinco de Mayo

According to Circana data for week ending the last Sunday before Cinco de Mayo, the average top distribution areas for 2024 and 2025 were: Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix/Tucson, AZ; Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; Roanoke, VA; and New York, NY. Meanwhile, the areas with the highest average price charged to consumers for 2024 and 2025 were: Buffalo/Rochester, NY; Syracuse, NY; Las Vegas, NV; Phoenix/Tucson, AZ; and San Diego, CA.  

Roanoke, VA was a standout because it’s 82 lbs worth 

ANALYSIS: US-Mexico Ribeye Price Gaps and Market Shifts

Historically, the export market for Mexican beef to the US has shown consistent year-over-year volume increases, positioning Mexico as a key source for buyers seeking products to meet inventory needs. However, recent years have brought challenges, with rising demand and price surges in the US market, alongside exchange rate fluctuations, causing price differentials to shift based on factors like seasonality. 

From January to April 2024, Mexican Ribeye averaged between $5.19 and $5.90 per pound, while US No Roll ranged from $6.99 to $7.12 per pound...

JBS Q1 2025 Net Profit Up 50% on Pork, Poultry Gains

Brazilian meat company JBS reported a 50.5% increase in net profit in the first quarter of 2025 reaching 2.92 billion reais ($521 million). Revenue rose 8.5% to $19.5 billion.

The company said strong results in its pork and poultry operations offset continued weakness in North American beef. Seara, its Brazil-based unit, reported an EBITDA margin of 19.8%, while the North American beef business posted a negative 1.6% EBITDA margin, despite net sales up by 16%.

Beef margins were pressured by record cattle...

The Retail Rundown: Pre-Grilling Season Retail Insights

With Memorial Day fast approaching, retailers are ramping up promotions to jumpstart the unofficial kickoff to the summer grilling season—a crucial window for driving foot traffic and boosting meat department sales.

The next two weeks are key, as market participants closely watch consumer demand ahead of what is typically one of the busiest periods for beef sales. Protein items are being prominently showcased alongside vibrant seasonal produce, enhancing the appeal of in-store displays.

Seafood leads the protein feature mix this week, accounting for nearly 30% of all advertised protein items...

Jack Link’s Partners with MrBeast to Launch Co-Branded Line of Protein Snacks

Jack Link’s, a global leader in meat snacks and one of the largest privately owned food companies in the US, has announced a global partnership with digital creator MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) to launch a new line of protein-packed meat snacks.

This groundbreaking collaboration marks MrBeast’s first-ever partnership with a Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) company for a co-branded product line. It brings together Jack Link’s expertise in traditional food manufacturing with MrBeast’s massive digital reach and influence...

ANALYSIS: Brazilian Fresh Beef Exports Saw a 12.2% Monthly Growth in April, Up 16.3% YoY

The latest data released by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services showed that the country’s fresh (chilled and frozen) beef exports recorded strong performance in April, reaching 241,573 metric tons (mt). This marks record high for the month, up 12.2% from March and 16.3% higher compared to the same period last year.

China maintained its position as Brazil's leading trading partner, recording an 11.1% MoM growth to 106,639 mt. This represents a 5.6% YoY increase...

China, UK Trade Talks Pose Positive Opportunities for US Animal Food Industry

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to see a cooling of U.S. tariffs on and retaliatory tariffs from China and a proposed trade agreement with the United Kingdom coming to fruition, given discussions late last week and over the weekend between the U.S. and respective countries’ trade officials. Both China and the United Kingdom present valuable opportunities for U.S. animal food manufacturers, which produce some of the safest, highest quality and innovative feed, feed ingredients and pet food globally...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8

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 #8."

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...

Dr. Casey Means Appointed to US Surgeon General

On May 8, Dr. Casey Means was appointed to be the next US Surgeon General by US President Trump, after a recommendation from US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A forthcoming Senate hearing will occur to vote whether to confirm Means to this position, Expana has reported. 

Means associates diet with the root cause of the “chronic disease epidemic” in America. 

“Metabolic dysfunction is largely not a genetic issue. It’s caused by toxic American ultra-processed industrial food, toxic American chemicals, toxic American medication, and our toxic sedentary indoor lifestyles..."

ANALYSIS: 2025 US Top Sirloin Butt Prices Climb 48% From January Lows

With grilling season approaching and tenderloins, ribeyes, and strips commanding elevated prices, many consumers are turning to more economical alternatives such as the boneless Choice top sirloin butt. Prices for this item are now at record highs for this time of year, currently sitting at $6.12/lb which shows a 35% increase over 2024 levels and a 48% jump from the lows seen in January 2025. When compared to the 3-year average, current pricing is also 36% higher, highlighting just how strong this rally has been...

49th Executive Conference Highlights Resilience and Future Outlook of Animal Protein Sector

This year’s Executive Conference held in Las Vegas from May 5–7 for senior leaders in the animal protein sector, was an informative show of the industry’s and what we can expect from the protein sector in the coming years.  

“We feed the ever-growing needs of the entire population,” said Russ Whitman, Expana’s Director of Market Reporting, in his opening remarks. 

Despite challenges related to animal health, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical tensions, the industry has demonstrated remarkable perseverance. 

ANALYSIS: Uruguay’s Beef Exports Fall in April Amid US Modest Growth and China's Persistent Downturn

According to the latest data from Uruguay’s National Customs Directorate, fresh beef exports totaled 28,142 metric tons (mt) in April. This corresponds to a 6.5% decline compared to March and a 7.0% drop Y-o-Y, reflecting softer demand from the Chinese market, partially offset by modest growth in other regions.

The US remained Uruguay’s top beef export destination after overtaking China two months ago, expanding its share to 41.7% of total volume shipped during April, or 11,723 mt. This represents a modest 2.6% M-o-M increase but a notable 42.6% gain...

The Retail Rundown: Grocers Take on Foodservice for a Slice of Mother’s Day Spending

Grocers are gearing up to win a slice of Mother’s Day sales, which are traditionally dominated by restaurants and dining out. While foodservice still captures the lion’s share of spending, supermarkets are making strategic plays to compete for consumers' dollars.

According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day spending is projected to hit $34.1 billion this year—up from $33.5 billion in 2024 and just shy of the 2023 record of $35.7 billion. About 84% of US adults are expected to celebrate, spending an average of $259.04 on gifts and festivities...

ANALYSIS: Mexican Beef Export Trends in Q1 2025

The Mexican beef export market to the US showed mixed trends in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting shifts in trade dynamics. The short period of US tariff imposition on Mexico marked a turning point in market activity, leading some exporters to reduce or suspend shipments while others negotiated agreements to manage the new costs. Exchange rate fluctuations driven by macroeconomic factors initially boosted export incentives but rising domestic demand in Mexico and a stronger peso later shifted the focus to the local market. Feeder cattle exports also saw changes following the November 2024 suspension, with new inspections to monitor cattle health and import viability altering trade flows...

ANALYSIS: US Ribeyes & Tenderloins, Easter 2024 vs 2025

Using Circana retail scanner data, we analyzed total ribeye and tenderloin sales during the week leading up to Easter and Easter week itself to compare buying activity in 2024 (the Catholic Easter) and 2025 (the combined Orthodox and Catholic Easter). Both cuts posted strong year-over-year growth: ribeye sales rose 16%, increasing from roughly $579 million in 2024 to $670 million in 2025, while tenderloin sales climbed 17%, from $126 million to $147 million.

In 2025, the alignment of Orthodox and Catholic Easter on the same date created a more concentrated holiday demand window, likely boosting promotional activity and driving more focused consumer engagement. As a result, many shoppers consolidated purchases into a single peak buying period, contributing to the notable increase in total sales for both items...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7

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 #7."

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...

Smith Packing Recalls Approximately 18,792 Pounds of RTE Sausage and Sliced Meat and Poultry Product

According to an announcement from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Smith Packing, LLC is recalling approximately 18,792 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage and sliced meat and poultry products due to excessive sodium nitrite levels.

This  recall follows an investigation prompted by customer complaints about an off-putting taste and/or discoloration of the product.

The affected items were produced between February 19 and April 24, 2025, bear establishment numbers “EST. 4578”...

ANALYSIS: US Red Meat Cold Storage Stocks Decline on Coasts MoM

According to the latest USDA cold storage report, boneless beef stocks declined in March compared to February, with the Middle Atlantic region down 6% and the Pacific region down 5%. Both areas serve as key entry points for imported beef, with cold storage typically the first stop after arrival at a port.

Despite the implementation of new tariffs, imported frozen beef remains competitively priced relative to domestic fresh product. This price advantage has influenced cold storage dynamics, as buyers draw down inventories for immediate...

ANALYSIS: Japan’s Q1 2025 Beef Imports Slump 17.5% to 92,915 mt

Japan’s total beef imports in Q1 2025 fell 17.5% year on year (YoY) to 92,915 metric tons (mt), a decline of 19,729 mt, according to the latest data from Japan’s Trade Statistics.

The sharpest drops were recorded from key suppliers including Australia and the United States (US), along with smaller reductions from Canada, New Zealand, and Mexico.

Imports from the US totaled 34,636 mt, down 14.9% YoY, or 6,048 mt on the back of its low cattle herd. Despite its production boom, shipments from Australia also fell...

ANALYSIS: Japan’s Beef Intake Plunges to 23-Year Low as Household Budgets Tighten

Japan's beef consumption dropped to a 23-year low in February 2025, with per capita intake falling to just 134 grams, according to data from the Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC).

This marks the lowest level since November 2001, driven by inflationary pressures and a continued squeeze in household budgets. The weak yen has exacerbated the situation, pushing up the cost of imports, including food and energy, and fueling broader inflation.

Industry sources have long commented that budget-conscious consumers are turning to...

The Retail Rundown: Grocers Turn Up the Heat 

Grocers are turning up the heat in this week’s circulars, leaning into classic summer grilling staples—ribs, burgers, and barbecue fixings—signaling early excitement for the season even with Memorial Day still a few weeks away.

Seafood tops this week’s retail protein promotions, claiming roughly 28% of total ad space. Beef follows with 24.7%, trailed by pork at 23.1% and chicken at 20.2%. Turkey ads were slashed by half compared to last week, now accounting for just 3% of circular space.

Retailers are also highlighting festive favorites ahead of Cinco de Mayo. Ground beef in the 78–84% lean range averaged $4.89 per...

ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s Q1 2025 Beef Exports Rises 1.3% YoY to 134,240 mt

New Zealand’s beef exports in the first quarter of 2025 rose 1.3% year-on-year (YoY) to 134,240 metric tons, according to the latest data from Stats NZ.

Stronger volumes to key markets including the United States, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom supported the quarterly gain. Exports to China and Japan pulled back, but total shipments still edged up by 1,781 mt.

In the first quarter of 2025, the US cemented its position as New Zealand’s top beef market, taking...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #6

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 #6."

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...