ANALYSIS: Weakness Across US Cage-Free Market Intensifies Ahead of Christmas

The US cage-free market has turned decidedly weak, as growing availability and limited buying interest have left sellers increasingly negotiable, resulting in spot values falling rapidly. Now two weeks removed from Thanksgiving and with the seasonal Christmas push yet to materialize, retail pulls rated as.....

Suzanna’s Kitchen Recalls Fully Cooked Breaded Chicken Products Due to Misbranding 

Suzanna’s Kitchen, a Suwanee, Ga., establishment, is recalling approximately 62,550 pounds of fully cooked, bone-in breaded chicken products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. 

The 8-piece cut, bone-in breaded chicken portions were produced Oct. 16, 2025. The following product is subject to recall:

• 18-lb. cases containing four units of “FULLY COOKED BREADED CHICKEN PORTIONS,” with case code “P-1380 126237 B30851 23:11 K04” printed on the side of the packaging...

ANALYSIS: November Cattle on Feed Down 2% and Placements Down 10% in October from Year Ago Levels

Cattle on feed numbers for November were the lowest experienced for that month over the past 5 years although it did come close to surpassing 2022 levels. When comparing over the last 10 years, current levels are below every year except for 2015-2018, which was a period of cattle retention. On a state-by-state basis, the states that experienced a lower cattle inventory compared to 2024 for November were Arizona, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Of those, Colorado experienced the largest...

Captain D's Moves into NYC Market with Grand Opening in the Bronx 

With more than 530 restaurants across 23 states, Captain D’s, a leading casual seafood restaurant brand is bringing its iconic concept to the New York City market for the first time.

On December 8, Shahid Raza, in partnership with FSR Group, celebrated the grand opening of Captain D’s at its 763 E. Gunhill Road location in the Bronx while developing three additional locations in New York City.

Earlier in the year, Expana reported the team planned on opening five other locations in the Baltimore metro...

US Pork Exports Steady in September with Value Record for Mexico; Beef Exports Lowest Since Mid-2020

USDA has released red meat export data for September, which was delayed due to the recent government shutdown. As compiled by USMEF, September data showed a fairly steady performance for U.S. pork exports, matching year-ago value while down slightly in volume. But September beef exports were the lowest in more than five years, with shipments to China effectively halted and exports to other Asian markets also trending lower year-over-year.

“We are encouraged by the robust and resilient global demand for U.S. pork – especially in Mexico, but also in a broad range of international...

USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Dairy Herd in Wisconsin

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed via PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) assay a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.4.4b in a dairy cattle herd in Wisconsin. APHIS will complete genetic sequencing and announce final results as soon as they are available. This confirmation was a result of routine National Milk Testing Strategy testing, not pre-movement surveillance.

This marks the first known case of HPAI... 

Yum China Announces $460 Million Share Buyback in US and Hong Kong

Yum China Holdings entered into share repurchase agreements in the US and Hong Kong for a total repurchase amount of approximately $460 million for the first half of 2026, commencing on January 12, 2026. The agreement includes approximately US$350 million under Rule 10b5-1 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in the US and approximately HK$880 million for a similar program in Hong Kong.

The share repurchase program agreements serve as a key element in...

ANALYSIS: US 2025 Vanishing 600K-Head Slaughter Weeks Signal Supply Crunch and Price Spike

In 2025, weekly cattle slaughter has surpassed the 600,000-head mark only four times year-to-date a sharp departure from 2024, when such volumes were reached 32 times by this point in the year, translating to an 88% reduction in 600,000 head or more weeks. This trend mirrors 2015, when the market sat at a similar stage in the cattle cycle and never hit that threshold. Year-to-date slaughter is currently running 6.6% below 2024 levels... 

ANALYSIS: US Breaking Stock Prices Slide to Two-Year Lows Amid Soft Demand, Rising Supplies

US breaking stock prices have fallen to their lowest levels in more than two years, reflecting mounting pressure from across both demand and supply channels. Retail, distribution, and export channels have all failed to generate the absorption typically expected this time of year, leaving surplus supplies with few viable outlets. Even with some of the lowest shelf prices seen in years, suppliers mostly characterize retail movement as only fair.

The customary lift in buying that typically marks the early stages of...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Prices Surge YOY on Supply Shortages; Breast Meat Up 295%

This year's turkey market has been exceptionally bullish in nearly all regards. Pricing for nearly all items aside from hearts and gizzards currently sits higher than that of last year. However, we see very different paths throughout the year based on the individual line.

This year, pricing for the frozen 16 lbs. toms was actually lower than the values in 2024 during January and part of February. Midway through February prices began to climb and rise year-over-year (YOY) until they reached today's levels...

ANALYSIS: From Shortage to Surplus: Chicken Market's Dramatic 2025 Turnaround

The year began with an unusually sharp rally across the chicken complex as a perfect storm of supply constraints and aggressive demand converged. Retailers and foodservice operators leaned heavily into chicken due to the historically wide cost spread compared to beef, which made chicken the clear feature protein nationwide. At the same time, production efficiency was severely compromised. Avian metapneumovirus and laryngotracheitis did not drive large mortality events, but they significantly reduced bird performance, cutting live weights, suppressing feed conversion, and lowering...

MEATZY Launches Subscription Service for Premium Meat and Seafood Delivery

MEATZY, an innovative subscription service delivering high-quality meat directly to customers' doors, has officially launched.

Developed by industry veterans with experience in supplying proteins to over 100 luxury resorts and leading chefs, MEATZY promises an exceptional culinary experience with premium beef, chicken, pork, and seafood at consistent prices.

"Protein prices keep climbing, and families are paying more for meat that's often lower quality than they realize," said the co-founder, Jorge Arevalo. "We built MEATZY to give people access to chef-grade protein...

USTR Sets Phased Tariffs on Non-Compliant Imports from Nicaragua; Beef and Seafood Affected?

The office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) will impose phased tariffs on Nicaraguan goods that do not meet the standards for the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), following a Section 301 determination that Nicaragua’s acts and policies on labor rights, human rights, and the rule of law are unreasonable and burden or restrict US commerce, according to a press release...

Acosta Group Unveils 2026 Top Consumer Predictions  

Acosta Group has unveiled its four consumer predictions for 2026, highlighting the increasing importance of personalization and innovation for achieving success and relevance.

Colin Stewart, EVP of Business Intelligence at Acosta Group, noted, "Technology and evolving consumer lifestyles continue to reshape the shopping experience, as do the expectations, priorities, and values driving purchases. This creates fresh opportunities for brands, retailers, and foodservice operators to predict consumer needs and drive excitement and trust," based on comprehensive research conducted with the company's 40,000-member shopper community.

The predictions include:

• Shoppers turning to...

Farmers, Producers, and Ag Leaders Praise President Trump’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today highlighted the outpouring of support from governors, commodity groups, farm bureaus, and agriculture industry leaders across the country following President Trump’s announcement of $12 billion in Farmer Bridge Assistance Program payments. As producers battle historic market disruptions, rising input costs, and the lingering effects of foreign trade manipulation, agriculture leaders are praising the administration’s swift action to deliver relief and strengthen the farm safety net. Below is a compilation of what they are saying about this critical support for...

Farm Bureau Welcomes USDA Approach to Regenerative Agriculture

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall today commented on the announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) about a new Regenerative Agriculture Initiative that leverages existing programs, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), to advance regenerative practices.

“We value USDA’s acknowledgement that farmers have long practiced regenerative agriculture on their farms, both through federal conservation programs and on their own. Building on these efforts by leveraging existing voluntary and incentive-based programs to advance additional regenerative goals sounds like smart...

ANALYSIS: Texas 2025 Beef Quality Surges as Select Supplies Collapse to Record Lows

Texas has reached record-low Select grading percentages, falling roughly 26% below 2024 levels and settling near 20% of cattle grading Select in Texas. At the same time, the state is posting a 52-week high for Choice grade, with nearly 69% of cattle grading in that category. This shift reflects a notable quality improvement in the cattle being harvested and marks one of the most pronounced grade spreads the region has seen in recent years. 

A number of factors are contributing to the...

ANALYSIS: Loads Traded and Consumer Buying Trends for Ribs and 0x1 Strips in November

With bone-in heavy and boneless heavy ribs both at higher price levels this year, buyers were looking for a more economical option for the holidays. Bone-in heavy ribs were roughly 11% higher compared to 2024 and about 17% more than the three-year average. Boneless heavy ribs were 9.39% higher compared to 2024 and about 18% more than the three-year average. Strips were no exception, with them being 20% more than 2024 and 29% higher than the three-year...

The Retail Rundown: A Preview of Christmas Favorites

Few protein items embody the year-end holiday spirit quite like the classic Christmas ham and the standing rib roast. These iconic centerpiece proteins often dominate holiday tables, shaping both wholesale market trends and retail advertising strategies.

This year, the wholesale beef rib market kicked off its seasonal rise in late July, climbing 32% between July 28 and Thanksgiving week. Since then, the market has shifted into typical year-end procurement mode with a generally steady undertone, and holiday buying is expected to wrap soon...

Farm Bureau: Farmers Grateful for Help Through Economic Storm

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s announcement to provide financial relief and an economic bridge for America’s farmers and ranchers until benefits from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reach the farm.

“Farmers are grateful to President Trump and Secretary Brooke Rollins for providing resources that, for many, could make the difference between staying in business to plant another crop, or shuttering a family farm.

“America’s farmers have been hit from every direction during this economic storm. They face the same high prices as all of...

Campbell’s Acquisition of La Regina Announced Alongside Earnings

On December 9, The Campbell’s Company officials announced plans to acquire a majority stake in an Italian tomato processor called La Regina Di San Marzano, according to the company’s latest earnings report. By the second half of 2026, the acquisition will be complete after two payments toward the total $286 million valuation, according to Campbell's leaders. 

The company entered into definitive agreements to acquire a 49% interest in La Regina, the producer of Rao’s tomato-based pasta sauces...

ANALYSIS: Growing Cage-Free Supply Outpaces Demand

The cage-free market has come under renewed pressure this week as post-holiday demand has eased and expanding production continued to add volume to the supply chain. Retailers are focused primarily on replenishment, and while those needs remain moderately elevated by seasonal standards, they have not been strong enough to absorb the level of product now entering coolers.

Much of the week’s pressure stems from the supply side. With more birds back in production and conventional demand tapering, far fewer cage-free eggs are being down-packed—removing an...

Trump Admin Roundtable Discussion: Bridge Payments to Farmers, Soybean Purchases, Fair Trade, EUDR

On December 8, US President Trump held a roundtable meeting with members of the US farming community, Agriculture Secretary Rollins, Treasury Secretary Bessent, and others at the White House to announce monetary support to farmers impacted by the US trade policy. 

The administration announced plans to provide $12 billion in tariff income-fueled support for farmers, to address the high costs of farm equipment, and to examine anti-competitive behavior in the food supply chain...

Instacart App Launches in OpenAI ChatGPT 

Instacart (NASDAQ: CART), the leading grocery technology company in North America, today announced that it is the first grocery partner to launch an app on ChatGPT and the first to offer an embedded, end-to-end shopping and Instant Checkout -- all within the context of a ChatGPT conversation. This new integration makes it easier than ever for people to go from meal inspiration to doorstep delivery, using Instacart's real-time grocery network and fulfillment capabilities with the help of OpenAI frontier model capabilities.

"Instacart and ChatGPT are redefining what's possible in AI-powered shopping," said Anirban...

FDA’s 30-Month Traceability Rule Extension Draws Spotlight as January Deadline Nears

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first proposed in August 2025 to extend the compliance deadline for its Food Traceability Rule (FTR) by 30 months—a move that, if finalized, would push the date from January 20, 2026, to July 20, 2028.

As of now, companies are still required to comply by January 2026, which is just over a month away. This looming deadline, coupled with the proposal’s uncertainty, has sharply heightened industry anxiety, with some warning of possible operational shutdowns or severe disruptions for those unable...

Secretary Rollins Announces Major Investment for Rural Communities Across Georgia

Today in Georgia, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced $501 million in investments for 59 rural development projects and an additional $405 million in affordable housing in communities across the state of Georgia. These unprecedented investments, coordinated by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD), will help boost Georgia’s economy, develop rural infrastructure, and encourage private investment in America’s heartland.

“President Trump understands how important it is to have a safe, secure, and resilient farm economy. These USDA investments are a direct result of the promise President Trump made to make rural....