FMI Statement on December CPI Food Price Numbers

Today [January 13, 2026], FMI – The Food Industry Association commented on the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which show a 0.7% rise in food-at-home prices for December and a 2.4% increase over the last 12 months. FMI Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig offered the following statement.  

“Today’s CPI numbers reflect the ongoing challenge of bringing food inflation under control. Overall inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, and food prices also disappointingly reflected...

Top 10 Headlines on Expana in 2025—and What Could Shape the Next Year in Food and Ag

2025 was a big year for news in the food and agriculture industry. Headlines ranging from livestock diseases and sweeping policy changes to rising geopolitical tensions, shifting tariffs, weather events, and evolving consumer trends influenced commercial strategies, supply chains, and global market dynamics... 

Meat & Poultry Processors Contribute $57.3 Billion to US Economy & Provide 584,000 Jobs

The Meat Institute today released an economic study that found the meat and poultry processing industry contributes $57.3 billion to the US economy and provides 584,000 jobs. The entire meat and poultry industry, including livestock production, animal feed, equipment manufacturing, transportation and more contributes $347.7 billion in value to the nation, supporting 3.2 million jobs.

“The meat and poultry industry is a critical and growing part of the US economy, and one that has outsized importance to rural economies,” said Meat...

Researchers Explore mRNA Vaccine Technology for Protection Against Poultry Diseases

USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a research project focused on creating a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine platform for two major poultry viruses: infectious bronchitis virus and infectious laryngotracheitis virus. The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing and is made possible in part through proceeds from the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo...

USDA Welcomes Nevada into State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced that Nevada has met USDA’s rigorous "at least equal to" food safety standard and will be joining the State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) Program. Nevada’s participation expands local inspection capacity, food safety oversight, and boosts market access for small and very small processors. This vital partnership builds on USDA’s recently released suite of actions to strengthen the American beef industry.

“We are strengthening the backbone of America’s food system by forging true partnerships with states and empowering local producers,” said Secretary Rollins. “Today’s action builds on our commitment to deliver clear, accountable food safety standards and support small...

Hormel Foods Corporation Announces Leadership Appointment and Provides Business Updates

Leadership Appointment

Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today announced the appointment of Paul Kuehneman as interim chief financial officer and controller, effective October 27, 2025. He will report to Jeff Ettinger, interim chief executive officer, and is accountable for the Company’s accounting, finance, treasury, and internal controls functions.

With more than 30 years of business and finance experience at Hormel Foods, Kuehneman has held a variety of leadership roles, including director of internal audit, vice president and chief financial officer for the Jennie-O Turkey Store, assistant controller, and most...

USPOULTRY Foundation Provides $331,292 in Grants to Support Student Recruitment

The USPOULTRY Foundation awarded student recruiting grants totaling $331,292 to six U.S. universities with Poultry Science departments and 21 other institutions with industry-related programs. The Foundation provides annual recruiting and retention funds to colleges and universities to attract or connect students to their poultry programs or the industry. The grants were made possible in part by gifts to the USPOULTRY Foundation from companies, individuals and families, in addition to funds earned over the years from the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo.

The six poultry science departments receiving the grants are...

NCC Comments on Definition of “Ultra-Processed Foods”

In response to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) request for information to assist in developing a uniform definition of “ultra-processed foods,” NCC yesterday submitted detailed comments expressing recommendations and concerns.

NCC expressed general concerns about a classification system and contends that FDA and USDA should bolster existing frameworks and consumer education as science evolves instead of pursuing a classification system at all. However, should the Agencies choose to move forward with a classification system, NCC urges the use of a uniform, science-based approach...

NCC Elects New Officers; Simmons Foods’ David Jackson Installed as Chairman

The National Chicken Council (NCC) has installed the four officers that will guide the organization through 2026. The installation took place yesterday at NCC’s 70th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. David Jackson, Chief Operating Officer of Simmons Foods, will serve as 2025-2026 Chairman.

David is responsible for running operations across the Simmons brands, including Simmons Foods, Simmons Prepared Foods, Simmons Pet Food, and Simmons Animal Nutrition. David joined Simmons in 1991 and has over three decades of poultry and pet food leadership. He has held important roles throughout the company, including President and Chief Operating Officer for Simmons’ poultry operations and Simmons Pet Food, as well as...

China's Meat Output Rises Nearly 4% Through Third Quarter 2025 as Imports Fall

China’s meat sector rose 3.8% through the first three quarters of 2025, driven by strong domestic poultry output, while import volumes slumped, according to recently released data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). 

The broader economic picture shows that the world’s second-largest economy grew 4.8% during Q3, its slowest pace in a year, as weak domestic demand left China increasingly dependent on strong export activity. 

Although the growth rate keeps China on track for its roughly 5% annual target, economists question whether the momentum is sustainable, given the country's reliance on external demand amid trade tensions with the United States...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4

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 #4."

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...