Kennedy Set to Release New Nutrition Guidelines
He has promised a major shake-up of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Here’s what experts are watching for.
When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as health secretary last year, he pledged to improve Americans’ well-being. Now, he and others in his Make America Healthy Again orbit are trying to deliver on that promise by rewriting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the government’s official guidance on what to eat and drink for good health.
The guidelines, updated every five years, haven’t changed much in substance since...
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ANALYSIS: China’s Beef Trade Braces for Change as 2026 Safeguard Quotas Come into Play
As China signals a harder line on beef imports with a steep 55% tariff on shipments exceeding country-specific quotas, Brazil and Australia stand out as the suppliers most susceptible to disruption.
This latest safeguard measure, announced by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on December 31, stands to reconfigure trade flows by curbing import volumes to China, the world’s largest beef market.
In this analysis, we examine the potential market impacts, and what to expect for global beef markets in the months ahead.
China’s Safeguard Tariff Explained...
ANALYSIS: US Imported Beef Prices Increased 22% YOY on Average in 2025
After evaluating year-over-year average prices for commonly traded imported boneless beef items, most offerings rose in a narrow band, roughly 20-23%, from 2024 to 2025. The largest gains were posted by South American 90% and Central American 95%, each up about 23%, with Brazilian 90% and multiple Aus/NZ items clustering just below that level. Overall, the data show a broad-based increase across origins and lean levels rather than isolated spikes in a single product or origin...
NPFDA Welcome Treasurer and Six New Board Members
The National Protein and Food Distributors Association (NPFDA) announced recent changes to its Board of Directors, including the appointment of Scott Robbert, Vice President of Logistics at EJ Poultry, as Treasurer.
Robbert will join the 2026 NPFDA Officers:
The official induction will take place during the Annual Convention & Protein Suppliers Showcase at the Hyatt...
FMI Reacts to New USDA Guidance on SNAP Waivers
Today, FMI – The Food Industry Association Chief Public Policy Officer Jennifer Hatcher offered the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) long-awaited Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer compliance guidance to implement food restriction waivers:
“FMI members remain committed to supporting the health and nutrition goals of all customers — including SNAP participants — and we appreciate the USDA confirmation that each state-issued food restriction waiver will include a 90-day grace period following its implementation date. This transition window is essential to helping retailers identify and raise compliance issues...
A Year of Change, Value, and Growth in Foodservice
As we closed the month of December and ushered out the year 2025, we look back at some of the most memorable moments in foodservice. From corporate controversy to shifting consumer behavior, the year delivered no shortage of headlines.
Controversy erupted when a popular chain restaurant walked back a logo redesign that ultimately spilled into the political arena. "Value" emerged as the buzzword of the year as restaurants competed to give consumers more for their money. Meanwhile, beef prices climbed to historic highs, pushing chicken into the spotlight as diners...
Whole Foods Market’s Top Food Trends to Watch in 2026
Whole Foods Market has released its annual forecast of the top food and beverage trends expected to shape shopping carts, kitchens, and consumer preferences in 2026. Developed by the retailer’s Trends Council, a group of buyers, culinary experts, and industry scouts, the list reflects emerging patterns in health, convenience, sustainability, and food culture.
One notable shift is the resurgence of beef tallow, a traditional cooking fat prized for its rich flavor and high smoke point. Once a staple of classic kitchens, tallow is being rediscovered by consumers interested in...
ANALYSIS: Disease Outbreaks Deepen Crisis in Polish Poultry Sector in 2025
In Poland, infectious disease outbreaks emerged as one of the most pressing challenges facing the poultry industry in 2025, as millions of birds were culled following widespread cases of avian influenza and Newcastle disease. Against a backdrop of potential export restrictions, record-high poultry prices, and intensifying regulatory pressures, the past year has ranked among the most difficult periods for the Polish poultry sector in recent years.
As of December 29, 2025, Polish veterinary authorities had confirmed 116 outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), affecting...
ANALYSIS: EU Shell Egg Market Eases Amid Holiday Slowdown and AI Risk
As 2025 comes to a close, feedback from market participants points to a gradually loosening EU shell egg market, with holiday-related slowdown and additional imports contributing to a more comfortable supply picture. Reduced trading activity around Christmas and New Year has translated into slower order placement, allowing stocks to build across several member states despite underlying structural tightness.
Market participants report that offers of shell eggs from Ukraine have increased, with quotations generally undercutting EU-origin product and adding to the sense...
USDA Announces Commodity Payment Rates for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
Eligible producers to receive pre-filled program applications and payments in February
Today [December 31, 2025], U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. As announced earlier this month by President Trump and Secretary Rollins, $12 billion will be paid to American farmers in 2026. Of that amount, $11 billion consists of one-time FBA program payments. This is in response to four years of disastrous Biden administration policies that created record-high input and production costs...
Expana to Observe New Year Holiday on January 1, 2026
Expana will be observing the New Year holiday on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
As previously announced, Market Insights and Market Updates were suspended beginning December 22 through January 2 with normal publishing to resume Monday January 5, 2026.
See the publication schedule for the 2025 Holiday Period here.
Additionally, the Editorial Department will not be publishing news on Thursday, January 1 and will resume normal publishing on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Happy New Year to all from everyone at Expana.
ANALYSIS: Frozen Whole Toms Rise From Five-Year Low to Near-Record Highs in 2025
The 16 lbs. frozen whole tom market started 2025 with the lowest value of the past 5-years. Starting in February though, it rose over the course of the year until it now sits at the second highest value ever recorded. This year’s December quotations fall only behind 2022 when the current outbreak of HPAI started. The value of frozen whole turkeys increased through much of 2022 before stabilizing in November. Prices then plateaued through April of 2023 before rapidly falling through the rest of the year. Quotations maintained a sideways trend through...
ANALYSIS: Chicken Inventories Hold Steady Amid Category Divergence
The USDA’s most recent cold storage release presents a mixed backdrop for the chicken complex as November came to a close, with key categories moving in notably different directions. Even so, inventory levels remained tightly clustered around both last November’s close and October’s ending stocks. At 814.9 million pounds, November’s total frozen chicken inventories ranked as the ninth-highest seasonal level in at least the past three decades. This figure reflects a 0.7% year-over-year (YOY) increase and a modest 0.4% rise from October. For context, month-over-month (MOM)...
ANALYSIS: Tighter Cattle Supplies and Rising Costs Set to Shape Irish Beef Prices in 2026
The Expana price for cattle steer in Ireland stood at €7.27/kg in the week ending December 10, 2025, representing a 2.9% decline month-over-month (MOM), while remaining sharply higher on an annual basis, up 31.2% year-over-year (YOY). Despite the recent monthly easing, prices continue to reflect tight supply conditions and strong underlying market fundamentals.
Ireland exports approximately 90% of its beef production, meaning global market conditions play a decisive role in shaping domestic cattle prices. While short-term fluctuations in local supply can influence prices temporarily, export market trends remain...
Secretary Rollins Announces New Priorities for Research and Development in 2026
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, signed a Secretary’s Memorandum (PDF, 909 KB) that puts forth a focused effort to establish new priorities for future research and development activities funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen national security, protect U.S. agriculture, and support American farmers and consumers.
The American farm economy suffered under failed Biden-Harris Administration policies that drove up inflation, created a weak trade agenda that resulted in no new trade deals for American commodities, and propagated crippling overregulation. Further, misguided policies focused on DEI and environmental justice in agricultural research, extension, and education programs diverted...
USDA Advances Farm Security Action Plan to Protect US Farmland and Federal Programs from Foreign Adversaries
As committed to under USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan (PDF, 1.2 MB) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced a number of coordinated actions to continue to emphasize American agricultural research and innovation by ensuring ideas stay in America or among our allies, not with hostile nations and that we are putting American farmers and ranchers first in every USDA program, period.
These historic actions strengthen transparency around foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land and ensure federal programs and purchasing preferences do not support supply chains controlled by...
China Imposes Additional 55% Tariffs on Imported Beef
China today (December 31) imposed additional 55% tariffs on beef imports from countries including Brazil, Australia and the US when shipments exceed certain quotas, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).
The tariffs will apply to imported beef, effective January 1, 2026, according to the ministry.
The measures take effect ahead of the investigation’s revised January 26 deadline, marking a sharp shift in the pace of the case, with many of the most affected suppliers caught during the year-end Christmas and New Year closures.
A Chinese importer told Expana today
ANALYSIS: Bone-In Ham Market Transitions Post-Holiday
According to Circana retail data, retail bone-in half ham activity has softened following the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday demand period, with prices and sales pulling back in line with typical seasonal patterns. Discounted retail prices moved lower into mid-December, settling in the $1.30–1.55/lb range, roughly 50% below late-November and early-December holiday highs near $2.80–3.00/lb, while non-discounted prices eased to the $1.85–1.95/lb range, about 38% below peak holiday levels...
Burger King® and Popeyes® Announce New Head Chefs
Burger King® and Popeyes® have each announced a new Head Chef – promoting existing top talent within Restaurant Brands International (RBI).
Amy Alarcon has been appointed Head Chef for Burger King, U.S. & Canada, following 18 years as a culinary leader and Head Chef at Popeyes. Amy previously led Popeyes’ success in shaping the brand’s culinary identity and driving category-defining menu innovation, including the iconic Popeyes Chicken Sandwich.
In her new role, Chef Amy will lead the Burger King culinary strategy...
Long John Silver’s Brings Back $6 Fish & Chicken Basket
Long John Silver’s is bringing back its popular fish baskets, harmonizing flavors from both sea and land while delivering the value customers seek. This revival features the $6 Fish & Chicken Basket for a limited time.
"Guests have been telling us for years that our chicken is a best-kept secret," said Christopher Caudill, Long John Silver's senior vice president of marketing and innovation. "Our hand-battered chicken strips—known as Chicken Planks—are every bit as crave-worthy as our legendary fish. It's time we let that secret...
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