China Pushes Back Beef Anti-Dumping Probe to January 26
China’s anti-dumping investigation into imported beef will be extended by another two months until January 26, 2026, according to the China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).
Initially scheduled to conclude in August 2025, the investigation timeline was first extended by three months to November 26 “due to the large workload and complex case,” the ministry stated on August 6.
MOFCOM began the investigation on December 27, 2024, following a request from China’s Animal Agriculture Association and nine industry associations representing major beef-producing areas...
Submit comment or question
Note: All comments are displayed with user's screen name. If screen name is not present, user's full name will be used. Please go to My Account to update your screen name.
Comment Policy: Urner Barry has made the comment feature available to encourage further discussion of our news stories. Defamatory or offensive comments, or comments deemed not relevant to the story will be removed, and if necessary, Urner Barry may restrict the right of individual subscribers to offer comments. In all cases, comments represent opinions of the poster only, and do not represent fact, news, opinions or estimates put forward by Urner Barry.
Email Address is required. Password is required.
ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s Oct 2025 Beef Exports Hit Five-Year Trough as Output Cuts Back
New Zealand’s beef exports in October 2025 fell to the lowest level in five years, shedding for the fifth straight month at 25,581 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Stats NZ.
Sinking to the lowest level since October 2020, outbound shipments fell another 4.9% month-on-month (MOM) or 1,314 mt lower.
The decline was driven by lower shipments to the United States (US), China, Japan, and Korea, while shipments to Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) recorded strong gains...
ANALYSIS: The Evolving US Tariff Landscape and Implications for Brazilian Beef
Recent tariff policy changes in the US reshaped market conditions for Brazilian beef suppliers. Earlier in the year, Brazil had faced a sharp slowdown in beef exports to the US after reciprocal tariffs were introduced. In the latest policy changes last week, the US announced new reciprocal trade frameworks across Central and South America and selected Asian markets. Initially, Brazil remained subject to the separate 40% additional tariff, which was also lifted later in the week, fully aligning Brazil with the new tariff-free conditions.
Brazilian fresh beef exports...
ANALYSIS: US Clod Tender Chaos, 2025 Blows the Roof Off Beef Pricing Records
The Choice clod tender has maintained record highs in 2025 compared with previous years, reaching a seasonal peak above $11.00/lb. Even after softening from mid‑October into late November, the current value near $9.32/lb remains well above the same period in 2022–2024, underscoring a firm pricing environment. This year’s price trajectory is a clear outlier, driven by active demand and notably constrained supplies.
Seasonal trends remain intact across the years shown: prices typically build through late spring and summer before easing into fall. In 2025, that familiar pattern is...
ANALYSIS: Fall Pork Supply Review - Slaughter Strength and Cutout Reduction
The weekly carcass cutout shows a clear and uninterrupted decline beginning in early September and extending through Friday’s close on 11/21/25, with values retracing steadily from a late-summer rally, which saw the cutout at 3-year highs, marking the seasonal decline for 2025 commencing much later than in previous years. Since the first week of September, the downturn has been gradual but persistent, shaped by fully adequate product availability, softer domestic demand, and a measured export pull that has not generated the counter-seasonal lift typically observed during this timeframe...
Expana Publication Schedule for the Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Expana will be observing the Thanksgiving Day holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28, which will impact the publication of some Expana Benchmark Prices. All US offices will be closed on those days; daily reports (red meat, poultry, eggs) will not be published, and the following weekly, biweekly, and monthly reports will be impacted:
ANALYSIS: Turkey Breast Prices Break Correlation Pattern
In the turkey market, there is a disconnect between the value of breast meat and bone-in breasts. During November, the five-year average price difference between fresh tom breast meat and 8-10 lb. institutional-sized breasts hovers between $3.39 and $3.42. This year, the difference for the week prior to Thanksgiving sits at $5.18, 51.5% higher than the five-year average.
While one might be tempted to think lower institutional-sized breast prices are contributing to this large price spread between the two items...
ANALYSIS: New US Imported Beef Tariff Landscape Effects Ahead of 2026
On Thursday November 20, the White House signed an order to remove the 40% tariff on a variety of Brazilian agricultural products, which included beef. This announcement came after reciprocal tariffs were lifted on November 13, allowing other major beef exporters like Australia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Argentina, and Uruguay to no longer contend with an extra 10-18% tariff depending on the origin.
US domestic beef prices have reached record highs as cattle supplies in the region are lower given the cyclical nature of cattle supply...
Chipotle Names Josh Weinstein to Its Board of Directors
Chipotle Mexican Grill today announced a new addition to its board of directors, Josh Weinstein, effective immediately.
Josh Weinstein has served as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of Carnival Corporation & plc, one of the world's largest leisure travel companies, since 2022. During his over 20-year tenure with Carnival Corporation & plc, he served as its Chief Operations Officer from 2020 to 2022; President of Carnival UK from 2017 to 2020; Treasurer from 2007 to 2017; and as an attorney in the corporate...
PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 37 - Thanksgiving Dinner Index Up 28% in 2025
Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals.
On today's episode, we dive into Expana's 2025 Thanksgiving Dinner Index. 2025 has been an extraordinary year. When we look back, we’ve seen unprecedented geopolitical events unfold, tariffs, trade agreements, inflation and other economic uncertainties. How has this impacted Thanksgiving staples? Listen now!
Nebraska Cattlemen Disappointed by Tyson Foods' Beef Processing Plant Closure in Lexington
The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors released the following statement in response to Tyson Foods’ announcement it will permanently close the beef processing plant in Lexington:
“We are disappointed by Tyson’s decision to permanently close the Lexington beef processing facility – especially in light of today’s USDA data indicating that Nebraska cattle-on-feed inventories remain slightly above year-ago levels in spite of the ongoing cyclical tightness in overall U.S. cattle numbers. We firmly believe there isn’t a better place to efficiently and economically raise cattle and produce beef than Nebraska. As this...
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...
ANALYSIS: US Choice Chuck Flap at a Record High
Chuck flap is an item that can be cooked in many ways. Most of the time, this cut is slow cooked but can be used in high-heat cooking depending on its intended use. On the East Coast, specifically the New England area, consumer buying interest is driven by dishes that include steak tips, which favor the slow cooking method.
I bring up these cooking methods because recently the Choice chuck flap reached a record high. This is due to increased demand for the cut, specifically driven right now by buying interest from market...
ANALYSIS: WOG Prices Turn Upward Despite Values Lagging Behind Past Norms
3-lb. to 3.5-lb. WOG prices are entering the seasonal period where values typically firm into the end of the year. The historical pattern is clear: November and December routinely post some of the highest pricing of the calendar year as consumer behavior shifts around holiday shopping. Families spend more time outside the home and lean heavily on convenience foods like rotisserie chickens or deli-prepared eight-piece fried chicken. The consistent bump in retail and food service pull has historically translated into a reliable lift on whole chicken markets. Over the past five seasons, the average increase...
ANALYSIS: Comparing Cage-Free Demand This Thanksgiving to Last
Cage-free wholesale values continued to rise this week as Thanksgiving baking demand surged across retail channels. Large national chains have maintained affordable shelf pricing through November, driving strong consumer sales as households prepare for the peak baking period. At some of these chains, cage-free eggs are positioned below $1.50/dozen—an uncommon and striking inversion that puts them roughly 50cts below conventional shelf prices in many other regions. In effect, shelf prices are trending lower than they were heading into Thanksgiving last year, supporting consistent foot traffic despite ongoing pressure on household budgets...
ANALYSIS: EU Egg Market Steadies, Yet Avian Flu Keeps Tension Alive
The EU egg market appears to be settling after a period of sharp price escalation. As industrial buyers scale back year-end procurement, the urgency that had driven recent firming has eased, allowing spot values to stabilize, with slight softening appearing in some segments. Yet supply across most of the EU remains constrained, with only isolated pockets of improvement.
Dried yolk remains a pronounced bullish outlier. Strong demand and minimal inventories continue to push values upward. Its essential role in high-value food applications and limited substitution options keep buyers compelled to secure supply despite rising costs...
USDA Update on Coordinated Federal Response To Protect United States From New World Screwworm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in close collaboration with our interagency partners and Mexico’s El Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA), has made considerable progress in reducing the overall threat of New World screwworm (NWS) to U.S. agriculture and mitigating northern movement of the fly within Mexico. As of November 21, NWS has not been detected in any animals or traps in the United States, and the vast majority of cases within Mexico remain concentrated in southern parts of the country. The Trump Administration remains steadfast in its resolve to safeguard America’s rural economy...
Serving Holidays with a Side of Chaos: Dr. Seuss's The Grinch Meal Is Coming to McDonald's
CODE PICKLE: Dr. Seuss's The Grinch has successfully slipped into the Golden Arches and on Dec. 2, he's unleashing The Grinch Meal. The meal, made in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and McDonald's, will be available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time, while supplies last. His diabolical culinary debut features Dill Pickle "Grinch Salt" McShaker Fries, arriving for the first time in the U.S.
Sprinkle the tangy, dill pickle seasoning into the McShaker bag and shake for a bold...
Container Trades Statistics is Tracking Towards a Record-Breaking Year
Revised figures for August 2025 now show global liftings at 16.8 million TEUs, marking the highest monthly volume ever recorded in the CTS database. This new record surpasses the 2nd previous high set in July 2025 by more than 220,000 TEUs.
As expected, September 2025 volumes eased month on month, falling 5.6% from August’s exceptional levels. Despite this decline, global volumes for September still reached a solid 15.86 million TEUs, representing a 5% increase compared with September 2024. This brings the third quarter of 2025 to a close with a...
Save A Lot and Forage Launch SNAP EBT Payments on Uber Eats
Forage, the mission-driven payments company, and Save A Lot, one of the nation's largest value-focused grocers, today announced that SNAP EBT is live on Uber Eats at more than 325 participating Save A Lot locations. The launch makes it easier for families in food deserts, seniors, people with disabilities, and households without reliable transportation to get groceries delivered the same day.
"As a hometown grocer, we serve many communities where full-service grocery options are limited," said...
ANALYSIS: China’s Oct 2025 Beef Imports Retreat from Record Highs at 281,292 mt
China’s October 2025 beef imports eased back from September’s record highs at 281,292 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
While inbound tonnage slips, volumes remained the second highest on record this year. Shipments fell 11.0% month-on-month (MOM) or 34,593 mt, driven by declines from most key suppliers like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, and Uruguay. Bolivia was the sole exception, partially offsetting the overall drop...
ANALYSIS: A Long-Awaited Look at the Latest Broiler Hatch Figures
After considerable anticipation, the USDA has begun releasing updates to its hatchery report, and the latest data largely confirms what market participants have been expecting. For the week ending November 15th, broiler-type production showed mixed signals throughout October and early November. Weekly egg sets stood at 248 million, reflecting a modest 1% year-over-year (YOY) decline from 2024’s elevated levels, but still ranking among the highest seasonal readings on record.
Chick placements followed a similar pattern when compared to much of the...
ANALYSIS: Wholesale Fresh Turkey Quotations Up 31% Year-Over-Year as Supply Tightens
Fresh wholesale turkey quotations currently sit at a value of $1.77, the second-highest seasonal price on record. This is up 31.1% year-over-year (YOY) and is 10.0% above the 5-year average for this time period. Meanwhile, last week’s retail values for fresh 16-24 lbs. turkeys were only higher than those of last year at the same time, by 19.5%.
In 2024, the retail value of fresh whole turkeys was held above the wholesale value up until the week...
ANALYSIS: Brazil-Mexico Beef Imports Ease Ahead of PACIC Renewal
Brazil’s beef exports to Mexico moved lower in October, as participants reported being adequately covered for both short- and medium-term needs, reducing the urgency for additional bookings. Some participants had maintained a more cautious stance while the industry awaited the decision on the PACIC renewal, which was finally confirmed this week. The announcement removed a point of uncertainty, although participants indicated that it is still too early to determine whether the extension will materially influence short-term import activity...
ANALYSIS: China’s October 2025 Meat Imports Halt Four-Month Rally, Slump 10% MOM
China’s October 2025 meat imports, variety meats included, came in at about 490,000 metric tons (mt), slumping 9.9% compared to a month ago, according to preliminary data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Inbound tonnage pulled back nearly 55,000 mt, a marked reversal from August’s figures following four straight months of growth.
On an annual basis, imports fell 8.4%. The lingering impact of official alcohol curbs has carried into the second half, with upscale dining and hospitality still struggling to rebound, hindering...
Australia: Beef Production Hits Record Highs as Lamb and Mutton Turnoff Slows
Australia’s cattle industry continues to set new benchmarks, with the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures confirming record beef production for the September quarter.
At the same time, sheep and lamb slaughter has eased significantly following last year’s peak turnoff.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)’s Manager for Market Information, Stephen Bignell said that strong seasonal conditions across northern Australia have underpinned the surge in cattle numbers.
Pork Exports Remain Strong in August; Beef Decline Continues; Lamb Exports Trend Higher
USDA has released August red meat export data, which was delayed due to the lengthy government shutdown. As compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), August data showed a relatively strong performance for U.S. pork exports and an uptick in shipments of U.S. lamb cuts. But beef exports were sharply lower than a year ago, impacted heavily by an impasse with China that has effectively locked U.S. beef out of the world’s largest import market.
August pork exports totaled 236,311 metric tons (mt), down 1% from a year ago, valued at $685.9 million (down 2%)....
AHDB - Cautious Global Pork Market Outlook for 2026
Rabobank’s latest pork report presents a cautious global pork market outlook heading into 2026. Despite easing feed costs due to record North American crop harvests and favourable planting conditions in South America, growth remains constrained by the influence of trade tensions, disease risks, and regulatory challenges. Producers are prioritising better productivity, biosecurity, and heavier carcass weights to offset limited herd expansion.
Regional Highlights
Europe (EU-27 + UK)
European pork production increased by 3.5% year-on-year (YOY) in July 2025, led by Spain (+7%) and Poland (+5%). Exports rose 3% YOY, supported by the recent US-China trade tensions. However...
The Retail Rundown: Cheaper Turkeys Hit Shelves Despite Wholesale Price Surge
This Thanksgiving, holiday shoppers might spot some relief: retail turkey prices have eased, even as wholesale values climb toward near-record highs.
Ongoing challenges, such as persistent bird flu outbreaks and relatively low hatch rates, have limited production all year, leaving supplies exceptionally thin ahead of the holiday.
While retailers secure turkeys well in advance to build cold-storage inventories, frozen whole-bird stocks in 2025 remain near seasonal record lows, leaving little supply cushion...
Americans Plan to Dine Out More in 2026 as OpenTable Reports Strong Industry Growth
OpenTable’s newly released 2026 Dining Trends Report shows that despite mixed views on the economy, Americans continue to prioritize eating out, driving steady growth across the foodservice industry.
According to the analysis, dining out increased 8% year-over-year in 2025, and consumers expect for that to increase in 2026.
"As we head into 2026, there's good news for the restaurant industry: our new research shows that people continue to make room in their lives and budgets for dining out...
ANALYSIS: Australia’s Q3 2025 Beef Production Soar to Record Highs, Cattle Kills Highest Since 1978
Australia’s Q3 2025 beef production surged to a record 759,270 metric tons (mt), as cattle slaughters hit their highest level since 1978, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Rising 5.8% from Q2, the quarterly increment of 41,379 mt was fueled by growth across all beef-producing regions, led by strong gains in Queensland, Australia’s top producer, and New South Wales...
Farm Bureau: Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Declines
Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for your friends and family will cost less than last year, marking the third straight year of price declines. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of Thanksgiving staples that make up a classic holiday feast for 10, which is $55.18 or about $5.52 per person.
This is a 5% decrease from 2024. Three years of declines don’t fully erase dramatic increases that led to a record-high cost of $64.05 in 2022.
The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey...
FEATURED STORIES