Mintec's 2024 US Easter Index
Mintec’s US Easter Index measures price fluctuations across key food commodities that are typically consumed in the US during the Easter period. The US Easter Index compares the commodities’ prices in March 2024 against March 2023 to determine whether consumers will be hypothetically better or worse off this Easter. The Index is comprised of three sub-indices: the US Easter Protein Index represents a selection of meats, fish and eggs that will typically be eaten as part of a main Easter dinner; the US Easter Chocolate Index compares the main...
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.
KFC Takes Finger Lickin' Good to a Whole New Level with New Saucy Nuggets in Five Dripping Flavors
KFC is getting saucy and taking its finger lickin' good chicken nuggets to a whole new level with NEW Saucy Nuggets, with five flavors available at KFC restaurants nationwide starting April 1! The news comes one year after KFC introduced its 100% white meat, hand-breaded chicken nuggets, which quickly became a crowd-pleaser.
For just $5.99,* you can get 10 of KFC's new Saucy Nuggets, dripping in one of FIVE delicious sauce flavors, including three brand-new sauces...
Jack Link’s® Unveils a Sweet Collaboration with Dr Pepper® That Brings Two Classic Tastes Together
Jack Link’s® and Dr Pepper® have teamed up to bring you a one-of-a-kind flavorful experience with the release of Jack Link’s WILD Dr Pepper® inspired flavored meat stick and Jack Link’s Dr Pepper® inspired flavored beef jerky. Infused with the distinctive flavors inspired by Dr Pepper®, each bite of Jack Link’s meat snacks delivers a delightful blend of sweet and savory sensations.
“Pairing two flavor icons like Jack Link’s and Dr Pepper is sure...
ANALYSIS: Turkey Inventories: Frostbite, or Ready to Take Flight?
Although the turkey marketing backdrop has been relatively sedate leading up to Easter, industry players still have quite a lot to mull over as we fast approach Q2. One report which has garnered attention recently is February’s Cold Storage assessment..
As depicted by this week’s chart, month-over-month (MoM) movement of most key lines kept closely with the established seasonal trend. Comparative yearly figures, however, were a mixed bag; ranging as high as 98% above, to as low as 15% below, 2023.
Starting with the cumulative data, total inward movement...
ANALYSIS: Urner Barry’s Cage-Free Quote Sees Volatile Start since January Launch
Though still in its early stages, Urner Barry’s rest-of-market (NE, MW, SE, SC) cage-free large shell egg quotation has already encountered considerable pressure since launching at the beginning of 2024. From mid-January to early February, this pressure was predominantly positive—partly because the New Year also marked the start of cage-free legislative mandates in the Northwest, which bolstered demand in that region. With local production insufficient to cover orders, suppliers turned to the spot market for eggs sourced from other regions...
ANALYSIS: Cattle Futures Plummet to Multi-Month Lows on Market Uncertainty
Live cattle and feeder futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) have been under significant selling pressure in recent sessions, weighed in part by bearish USDA data and market uncertainty following the detection of bird flu in dairy cattle.
The cattle complex rounded out last week in lower territory ahead of the monthly USDA cattle-on-feed report. Analysts participating in the Urner Barry survey anticipated a 6.3% year-over-year increase in February placements following a sharp decline the previous month...
Global Entertainment Icon USHER Becomes Newest Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchisee
Dave’s Hot Chicken, the wildly popular Nashville-style hot chicken sensation that started out seven years ago in an East Hollywood parking lot pop-up, today announced that Entertainment Icon USHER is investing in restaurants across Atlanta in the coming years. USHER will be partnering with Lawrence Kourie and Andrew Feghali, whose company is the longest-tenured Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise group, as well as one of the largest.
The eight-time Grammy Award-winning superstar previously experienced the full heat of Dave’s Hot Chicken when he tried the...
Biofuel and Ag Groups Call on EPA to Issue E15 Emergency Waiver
Today, Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, and National Sorghum Producers sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calling on Administrator Michael Regan to act swiftly on an emergency waiver for E15 sales:
“New and ongoing conflicts across the globe continue to pose risks to the United States’ transportation energy supply. In addition to the conflict in Ukraine, now extending into its third year, the recent unrest and volatility in the Middle East present additional challenges...
Mitsui Investing in Leading Indian Poultry Producer Sneha Farms
Japan’s Mitsui & Co., Ltd. is investing an undisclosed amount in integrated Indian poultry producer Sneha Farms Pvt. Ltd, one of India's leading companies in terms of production volume.
Sneha is based in Hyderabad, Telangana state. Established in 1982, the company employs approximately 5,500 staff. Its business units include feed manufacturing, broiler production, meat processing and packing, transportation, and retail. Its poultry processing plant has a 12,000 birds/hour capacity. The company also has five hatcheries.
Sneha Farms Private Limited operates six feed mills across the states of Telangana...
Fire at Korean Pig Farm; Over 18,000 Animal Casualties
In the early hours of 25th March, a fire erupted at a Korean pig farm located 50 kilometers south of Seoul, run by a farming cooperative in Icheon-si. Over 16,000 piglets and 2,300 sows were killed in the event.
The fire broke out at 5:45 am with three out of six pig barns being burnt down, as reported by Korean media sources.
No human casualties were reported.
Green Plains Demo Plant Opens, Bringing Online Additional Protein Ingredients Capacity
Commissioning has begun on Green Plains Inc’s new corn processing plant producing ‘‘ultra-high protein feed ingredients’’ (50% protein) as well as corn oil and biofuel inputs in York, Nebraska.
The plant in question is a demonstration facility combining Fluid Quip Technologies’ precision separation and processing technology (MSC™) with Shell Fiber Conversion Technology (SFCT), integrating fermentation, mechanical separation, and fibre conversation into one platform.
In 2021, Green Plains acquired a majority stake in Fluid Quip Technologies, whose technology allows corn processors to produce an alternative protein ingredient for...
Majority of EU Countries Ask Bloc to Scale Back Deforestation Law
Some 20 members of the European Union asked Brussels to scale back and possibly suspend the bloc's anti-deforestation law on Tuesday, saying the policy would harm farmers, in the latest blowback against Europe's environmental agenda.
The EU law aims to root deforestation out of supply chains for beef, soy and other agricultural products sold in Europe, so that European consumers are not contributing to the destruction of global forests from the Amazon to Southeast Asia.
Those rules equally apply to European farmers, who will be banned from exporting...
The Retail Rundown: Easter Features Breakdown
A March Easter is approaching—an occurrence not seen since 2016. Circulars are flush with holiday and springtime themes as grocers take full advantage of the upcoming weekend.
Pork feature volume rose through the ranks and earned the top spot of protein feature volume this week with 29% of ad space. Seafood eased to 25%, down from 32% last week. Lent ends tomorrow at sundown, meaning observers can soon indulge in meat on Fridays again.
Beef has 20% of retail activity while chicken features comprise 11% of protein ad volume. Turkey features more...
Francis Scott Key Bridge: Everything You Need To Know About The Collapse And Port of Baltimore Impact
Early Tuesday morning a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, damaging the structure and resulting in a partial collapse of the bridge. Cars were on the bridge at the time of the incident and “mass casualties” are feared.
The idea for the bridge came about in the late 1960s when Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, the first crossing of Baltimore’s Harbor, reached its traffic capacity. Construction on the bridge began in 1972, and it later opened to the public in March 1977...
ANALYSIS: Brazilian Beef Export Situation Update
Last week, the Brazilian beef export market exhibited cautious activity, with market participants closely watching reactions to the newly approved meat processing plants for exports to China. Despite an increase in supply options, buyers leveraged the situation to negotiate prices, while some sellers maintained their previous week’s rates. The result was a market finding a middle ground, with most traded items maintaining steady or slightly lower prices than the week before.
The supply-demand dynamic appears stable, as buyers, reportedly well-stocked, showed no urgency in closing deals...
ANALYSIS: High Whole EU Egg Prices Leave Little Room For Movement Ahead of Easter
Historically, the pre-Easter period in Europe has been a peak time for the egg industry, characterized by rising prices leading up to the extended holiday weekend. However, this year, the uptick has been comparatively subdued, with minimal deviation observed from the 2024 trendline. Over the past five years, cage liquid whole egg values have reached an average Easter peak of 1.76 €/kg, reflecting a 22.4% increase from the Q1 five-year average low. This year, the price increase has been more restrained...
Circana Announces Top 50 U.S. Restaurants
Circana™, the leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, today released its 2024 Definitive U.S. Restaurant Ranking Report, offering insights into evolving consumer habits, performance trends, and the top players in the industry.
While restaurant traffic saw a modest growth of 1% in 2023 compared to the previous year, a 5% increase in consumer spending was recorded, surpassing the 4% growth observed in 2022. Notably, the industry now stands as a half-a-trillion-dollar juggernaut, with dollars exceeding 2019 levels by 12%, despite traffic remaining 8% below prepandemic levels...
Pepper Announces Launch of Ferraro Foods App to More than 8,000 customers
Pepper, a leading provider of AI-driven solutions for the food distribution industry, is thrilled to announce its latest partnership with Ferraro Foods, a renowned name in the food service sector known for its commitment to delivering fresh ingredients and unparalleled quality service. This collaboration marks the launch of the highly anticipated Pepper App, designed to revolutionize how Ferraro Foods interacts with its extensive network of over 8,000 customers across 23 states.
"Our alliance with Pepper represents a significant milestone in our journey towards embracing digital transformation in...
Leslee Oden Named President and CEO of National Turkey Federation
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) announced today that Leslee Oden has been named NTF President & CEO and will assume the leadership position in July when current President & CEO Joel Brandenberger retires after 17 years as head of the organization. The announcement was made by NTF Chairman John Zimmerman.
“On behalf of the NTF Executive Committee, Board of Directors and membership, we are excited for a new chapter at NTF with Leslee at the helm,” said Zimmerman. “We conducted a thorough search, and it was abundantly clear that Leslee...
ANALYSIS: The Widening Price Spread Between Boneless Chicken Breasts and Tenders
Given the volatile, and generally bullish-leaning market dynamics within the chicken complex recently, buyers and sellers certainly have a lot to consider as we usher in the springtime months. In addition to widespread supply constrictions, light live weights, and the ongoing threat of multiple diseases, the ever-shifting price relationship between various items on the sheet has introduced some additional room for speculation. Perhaps one of the more obvious examples of the changing market landscape is the relatively narrow, albeit expanding, delta between jumbo boneless breast and tender...
MLB Eats: Aramark Sports + Entertainment Unveils New Ballpark Fare for 2024 Season
Aramark Sports + Entertainment, is headed into the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) season with an expanded roster of clients and a fresh lineup of ballpark menu options and concessions innovations to enhance the gameday experience for baseball fans.
The award-winning provider of food and beverage programs in premier MLB stadiums across the country, today officially announced the addition of Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, to its baseball portfolio, with plans for reimagined food and beverage offerings to be announced...
USDA Announces Up to $12 Million in Grant Funding Available to Promote U.S. Agricultural Products
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced up to $12 million in funding available to strengthen and explore new market opportunities for U.S. agricultural products and increase access to locally grown food in communities experiencing food insecurity. The funding is available through three grant programs administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS): the Acer Access and Development Program, the Federal State Marketing Improvement Program, and the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program...
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery Launches Egg-Ceptional Catering Program Nationwide with Homestyle Faves
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery®, a leading family dining brand, is springing into the Easter season, offering a delectable selection of homestyle favorites at over 180 locations. Perkins is bringing the brand's iconic breakfast, bakery, burgers, and more to help guests stress less with life's special moments. The Perkins catering menu features affordable homestyle favorites with generous portion sizes, all held to the highest freshness and quality standards.
"At Perkins, we're excited to introduce our catering program, bringing our signature dishes to your special moments...
Stevens County Goat Tests Positive for Same Influenza Virus Affecting Poultry
A Stevens County goat kid (juvenile goat) residing on a farm with a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) positive poultry flock tested positive for the same virus. This is the first U.S. detection of HPAI in a domestic ruminant (cattle, sheep, goats, and their relatives). All poultry on the property were already quarantined from the February HPAI detection. Following the confirmation of HPAI in the goat, the Board quarantined all other species on the premises. The Board is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
Shake Shack Names Rob Lynch as Chief Executive Officer
Shake Shack Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Rob Lynch to the role of Chief Executive Officer and board member, effective May 20, 2024. Mr. Lynch currently serves as President and CEO of Papa John’s International, Inc. and under his leadership, the Company has achieved record global system-wide sales. Mr. Lynch will succeed Randy Garutti who will continue as the Company’s CEO through May 20, 2024, which will also be his final day serving on the Board, before transitioning to an advisor...
Meatable Achieves Landmark Breakthrough In Cultivated Meat Technology, Cuts Production Time To Only 4 Days
Meatable, an industry-leading food technology company, today announced that it has reached an important milestone in its efforts to produce cultivated meat at scale. Meatable is now able to transform pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into high quality fat and muscle tissue in a record four days, down from eight days, a faster process than any in the industry. This breakthrough will enable the company to produce cultivated meat significantly faster and at lower costs than industry norms, and is therefore an important step towards...
DoorDash and Wing Announce Drone Delivery Pilot in the US
DoorDash and Wing today announced the launch of their drone delivery partnership in the U.S., starting in Christiansburg, VA. Select local consumers will be able to order eligible menu items from Wendy’s® — the pilot’s first restaurant partner — through the DoorDash marketplace and have them delivered via drone. This follows the drone delivery pilot program that DoorDash and Wing launched in Australia in 2022 and has since expanded to three locations in Queensland with over 60 participating merchants, marking the first time that Wing integrated its drone...
Two of America's Favorite Flavors Join Forces with the Limited-Time Offering
Bacon and ranch both continue to be beloved food items of consumers everywhere, with both ingredients easily applied to a variety of different dishes. Whether it's a burger or sandwich, pizza or soup, ranch and bacon both tend to enhance the meals and snacks they're added to.
That is why the makers of the HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® brand are so excited, as they have combined these two tasty flavors within a single bite in their latest limited-time flavor offering, HORMEL® BLACK...
Overnight Fire at National Beef Plant to Result in Late Start Today
A fire occurred overnight at a National Beef plant in Liberal, Kansas, located in Seward County.
In a Facebook post late Wednesday, the Liberal Police Department reported that a "large fire" was on the east side of the facility and advised individuals not to drive on East 8th Street near National Beef. Additional details will be provided as more information becomes available, added the Liberal Police Department...
ANALYSIS: Hatching Plans to Combat Future Uncertainty
Anyone intimately involved in the turkey industry has most likely had their eyes on the hatchery data to start the year. Substantial reductions in all three major categories, Eggs In Incubators, Eggs Hatched and Net Poults Placed have taken place over the past few months which leads many to question what exactly is causing the downtrend. The answer though, may not be as simple as it once was. Traditionally speaking, when hatchery statistics move notably higher or lower, it comes as a concerted effort by the industry to better align with current and...
Smashburger® Appoints Denise Nelsen as Chief Executive Officer
Smashburger®, a leading fast-casual better burger brand, has recently announced the appointment of Denise Nelsen as its new Chief Executive Officer, the company's first female CEO. Under this new leadership, Smashburger is primed to further drive culinary innovation to enhance the guest experience, while expanding its industry footprint.
"We are thrilled to welcome Denise Nelsen as Smashburger's newest CEO. With her extensive experience and proven leadership in the food and beverage industry, she is set to propel the brand into a new era of growth," said Jollibee Group President...
FDA Issues Import Alert for Food Products with Chemical Contaminants Including PFAS
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a new import alert for human food products with detectable levels of chemical contaminants that may present a safety concern to human health. The Import Alert 99-48, Detention without Physical Examination of Foods Due to Chemical Contamination, gives the FDA the ability to help prevent entry of human food products into the U.S. if they are found to be contaminated with a broad range of human-made chemicals including benzene, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and...
FEATURED STORIES
Francis Scott Key Bridge: Everything You Need To Know About The Collapse And Baltimore Port Impact
ANALYSIS: A Look at Steak Cuts That Are Soaring and Sinking in 2024
ANALYSIS: The Surge in Boneless Beef Imports Amidst Constrained U.S. Herd
Podcast: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 7 - Meet Us in Las Vegas for the 48th Executive Conference