Move Over, Turkey: Americans Embrace New Holiday Centerpieces
The turkey has been the centerpiece of American holiday meals for generations. Whether it's roasted in the oven or deep fried in the driveway, the turkey has been featured at holiday tables across the country for more than a century.
But, this season, the turkey may be losing ground. A new survey from Tyson Foods finds Gen Z Americans are redefining the traditional holiday spread...
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UNFI Reports Solid Start to Fiscal 2026
United Natural Foods (UNFI) has reported the results of its financial performance for the first quarter of its 2026 fiscal year.
"We started fiscal 2026 with another quarter of solid execution and continued progress in delivering more value to our customers and suppliers as we strengthen effectiveness and efficiency. Our network optimization is proceeding ahead of schedule, and the benefits of recent supply chain investments, coupled with process improvements, is enabling us to strengthen service levels and increase throughput. This helped us deliver Adjusted EBITDA growth of nearly 25%...
ANALYSIS: Argentina’s Fresh Beef Exports Fall 7.9% MOM to 66,571 mt in October 2025
The latest data released by Argentina’s National Institute of Statistics and Census indicated that fresh beef exports (chilled and frozen) fell for the second consecutive month in October, further offsetting the gains accumulated during the steady upward trend observed from April to August. Shipments totaled 66,571 mt in October, down 7.9% compared to the previous month and 4.5% lower than...
ANALYSIS: Winter Buying Spurs Japan’s Oct 2025 Beef Imports to Six-Month Highs
Japan’s beef imports in October 2025 rebounded sharply to a six-month high at 49,185 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data released by Japan’s Trade Statistics.
Driven by seasonal winter restocking, inbound volumes vaulted 28.3% MOM (+10,841 mt) from September’s six-month low, climbing across major suppliers to a level not seen since April 2025. Japan also received its first shipment of beef from Sweden in over three decades, totaling just 2.25 mt...
ANALYSIS: EU Pork Exports Ticked Up During September 2025
EU pork exports increased marginally during September, as decreased EU price levels supported EU exporters' competitiveness on the global market. In September, exports of fresh and frozen pork meat, along with total pork exports, including by-products and processed pork, increased compared to August.
Exports of fresh and frozen pork meat grew strongly by 6.6% month-over-month (MOM) to 152,539 mt, while the overall volume of pork exports increased by 1.0% m-o-m in September to a total of 334,338 mt. Additionally, elevated price levels for alternative proteins such as beef and poultry supported the demand for pork meat on the global markets...
ANALYSIS: Retail Demand Drives EU Shell Egg Market into Year-End
Retail demand for shell eggs across the EU remains solid as the year draws to a close, supported by households replenishing supplies ahead of holiday gatherings and an increase in home cooking during colder weather.
Supermarkets continue to move product at a steady pace, and prices remain high relative to long-term norms. However, there is a growing sense of hesitation in the trade, with many buyers questioning whether the current strength can extend much beyond the New Year. Ordering patterns have shifted toward short-term planning, with retailers focusing on...
Vietnam’s THACO, U.S. Fresh Del Monte Sign 10-year Banana Supply Deal
U.S. food group Fresh Del Monte has signed a 10-year banana supply deal with the Vietnamese firm Truong Hai Group Corporation (THACO), the companies announced.
Fresh Del Monte has agreed to buy 71,500 tons of bananas in 2026, or around 15% of THACO’s expected output, the company said. Under the agreement, the traded volume would rise over the 10-year term.
Fresh Del Monte plans to export THACO Bananas to Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and later the Middle East, it said...
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: Mexican Beef Imports Strengthen on Year-End Demand
The US market registered a notable increase in beef imports from Mexico during October and the first weeks of November, as buyers moved to secure year-end coverage. Fresh beef cuts reached 4,216 metric tons in the second week of November, the highest weekly volume in the past 52 weeks. Trimmings also posted a 52-week high at 462 metric tons, reflecting a similar uptick in activity. This recent strength contrasts with the softer tone seen in the spring, when limited availability in Mexico kept import volumes...
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...
North Carolina Turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, Pardoned by President Trump
WASHINGTON — National Turkey Federation (NTF) Chairman Jay Jandrain, president and CEO of Butterball, LLC, presented the National Thanksgiving Turkeys named Gobble and Waddle to President Donald Trump today during the 78th National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. After receiving their formal pardons from the president in the White House’s Rose Garden Club, Gobble and Waddle will return to North Carolina to live at North Carolina State University in Raleigh...
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...
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...
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...
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