Smith Packing Recalls Approximately 18,792 Pounds of RTE Sausage and Sliced Meat and Poultry Product

According to an announcement from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Smith Packing, LLC is recalling approximately 18,792 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage and sliced meat and poultry products due to excessive sodium nitrite levels.

This  recall follows an investigation prompted by customer complaints about an off-putting taste and/or discoloration of the product.

The affected items were produced between February 19 and April 24, 2025, bear establishment numbers “EST. 4578”...

HPAI H5N1 Virus in Dairy Cattle – What We Know

In March 2024, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1), commonly referred to as bird flu, was confirmed in domestic U.S. livestock for the first time in a dairy operation in Texas. Since then, the virus has spread to 1,047 dairy operations across 17 states, raising widespread uncertainty throughout the dairy and livestock markets. Industry participants have raised concerns about the outbreak's potential impact on consumer perception and demand for dairy and meat products, though government agencies reiterate that the national food supply remains safe. Expana is closely monitoring the situation...

ANALYSIS: EU Retail Egg Prices Level Off, but Remain Elevated

Retail egg prices across the EU appear to be levelling off, though they remain at elevated levels. According to Eurostat data, the price of graded shell eggs rose by 18.33% from €2.40/kg in week 1 to a peak of €2.84/kg in week 13.

Egg consumption typically rises during the cooler months when home cooking becomes more prevalent. Beyond seasonal factors, structural shifts in consumer behaviour have also contributed to the sustained demand. As other protein sources such as beef reach record-high prices—largely due...

ANALYSIS: US Red Meat Cold Storage Stocks Decline on Coasts MoM

According to the latest USDA cold storage report, boneless beef stocks declined in March compared to February, with the Middle Atlantic region down 6% and the Pacific region down 5%. Both areas serve as key entry points for imported beef, with cold storage typically the first stop after arrival at a port.

Despite the implementation of new tariffs, imported frozen beef remains competitively priced relative to domestic fresh product. This price advantage has influenced cold storage dynamics, as buyers draw down inventories for immediate...

ANALYSIS: Japan’s Q1 2025 Beef Imports Slump 17.5% to 92,915 mt

Japan’s total beef imports in Q1 2025 fell 17.5% year on year (YoY) to 92,915 metric tons (mt), a decline of 19,729 mt, according to the latest data from Japan’s Trade Statistics.

The sharpest drops were recorded from key suppliers including Australia and the United States (US), along with smaller reductions from Canada, New Zealand, and Mexico.

Imports from the US totaled 34,636 mt, down 14.9% YoY, or 6,048 mt on the back of its low cattle herd. Despite its production boom, shipments from Australia also fell...

ANALYSIS: Japan’s Beef Intake Plunges to 23-Year Low as Household Budgets Tighten

Japan's beef consumption dropped to a 23-year low in February 2025, with per capita intake falling to just 134 grams, according to data from the Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC).

This marks the lowest level since November 2001, driven by inflationary pressures and a continued squeeze in household budgets. The weak yen has exacerbated the situation, pushing up the cost of imports, including food and energy, and fueling broader inflation.

Industry sources have long commented that budget-conscious consumers are turning to...

Expana Establishes Advisory Board to Accelerate Growth and Global Impact in the Agrifood Sector

Expana, the world’s leading agrifood-focused Price Reporting Agency and global information provider, today announced the launch of its Advisory Board — a major step in advancing its commercial momentum, industry influence, and global reach.

The newly appointed Advisory Board brings together 12 senior executives from across the agrifood value chain with experience from a wide range of businesses including Tyson, Mars, PepsiCo, Nestle, Bunge, Compass Group, Goldman Sachs, General Mills and many more. This move reinforces Expana’s commitment to empowering businesses...

The Retail Rundown: Grocers Turn Up the Heat 

Grocers are turning up the heat in this week’s circulars, leaning into classic summer grilling staples—ribs, burgers, and barbecue fixings—signaling early excitement for the season even with Memorial Day still a few weeks away.

Seafood tops this week’s retail protein promotions, claiming roughly 28% of total ad space. Beef follows with 24.7%, trailed by pork at 23.1% and chicken at 20.2%. Turkey ads were slashed by half compared to last week, now accounting for just 3% of circular space.

Retailers are also highlighting festive favorites ahead of Cinco de Mayo. Ground beef in the 78–84% lean range averaged $4.89 per...

Sysco Corporation Delivers Q3 Financial Results

Sysco Corporation released its financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year, highlighting some growth despite a challenging operating environment. Unfavorable foreign exchange movements, disruptive weather events, wildfires, and softening consumer confidence have all impacted results for the period.

Total Sysco

Sysco Corporation reported a 1.1% increase in sales for the third quarter, despite a 2.0% decline in U.S. Foodservice volume. Gross profit edged down 0.8% to $3.6 billion, while operating income fell 5.7% to $681 million. Adjusted operating income declined 3.3% to $773...

US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins Announces Major Win for Texas Farmers and Ranchers in Water Negotiations with Mexico

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announces a major win for American agriculture by securing the agreement of the Mexican government to meet the current water needs of farmers and ranchers in Texas as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. The Mexican government committed to transfer water from international reservoirs and increase the U.S. share of the flow in six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle...

Employers: Croatian Agriculture Is Uncompetitive, Overindebted and Unproductive

Croatian agriculture is uncompetitive, heavily indebted and unproductive, the Association of the Food Industry and Agriculture of the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) warned on Monday.

"Croatian agriculture is uncompetitive, heavily indebted and unproductive. We all profess our commitment to production and increasing output, but unless we acknowledge where we currently stand and why we are in this position, Croatia will not make the necessary strides forward and will, in the long term, be forced to depend on food imports for its citizens and on raw materials for the food industry," the employers said.

China Capable of Ensuring Food, Energy Supply Even Without U.S. Imports: Official

China is able to ensure its grain and energy security even if it stops purchasing commodities from the United States, an official said Monday.

China's domestic grain reserves are abundant and its grain imports from the United States only accounted for a very small proportion of domestic consumption last year, said Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, in response to a media question on the impact of U.S. tariffs.

Zhao added that the grain imports from the United States were...

Dollar Tree Names New Chief Supply Chain Officer

Dollar Tree, Inc. has announced the retirement of Chief Supply Chain Officer Mike Kindy, who joined the company in May 2023.

“From overseeing complex distribution networks to modernizing our supply chain strategy, his contributions have been instrumental in positioning our company for long-term success. We are grateful for Mike’s service and wish him all the best in his upcoming retirement,” said Mike Creedon, the company's Chief Executive Officer.

Kindy will be succeeded immediately by Roxanne Weng.

Weng brings over 30 years of experience in the retail industry...

Australian Meat Industry Welcomes New and Expanded Access to China

The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) welcomes new approvals for seventeen Australian sheep, lamb and goat export establishments to access the China market. This outcome is a significant win for Australian sheep, lamb and goat processing and export businesses that will have benefits across the red meat supply chain.

The approvals published by the General Administration of Customs China include access for chilled and frozen sheep and goat meat, and includes new access for ten establishments, and expanded access for new product categories for seven establishments...

ACC Central Kitchen LLC Recalls 64,008 Pounds of Pork Product

According to an announcement from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), ACC Central Kitchen LLC is recalling approximately 64,008 pounds of pork bun products due to it containing an undeclared, known allergen, sesame. 

The issue was identified during a routine FSIS inspection, when personnel observed that sesame, an ingredient used in the pork buns, was not declared on the product label.

The affected products are frozen and not ready-to-eat. They are packaged in 8.45-oz. sleeve tray packages labeled... 

Hammersmith Protein Meal and Grains Report - 26 April 2025

While possible/planned tariffs are still important to the grain/oilseed business the 90 day extension on major tariffs has calmed the grain markets a little and we are now back looking at the weather. 

US corn futures prices were down by about USD 2 m/t this week while soybeans moved higher by about USD 3 m/t and soymeal drifted lower by USD 5 m/t. USA spring wheat futures moved lower by about USD 5 m/t with winter wheat slipping lower by about USD 6 m/t. 

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Price Dynamics Hint at Transition, but Market Remains Soft

The cage-free egg market continues to experience modest downward pressure this week, although a shift in negotiated values is beginning to take shape.

Since late February, cage-free quotations have been on the decline, falling by more than 50% from a record high of $9.86/dozen to $4.92/dozen as of Thursday. This decline has been predominantly driven by a significant reduction in consumer demand, influenced by price sensitivity among shoppers.

At the market’s peak, Circana scanner data reported the average...

ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s Q1 2025 Beef Exports Rises 1.3% YoY to 134,240 mt

New Zealand’s beef exports in the first quarter of 2025 rose 1.3% year-on-year (YoY) to 134,240 metric tons, according to the latest data from Stats NZ.

Stronger volumes to key markets including the United States, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom supported the quarterly gain. Exports to China and Japan pulled back, but total shipments still edged up by 1,781 mt.

In the first quarter of 2025, the US cemented its position as New Zealand’s top beef market, taking...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #6

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 #6."

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...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Announces Leadership Transition

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has announced the resignation of its President and Chief Executive Officer, G.J. Hart, after more than five years of leadership at the company.

During his tenure, Mr. Hart implemented key initiatives that significantly enhanced the guest experience and repositioned Red Robin as an operations-focused brand.

Effective immediately, David A. Pace will succeed Mr. Hart as President and CEO.

To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Hart will continue to serve in an advisory role through September.

Pace, current Chairman of the...

McDonald’s Adds McCrispy Strips and Creamy Chili Dip to Permanent Menu

As temperatures rise, quick-service restaurants are adjusting menus to satisfy seasonal cravings. In its effort to expand offerings, McDonald’s turned to its customers—on social media and beyond—to ask what they wanted most. The overwhelming answer: more chicken.

Responding to that demand, McDonald’s is launching its first permanent menu addition since 2021. Starting May 5, the brand will debut its new McCrispy Strips, served with a Creamy Chili Dip.

"Since stepping into my new role as a leader of the U.S. business this year...

ANALYSIS: 2025 YTD Turkey Poult Placements Down 4.0%: Hen Supply Hit Hardest

Year-to-date (YTD) poult placements in 2025 hover an average of 4.0% below the 5-year average. This is a continuation of the ongoing trend of below-average supplies. While HPAI cases are less frequent and the new avian metapneumovirus vaccines are starting to be implemented, the losses sustained by the industry leave a lasting impact that is not quickly overcome. For these reasons, hatcheries only have so many eggs they can set, and growers are also restricted on the number of birds...

ANALYSIS: US Pork Production Trails 2024 Amid Herd Contraction, Disease, and Export Uncertainty

Year-to-date (YTD) total pork production volumes for 2025 are trending 0.4% below 2024, as a shrinking breeding herd and disease outbreaks have contributed to reduced output. The USDA’s latest Hogs and Pigs report revealed a five-year low in both breeding inventory (5.98 million head) and farrowing sows (2.9 million head), directly impacting the number of pigs available for slaughter.

While the market hog inventory stands at 68.5 million head—down just 0.3% year-over-year—this is largely offset by...

ANALYSIS: Broiler Production Outlook Brings Expectation of Gains

As we approach the tail end of April, protein market participants are weighing a number of variables as they attempt to hone their expectations for the road which lies ahead. For stakeholders in the chicken sector, concerns around disease, low hatchability, and live weights remain front and center.

Despite persistent uncertainty, the second-quarter broiler production expectations are projected to post the largest year-over-year (YoY) increase among all of the major protein categories. According to the Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry Outlook, the latest Q2 forecast stands...

NCC Statement on Withdrawal of Salmonella Framework

NCC today released the following statement in response to FSIS withdrawing the proposed Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products:

“We remain committed to further reducing Salmonella and fully support food safety regulations and policies that are based on sound science, robust data, and are demonstrated to meaningfully impact public health,” said Ashley Peterson, Ph.D., NCC senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs.

Peterson said as it was written, though, this Framework:

• Was legally unsound;
• Relied on misinterpretations of the science;
• Would have had no meaningful impact...

Mother’s Day Wishes Revealed According to OpenTable Research

Mother’s Day is meant to be a time of pampering and appreciation, but for many moms, the planning still lands on their to-do list.

According to research from OpenTable, 44% of moms say having others make plans to celebrate them is what makes Mother’s Day truly special. Yet, despite this, 39% of moms end up making their own reservations.

It's no wonder nearly 30%, nearly a third, say what they’re most looking forward to is some well-deserved “me time” and a chance...

Chipotle Reports Q1 2025 Revenue Growth Despite Avocado Cost Pressures 

California-based chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. reported its first-quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2025.

First quarter highlights, year over year:

• Total revenue increased 6.4% to $2.9 billion
• Comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.4%
• Operating margin was 16.7%, an increase from 16.3%
• Restaurant level operating margin was 26.2%, a decrease from 27.5%
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.28, a 7.7% increase from $0.26
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.29, a 7.4% increase from $0.27

Perdue AgriBusiness and Eion Ink First-Of-Its-Kind Carbon Removal Deal

Eion, a company turning the proven science of enhanced rock weathering (ERW) into a scalable climate solution, today announced a carbon insetting agreement with Perdue AgriBusiness, a subsidiary of Perdue Farms.

Through this deal, Perdue grain farmers will remove approximately 3,500 tons of CO2 by applying olivine—a naturally abundant mineral it has optimized to weather quickly on farmland across the Mid-Atlantic. Notably, this is the first instance in which a company is deploying an enhanced rock weathering solution within its own supply...

The Retail Rundown: Post-Easter Pause Sets Stage for Protein Push

With Easter now in the rearview, retailers will largely tread water, positioning themselves for a seasonal surge in demand ahead of the start of summer.

Grilling demand is beginning to build toward a Memorial Day crescendo, prompting grocers to build inventory and plan aggressive promotions to jumpstart the season. 

But first up is Cinco de Mayo. While it's a smaller holiday, it can still drive foot traffic. Proteins like pork, steak, and chicken are expected to see solid movement as shoppers make tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and other festive fare...

ANALYSIS: EU Egg Product Market Enters Spring with Mixed Signals

As the market returns from the Easter break, a cautious sentiment continues to shape the industrial egg sector. Demand remained subdued in the lead-up to the holidays, with buyers showing strong resistance to elevated asking prices and instead pushing for more favourable terms. Consequently, shell egg prices continued
their downward trend in the week heading into Easter...

ANALYSIS: China’s Q1 2025 Beef Imports Falls 11.6% YoY to 681,607 mt

China's total beef imports for the first quarter of the 2025 calendar year plunged to 681,607 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Inbound shipments fell by 11.6% year-on-year (YoY), the 89,662 mt decline was led by reduced volumes from Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and New Zealand. However, strong volumes from the United States (US) and Australia helped cushion the overall decline.

Supply from South America Slides

Volumes from China’s...