Hormel Foods Welcome Jason Levine to Newly Created CMO Role

Hormel Foods has announced the appointment of seasoned industry leader, Jason Levine, to a newly created, enterprise-wide Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role.

"We're excited to have Jason join us and take on this new role—an important step in advancing our marketing capabilities and driving growth across all segments of our business," said John Ghingo, president of Hormel Foods. "Jason brings deep expertise in global brand building, innovation, and digital strategy across well-known brands, and his leadership will help us...

Rollins, Chavez-DeRemer Pledge New Strategies to Reduce Welfare and Expand Work Opportunities

Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (PDF, 258 KB) to fulfill common goals of helping low-income workers find sustainable employment.

“President Trump’s entire cabinet is working everyday to ensure hardworking Americans can enter the workforce – and have the skills necessary to succeed in our booming economy,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Connecting low-income Americans, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, to education and employment opportunities is so important. This MOU signifies how our two agencies can further collaborate and use one...

ANALYSIS: Q4 Turkey Eggs in Incubators Fall to Record Low of 74 Million

Turkey production potential heading into 2026 remains positioned at an all-time low. The number of eggs in incubators during Q4 of 2025 has equaled approximately 74.0 million, 0.6% lower than that of 2024 which held the previous record low. This is 5.6% lower than the 5-year average during Q4. The production of hatching eggs is limited by the number of breeder turkeys, large numbers of which have been lost to HPAI. In Q4 alone, 110,500 breeder hens were destroyed due...

USMEF Statement on Dr. Julie Callahan's Confirmation as USTR's Chief Ag Negotiator

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dr. Julie Callahan to serve as chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

Julie Callahan brings an unparalleled level of knowledge, experience and dedication to this position and USMEF congratulates Dr. Callahan on her confirmation by the U.S. Senate. This is an especially critical time for agricultural trade, with ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and many key trading partners. USMEF thanks the U.S. Senate for its timely confirmation of a proven leader who is a tireless advocate for U.S. agriculture...

FMI Responds to November CPI Showing Continued Grocery Price Strain

The Food Industry Association (FMI) released a statement regarding the November Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers issued by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The report, released earlier today, shows a 1.9% increase in food-at-home prices over the past 12 months.

FMI Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig said the CPI numbers underscore the continued challenges grocery shoppers must navigate to get the most out of their grocery dollar. "Nevertheless, they remain resilient and savvy in the...

ANALYSIS: Widespread HPAI Activity in Europe Driven by Wild Bird Transmission

Between September 6 and November 28, 2025, a total of 442 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were confirmed in domestic poultry, alongside 2,454 detections in wild birds across 29 European countries, according to the latest quarterly assessment published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL). The scale and geographic spread of these outbreaks underscore the continued intensity of HPAI circulation across Europe during the...

ANALYSIS: Broiler Hatch Continues to Signal Production Expansion

Closely aligned with the chicken industry’s push for higher hatchery output, the latest USDA Broiler Hatchery Report reflects modest, yet meaningful, gains in both egg sets and chick placements. For the week ending December 13, broiler-type eggs set increased 1.2% year over year (YoY), reaching 251.4 million head. This represents not only a seasonal weekly high, but also a continuation of the steady YoY growth trend observed throughout 2025, interrupted only briefly by weekly declines in late July and early October.

Chick placements followed a similarly elevated trajectory...

Chipotle Bets on the Protein Boom With Its First-Ever High-Protein Menu

Chipotle Mexican Grill is leaning into America’s protein obsession with the launch of its first-ever High Protein Menu, set to roll out across the United States and Canada next week on Tuesday, December 23.

The new lineup targets growing demand for convenient, protein-focused meals and snacks, highlighted by a High Protein Cup that packs 32 grams of protein from Adobo Chicken into a snackable portion.

In the US, prices start at $3.50 for a Single Chicken Taco at select locations, while the national weighted average price of a High Protein Cup of Adobo Chicken is $3.82...

Advancing US Leadership in Protein Innovation with the PROTEIN Act

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) has introduced the PROTEIN Act to bolster US leadership in protein innovation amid rising global meat demand expected to double by 2050. The act addresses the US's lag in investment compared to other nations and aims to diversify protein sources to strengthen food security, stimulate economic growth, and tackle climate challenges.

The PROTEIN Act will support US farmers and expand domestic capacity via research centers, grant programs, and workforce development initiatives.

California, leading with over 150 companies, holds substantial...

A Record 159 Million Consumers Expected to Shop on Super Saturday

An estimated 158.9 million consumers plan to shop on the last Saturday before Christmas, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The figure is up from 157.2 million shoppers last year and surpasses the previous record of 158.5 million in 2022.

“As the final Saturday before Dec. 25, Super Saturday is a significant shopping event for both consumers and retailers,” NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said. “This year’s event falls only five days before the Christmas holiday, and...

Global Grain Production to Ease in 2026/27, Says Expana

Global grain markets are preparing for a production decline in the 2026/27 marketing year, despite forecasts showing output will remain at historically high levels, according to new market analysis by Expana's crop analysis team. 

World wheat production in 2026/27 is forecast to be "smaller, mainly because yields are set to return closer to average in the main producer countries and because growing areas for wheat are expected to contract slightly in the US, China, and Argentina," Expana's analysts said

ANALYSIS: Japan Reopens Market for German Agricultural Exports Following FMD Clearance

On November 12, 2025, Japan lifted its temporary ban on German beef exports, marking a significant win for Germany's food industry after the country regained its foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free status. The market reopening provides German beef exporters renewed access to Japan's lucrative market, particularly for premium beef offal products that command strong demand. German dairy producers also benefit from the restored access, with exports of untreated dairy products like raw milk cheese now authorized again...

ANALYSIS: Korea’s Nov 2025 Beef Imports Mark a Third Monthly Drop as Safeguard Caps Tighten

Korea’s beef imports in November 2025 fell for the third consecutive month at 26,211 metric tons (mt), according to data from the Korea Customs Service.

Falling 15.6% month-on-month (MOM), the 4,857 mt drop followed the activation of Special Agricultural Safeguards on Australian beef on September 12 which curbed inflows. Compared with a year earlier, shipments were down 20.9% or 6,906 mt.

Until 31 December 2025, beef imports from Australia face an ad-valorem Most Favored Nations (MFN) rate of 24.0%...

Researchers Explore mRNA Vaccine Technology for Protection Against Poultry Diseases

USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a research project focused on creating a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine platform for two major poultry viruses: infectious bronchitis virus and infectious laryngotracheitis virus. The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing and is made possible in part through proceeds from the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo...

Foodservice Finds Momentum This Holiday Season Amid Shifting Consumer Spending

As the holidays approach and the year winds down, the foodservice industry competes with retail on how consumers stretch their dollars during "the most wonderful time of the year."

CNBC recently reported that, based on restaurant purchasing data, consumers continue to dine out, but many are opting for appetizer items instead of entrée menu options.

Despite the challenges of disease, supply issues, and rising costs, the American foodservice industry remains resilient and continues to find ways to tap into consumer spending this December, even as some consumers scale back.

The Retail Rundown: Holiday Demand Builds, Pork Steps Into the Spotlight

With just over a week remaining until Christmas, supermarket circulars are serving as the hub for holiday party planning. Most seasonal food shopping is expected to be concentrated this week, with fresh meat and deli items leading the charge.

Store traffic is poised to increase as retailers vie aggressively for holiday dollars in an increasingly competitive retail environment heading into 2026.

Pork took the top spot in this week’s protein features, fueled by a spike in holiday ham promotions. Pork accounted for 30% of total...

FSIS Announce a Recall of 62,550 Pounds of Chicken Products 

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a recall from Suzanna's Kitchen of approximately 62,550 pounds of fully coolked, bone-in chicken products.

The recalled items included in this announcement come in 18-lb. cases which contain four units of “FULLY COOKED BREADED CHICKEN PORTIONS,”. It has case code “P-1380 126237 B30851 23:11 K04” printed on the side of the packaging along with the USDA mark of inspection and establishment number P-1380.

This item was produced on...

ANALYSIS: Weakness Across US Cage-Free Market Intensifies Ahead of Christmas

The US cage-free market has turned decidedly weak, as growing availability and limited buying interest have left sellers increasingly negotiable, resulting in spot values falling rapidly. Now two weeks removed from Thanksgiving and with the seasonal Christmas push yet to materialize, retail pulls rated as.....

ANALYSIS: November Cattle on Feed Down 2% and Placements Down 10% in October from Year Ago Levels

Cattle on feed numbers for November were the lowest experienced for that month over the past 5 years although it did come close to surpassing 2022 levels. When comparing over the last 10 years, current levels are below every year except for 2015-2018, which was a period of cattle retention. On a state-by-state basis, the states that experienced a lower cattle inventory compared to 2024 for November were Arizona, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Of those, Colorado experienced the largest...

Captain D's Moves into NYC Market with Grand Opening in the Bronx 

With more than 530 restaurants across 23 states, Captain D’s, a leading casual seafood restaurant brand is bringing its iconic concept to the New York City market for the first time.

On December 8, Shahid Raza, in partnership with FSR Group, celebrated the grand opening of Captain D’s at its 763 E. Gunhill Road location in the Bronx while developing three additional locations in New York City.

Earlier in the year, Expana reported the team planned on opening five other locations in the Baltimore metro...

US Pork Exports Steady in September with Value Record for Mexico; Beef Exports Lowest Since Mid-2020

USDA has released red meat export data for September, which was delayed due to the recent government shutdown. As compiled by USMEF, September data showed a fairly steady performance for U.S. pork exports, matching year-ago value while down slightly in volume. But September beef exports were the lowest in more than five years, with shipments to China effectively halted and exports to other Asian markets also trending lower year-over-year.

“We are encouraged by the robust and resilient global demand for U.S. pork – especially in Mexico, but also in a broad range of international...

USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Dairy Herd in Wisconsin

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed via PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) assay a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.4.4b in a dairy cattle herd in Wisconsin. APHIS will complete genetic sequencing and announce final results as soon as they are available. This confirmation was a result of routine National Milk Testing Strategy testing, not pre-movement surveillance.

This marks the first known case of HPAI...