Amazon Has Deployed More Than One Million Robots in Its Facilities
The automation of Amazon.com facilities is approaching a new milestone: There will soon be as many robots as humans.
The e-commerce giant, which has spent years automating tasks previously done by humans in its facilities, has deployed more than one million robots in those workplaces, Amazon said. That is the most it has ever had and near the count of human workers at the facilities.
Company warehouses buzz with metallic arms plucking items from shelves and wheeled droids that motor around the floors ferrying the goods for packaging...
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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...
US Secures Market Access for Poultry Exports to Namibia
The USDA has announced expanded access for US poultry exports to Namibia, a nation located on the southwestern coast of Africa. Effective July 1, Namibia will allow imports of fresh, frozen, and chilled poultry products from the United States, opening a market valued at approximately $15 million.
Additionally, the USDA successfully negotiated the removal of restrictive export and transit permit requirements for processed poultry products—reopening a previously closed trade channel.
This development underscores the Administration’s continued efforts to eliminate non-tariff trade...
Expana Expands Poultry Coverage with New Thigh and Jumbo Tender Forecasts
Expana has announced the launch of two new forecast products on its platform: US Chicken Thigh Meat and Chicken Jumbo Breast Tenders. These additions respond directly to growing client demand and further broaden Expana’s extensive coverage of the chicken market, featuring over 50 forecast price series for poultry including wings, breasts, and trim meat.
“These two new commodities within the poultry segment are of significant importance,” said Kevin Bull, Senior Forecast Analyst at Expana.
“Their introduction offers greater coverage of the market..."
PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 30 - M&A in the Global Agri-Food Industry, June 2025 Overview
Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals.
Today, we bring you up to speed with merger & acquisition activity in the global agrifood landscape that occurred in June 2025 as part of the monthly M&A focus series.
June 2025 M&A activity picked up marginally compared to previous months. The ongoing tariffs situation, looming deadlines, other trade disputes, and market uncertainty, have a role to play here.
ANALYSIS: Irish Beef Market Under Supply Pressure
In June 2025, Ireland’s cumulative beef processing volumes are approximately 15,000 head above the same period last year. However, tightening supply across other European countries is placing significant upward pressure on beef prices. Processors are competing aggressively to secure sufficient cattle to meet both domestic and export demand.
As of mid-2025, Ireland’s live cattle exports are 20% higher than at this point in 2024, further contributing to the supply squeeze within the country. Meanwhile, key EU beef-producing nations such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands are experiencing herd reductions...
ANALYSIS: Japan’s May 2025 Beef Imports Recede from 12-Month High
Japan’s beef imports in May 2025 eased from April’s 12-month high, slipping to 48,428 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Japan’s Trade Statistics.
In line with traditional trends, volumes by the world’s second largest beef importer scaled back 8.8% month-on-month (MoM) or 4,696 mt amid the short working month during the Golden Week holiday period.
Japan imported beef from two main suppliers: Australia ranked first with 25,216 mt, followed by the United States (US) at 16,591 mt...
ANALYSIS: US Pork Cold Storage Tightens Year-Over-Year Despite Seasonal Shifts
According to the USDA’s May Cold Storage report, total pork in frozen inventory declined to 450.9 million pounds, down 5.2 million pounds (- 1.1%) from April, signaling the lowest volumes recorded in the last 10 years. While month-over-month supplies are slightly lower, year-over-year inventories remain significantly tighter—down more than 31 million pounds (-6.6%) compared to May 2024—pointing to persistent supply-side constraints...
ANALYSIS: Reviewing the Downward Trend in Mexican Shoulder Clod Prices
The Mexican domestic market for bone-in and boneless shoulder clod has experienced a downward price trend since mid-June 2025, primarily driven by a notable decline in demand. Bone-in shoulder clod has depreciated by approximately 4.6% from its levels at the beginning of June, while boneless shoulder clod has dropped by about 2.8%, following record-high prices in May fueled by reduced slaughter volumes. These elevated prices, which peaked earlier in the season, began to strain buyers, prompting consumers and intermediaries to shift toward alternative...
European Investment Bank, CaixaBank Set €180 Mln in Agricultural Loans in Spain
The European Investment Bank (EIB), the long-term lending institution of the European Union, and the Spanish bank CaixaBank have announced a new line of funding for small businesses and mid-caps in the agricultural sector of €180 million.
The funding will go to projects for the modernisation of the sector and rural development. The EIB believes the “operation will help to boost the competitiveness of small businesses and mid-caps" in the agricultural and bioeconomy sectors...
White Castle Debuts New Chicken Slider
There's a new Slider in town — and it's bringing a whole new flavor to America's favorite fast-food menu. White Castle, the family-owned fast-food pioneer that's been serving up steamy, craveable Sliders since 1921, is proud to debut its newest permanent menu item: the Crispy Chicken Slider. Bigger. Crispier. Cravier. And absolutely worthy of its own crown.
Made with tender, juicy all-white meat chicken, coated in a crispy buttermilk breading and drizzled with White Castle's flavorful new honeycomb mustard sauce, the Crispy Chicken Slider is sandwiched between the brand's signature...
Trump, Carney Agree to Resume US-Canada Trade Negotiations
Trade discussions between the United States and Canada resumed late Sunday after Canada announced it would withdraw its proposed digital services tax targeting major US technology firms.
On June 27, President Trump stated that due to Canada’s intention to impose a tax on US tech firms, the US would halt all trade discussions with its northern neighbor “effective immediately.”
The tax was to take effect on Monday, June 30. According to the New York Times, the 3% digital services tax on major US tech firms like Meta, Amazon and...
Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Bologna Products
Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc., a Union, N.J., establishment, is recalling approximately 143,416 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna due to misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The various bologna products subject to recall contain meat or poultry source materials that are not declared on the product labels.
The ready-to-eat bologna items were produced between March 20 and June 20, 2025. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]...
ANALYSIS Comparing US Boxed Beef Cutout Values to COVID Highs Amid Current Surge
The current weekly average cutout value is $3.84/lb for Choice and $3.64/lb for Select. During the COVID-19 period, the record high for the Select cutout was a weekly average of $4.20/lb in May 2020, but prices sharply declined afterward, dropping to levels well below the five-year average. At this time in 2020, the Select cutout’s weekly average was approximately $2.10/lb, which...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Values Diverge from Conventional as Regional Demand Builds
After months of narrowing, the spread between cage-free and conventional quotations widened this week as the two markets moved in opposite directions—an uncommon divergence. Historically, both categories move in tandem, shaped by similar demand and usage dynamics...
ANALYSIS: Supply Uncertainty Looms Over the UK Beef Market
UK beef production totaled 300,000 tons between January and May 2025, marking a 10,000 tons (3%) decline compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest data. Monthly output has consistently lagged 2024 levels, underscoring a persistent downward trend and increasing concerns over supply constraints in the second half of 2025.
Despite lower production volumes, slaughter rates remained strong in the first half of 2025. In May, prime cattle slaughter rose by 3% month-on-month to 178,000 head. Market participants suggest this uptick may reflect producers capitalizing on recent strong prices...
Airgas Workers Strike Over Labor Dispute, Extend Picket Lines Across Northeast
Unionized tankhaul drivers at Airgas have gone on strike, citing alleged unfair labor practices and the company’s refusal to negotiate contracts that meet industry standards.
the workers have expanded picket lines to eight sites across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Local 701 members have reportedly been on the picket line since mid-June.
Airgas is the leading U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases; its products are used in modified atmospheric packaging (MAP), cryogenic freezing, and beverage carbonation and dispensing, among other applications. It is a subsidiary of French industrial gas giant Air Liquide
Walmart Opens First Beef Facility in Kansas
Walmart announced on Friday it had opened its first-ever owned and operated, case-ready beef facility to serve mostly Midwest customers. The 300,000+ square-foot facility is in Olathe, Kansas and will have around 600 employees.
It is connected to a 2022 investment Walmart made in Sustainable Beef LLC to improved supply chain security for Angus beef. The new “facility will package and distribute Angus cuts sourced directly from Sustainable Beef LLC to stores across the Midwest,” Walmart said.
The investment is part of Walmart’s plans to invest $350 billion in U.S.-made products by 2031...
US–China Trade Framework Advances, but Final Terms Still in Flux; Lutnick Hints at More Deals
The United States and China have inked a new trade agreement, President Donald Trump said on June 26.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mirrored the news during an interview with Bloomberg TV, stating that the deal was signed in recent days. Neither Trump nor Lutnick shared further details.
Expana reported on June 11 that Lutnick said the US and China agreed to a trade framework, and the latest comments from both Lutnick and Trump don’t seem to add much...
Study Finds 61% of US Consumers are Scaling Back on Restaurants, Spending Less on Groceries
As tariffs and inflation continue to impact consumers, Americans are spending less on food. According to Popmenu, which currently serves over 10,000 restaurants, 67% of consumers are scaling back their budgets.
The nationwide study tracked the dining and spending habits of 1,000 people 21 and older from June 16 to June 17, 2025. When asked to name the areas where they are cutting back the most, restaurants landed the number one spot, with 61% saying they are eating out less and staying in...
UNFI Restores Core Systems After Major Cyberattack Disruption
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) announced that it has safely restored the core systems its customers and suppliers use after suffering a significant cyberattack earlier this month.
“With our electronic ordering and invoicing systems back online, we are delivering products to grocery stores across our network at more normalized levels,” the company said in a June 26 statement. “We are grateful to all our customers and suppliers for their patience and partnership as our UNFI associates continue working to support their needs...
Tyson Debuts New Dino Nuggets in Time for Summer
Embark on a colossal, fun-filled adventure with Tyson Foods’ latest creation – Tyson Mega Dino Nuggets! These playful, protein-packed nuggets are your passport to a prehistoric party, perfect for both kids and anyone who’s still a kid at heart.
Inspired by the roaring success of our original dino nuggets, we've taken the fun to a whole new level with these larger, more dino-tastic bites. The new Tyson Mega Dino Nuggets chicken patties are made from the same ingredients you already know and love, now doubled in size...
ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s May 2025 Beef Exports Surge 15.7% MoM to 49,281 mt
New Zealand’s beef exports rebounded in May 2025, posting a solid 15.7% rise from April to 49,281 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Stats NZ.
Volumes rose 6,676 mt month-on-month (MoM) driven by stronger shipments to the United States (US), China, and Canada. Modest gains to the United Kingdom (UK), Taiwan, and Japan also contributed to the higher May figures.
On the contrary, annual growth continued to be hindered by lower cattle kills. Yearly figures fell 10.2% or 5,581 mt, led by reduced shipments to China and Japan. Allocations to New Zealand’s...
ANALYSIS: US Boneless Beef Cold Storage Stocks Fall in May 2025 to Lowest Level in 10 Years
The latest USDA cold storage report showed a decline of 13.7 M lbs of boneless beef in cold storage for May month-over-month (MOM) with current levels at 364.6 M lbs, which is the lowest level in the past ten years. Both lean and fat boneless beef continued to be tight throughout the month of May leading to less stored frozen product. As beef demand ramps up during the summer, especially for products like hotdogs and hamburgers, which boneless beef are key ingredients, cold storage dips as material is pulled out to supplement...
ANALYSIS: YTD EU Egg Exports Down Amid Production Challenges and High Prices
EU egg and egg product exports have declined in the first four months of 2025, dropping to 148,161 tons (egg equivalent weight) from 154,704 tons during the same period last year. This marks a 4.2% year-on-year decrease, indicating a challenging period for the European egg industry. While some export markets such as the UK and Israel have shown growth, the overall trend is downward, with notable declines in shipments to Japan and Thailand and only marginal changes in exports to Switzerland.
The primary factor behind this export contraction is the significant reduction in EU egg production, driven largely by the impact of...
Cattle Farmers and Ranchers Join President Trump to Push for Tax Relief
Today, farmers and ranchers affiliated with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House for an event rging Congress to pass the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and deliver tax relief.Kevin Kester, a fifth-generation California rancher and NCBA Past-President, attended due to his personal experience with the Death Tax.“It was an incredible honor to stand with President Trump and echo his message that America’s family farmers and ranchers need tax relief now,” said Kester. “When I was hit with the Death Tax 30 years ago, I couldn’t hire new employees, invest in equipment, or make improvements to the ranch. My family and I had to stretch every...
New Study Identifies Additional Links Between Poultry Antibiotic Use and Human Drug Resistance
A new study, published in mSphere, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, suggests some antibiotics used in conventional poultry farming may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in humans. This research, conducted by Dr. Alex Wong, Asalia Ibrahim and Jason Au of Carleton University’s Department of Biology, focuses on ionophores, a class of antibiotics commonly used in conventional poultry farming and previously described as “not important to human medicine.”
“This research underscores the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of animal...
Canada: Gay Lea Foods Sells Grober Nutrition to CG Wellington
Gay Lea Foods, a Canadian dairy cooperative, has reached an agreement to sell its Cambridge, Ontario-based animal nutrition division, Grober Nutrition, to CG Wellington Inc., a Canadian family-owned private investment firm specializing in agriculture.
Under the terms of the agreement, Grober Nutrition will continue to operate from its existing Cambridge, Ontario location. All current employees will remain in their roles. Grober Nutrition specializes in milk replacer products used in dairy nutrition. In 2019, Grober Nutrition sold its US subsidiary to Denkavit.
ANALYSIS: By-Products Market Surges on Soybean Oil Price Trends
The US by-products market, particularly fats and tallows, has encountered price increases driven by rising soybean oil trends, following the US Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO). The RVO is a plan requiring fuel companies to blend more renewable sources, such as soybean oil, into biofuels. It proposes biomass-based diesel volumes of 5.61 billion gallons for 2026 and 5.86 billion for 2027. This increased demand for soybean oil has reduced available supply, elevating prices.
The fats and tallows market initially adopted...
ANALYSIS: Retail Turkey Distribution Climbs Amid Price Hikes and Inventory Woes
So far, retail distribution of turkey is up 39.6% in June while year-to-date (YTD) it is down 1.9%. The relatively robust June distribution comes at a time when turkey prices continue to skyrocket, as evidenced by the growing gap in this year's Expana Turkey Index compared to the 5-year average.
Despite this June’s Expana Turkey Index outpacing the 5-year average by 40.7%, the average price at retail has only been up 9.7% compared to the 5-year average. This means...
ANALYSIS: May Chicken Cold Storage Maintains Seasonal Trajectory, With Some Exceptions
Chicken cold storage inventories in May rose 1% year-over-year (YOY) and held nearly flat month-over-month (MOM), posting a modest 0.1% gain. This contrasts with the five-year average May decline of 1.9% , signaling a more balanced supply environment, even as individual category trends diverge.
Breasts and breast meat stocks, the largest component of chicken cold storage outside of the “other” category, were essentially unchanged from April, down just 0.1 % versus an average 2.1% seasonal decline...
The Retail Rundown: Independence Day Deals in Focus
As the Fourth of July holiday draws closer, competition for front-page ad space among proteins is heating up. Seafood is currently leading with a 29% share, followed by beef and pork, each capturing 24%. Chicken accounts for 18%, while turkey trails at 2.6%.
Burgers and hot dogs remain backyard barbecue mainstays. Several national grocers were promoting 78–84% lean ground beef under $5 per pound, with eye-catching specials as low as $2.27 on a discounted basis.
Over Father's Day weekend...
Poland, France Push Back Against at Mercosur Deal
Annie Genevard, France’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and Czesław Siekierski, the Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, met in Paris on Wednesday. After the meeting, both showed a united front against the EU-Mercosur deal.
France and Poland have been two of the most vocal opponents to the deal signed in December, after around two decades of negotiations. They argue that the deal will not be beneficial for EU agriculture, despite its possible positive effects in other sectors.
“To put it plainly: we cannot sacrifice agriculture...
General Mills Backs Organic Push in Fresh Pet Food, But M&A Still on Table
As General Mills continues to expand its pet food footprint, the company is leaning heavily on organic growth, particularly in the fast-growing fresh pet food category, while still keeping mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as an option.
During an earnings call on June 25, Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Harmening emphasized that General Mills’ approach to category expansion is a deliberate balance between building from within and acquiring where necessary.
Harmening argued that General Mills believes it has the right investment profile
As China Obstacles Persist, Promotions Move More U.S. Beef Short Plate in Korea
International demand is critical for U.S. beef short plate, about 95% of which is exported. Major destinations include Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan, where short plate is typically sliced thin, marinated and served in hot pot and Korean barbecue-style meals.
U.S. short plate commands a significant premium in these key Asian markets compared to being utilized domestically. But short plate is just one of the U.S. beef cuts entangled in the current trade impasse with China. When China imposed its countermeasures in response to U.S...
ANALYSIS: 2025 Summer Grilling Season Tightens 0X1 Strip-Ribeye Price Gap
As backyard summer cookouts ramp up, attention turns to two grilling favorites: the 0x1 boneless strip and the boneless ribeye. Currently, the 0x1 strip is priced just $0.43/lb, or 3.7% below the boneless ribeye, marking the closest price spread between the two since late February and March 2025, when they nearly reached parity at just a $0.04/lb difference.
This narrowing spread isn’t unusual. In 2024, a similar trend occurred from early April through mid-July...
Gartner Says Supply Chain Leaders Must Address Three Priorities Amid Impacts of Israel-Iran Conflict
To help organizations navigate the ongoing impacts posed by the Israel-Iran conflict, Gartner Inc. has identified three critical priorities for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) to implement now to secure their operations.
In response to the ongoing impacts from the conflict, CSCOs should:
“As the conflict between Israel and Iran oscillates, CSCOs must leverage...
Hilton Foods Builds First North American Plant in Ontario With $140M Investment
Hilton Foods Canada, a subsidiary of United Kingdom food giant Hilton Foods, will build a CAD 192 million ($140 million) facility in Brantford, Ontario.
The new facility would mark Hilton Food’s first North American plant. It will be a 230,000-square-foot food processing and warehouse distribution facility. Per the Ontario government, Hilton Foods will process protein products, including beef, pork, lamb, and seafood, for distribution centers as far as Mississauga, Cornwall and Moncton.
“Today is an exciting milestone and the official start of construction...
ANALYSIS: China’s May 2025 Beef Imports Slips 7.1% MOM to 194,529 mt
China’s total beef imports fell for the second consecutive month, dropping 7.1% month-on-month (MOM) to 194,529 mt in May 2025, according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Shipments declined by 14,832 mt, led by lower volumes from most major suppliers. Brazil was the exception, partially offsetting the overall drop.
On a year-on-year (YOY) basis, imports fell 17.0% (-39,920 mt), pressured by weak consumption, a bearish macroeconomic outlook, and higher domestic production. Sweltering summer weather...
Diageo Agrees to Sale of Italian Facility to NewPrinces
Formerly known as Newlat Food, an Italian food and drink company now called NewPrinces bought 100% of the share capital for Diageo Operations Italy, according to a Diageo press release which specified the inclusion of the Santa Vittoria production facility.
The site produces a range of alcoholic beverages, ready-to-drink products, and low and no alcohol products, according to a Diageo spokesperson.
The NewPrinces Group is already a leading player in the soft drinks market in the UK, with revenues of approximately €350 million in this category alone...
China’s New Hope Outlines Focus on Feed and Hog Farming
New Hope Liuhe reported profitability in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a renewed focus on its two core businesses: feed and hog farming. This marks the company’s first profitable quarter in three years. The company has undergone significant structural adjustments, with the pig farming division concentrating on improving breeding stock and reducing production costs. The feed division is targeting a return to competitiveness through stable and sustainable growth, the company said.
“We’ve largely emerged from the downturn, and the company is seeing an overall positive trajectory,”..
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