US Starts Charging Chinese Ships to Dock at Its Ports
The measure is aimed at countering China’s dominance of commercial shipbuilding and helping to revitalize the American industry.
The Trump administration broadened its trade war with China on Tuesday, as it began imposing fees on Chinese ships docking at American ports.
The long-planned action is intended to counter China’s dominance of commercial shipbuilding and help revitalize the United States’ own shipbuilding industry, which has withered over the years.
China’s Ministry of Transport threatened retaliation on Friday, saying it planned to hit American vessels with fees...
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ANALYSIS: Fresh 90s Ranges Drop Into Competition With Imported 90% Items
Friday’s closing report for domestic boneless beef encountered a range of $386-428/cwt, while imported blend cow 90% from Australia and New Zealand ticked upward to $386-390/cwt bringing the two within similar ranges. While the range remained wide for fresh product, the low side signaled a drop that could cause some slight demand shift toward domestic material while both remain in similar ranges.
In the US, the fall cow run has ramped up as some participants have begun to send more cows...
ANALYSIS: EU Egg Market Tightens Amid Widespread Bird Flu Outbreaks
The EU egg market remains under pressure, with overall availability described as limited, as recent bird flu outbreaks continue to unsettle sentiment and constrain supply. In Spain, concerns have intensified following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a layer hen farm housing 727,000 birds. The facility was already under surveillance after a previous case was reported in the same area last month...
ANALYSIS: HPAI Turkey Update — Week of October 5, 2025
Outbreak summary
On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, approximately 2.82 million turkeys have been lost to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in 2025. That is up 115% year-over-year (YOY) and down 62% from 2022, when the outbreak began. Of the turkeys impacted this year, 3% have been commercial breeder hens, 1% have been commercial breeder replacement hens, and 96% have been commercial meat birds. Thirteen states have reported unique outbreaks YTD, one fewer than the largest YTD value since the start of the...
Women in Food and Agriculture Summit 2026 to Unite Industry Leaders
Expana, the world’s largest agrifood market intelligence provider, is proud to announce the return of the Women in Food and Agriculture (WFA) Summit, taking place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at the Okura Hotel in Amsterdam.
Since 2019 this highly anticipated global event has brought together leaders, innovators and up and coming executives from across agrifood value chains for a day of inspiration, empowerment and real-world learning. With a dynamic program of keynotes, workshops and networking, the WFA Summit is designed to deliver actionable content
ADM Opens Wheat Milling Laboratory in Decatur
ADM has opened a new Central Milling Laboratory at the ADM Specialty Manufacturing Facility in Decatur, Illinois.
The facility mills, analyzes, and bakes wheat to provide insights into how flour will perform in real-world applications, ADM said.
Currently, the lab supports 31 ADM facilities across North America.
Tedd Kruse, President, Milling & Baking Solutions at ADM, said: “This facility strengthens our ability to collaborate with customers to meet evolving market needs, and it will accelerate innovation across our milling network.”
Walmart Partners with OpenAI to Create AI-First Shopping Experiences
Walmart is ushering in the next generation of retail by combining its huge assortment, everyday low prices and delivery speed with the power of AI. Today, the company announced a new partnership with OpenAI that will start with allowing customers and members to soon shop Walmart through ChatGPT using Instant Checkout. Whether planning meals, restocking household essentials, or finding something new, customers can simply chat and buy, and Walmart will handle the rest.
“For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted...
Inside QDOBA's Growth Strategy with New CMO Jon Burke
Expana recently had the chance to catch up with Jon Burke, the newly promoted Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of QDOBA. He offered a behind-the-scenes look at what’s next for the rapidly expanding restaurant chain. With over 825 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico and a pipeline of 600 more, QDOBA is gearing up for its first national marketing campaign.
In the announcement about this promotion, CEO John Cywinkski said, "Jon is a trusted and respected leader who has earned this opportunity...
Morliny Foods' Acquisition of the Wolf Group
Morliny Foods Holding Limited (UK) today announced the acquisition of Wolf Group, a leading German producer of premium sausages, convenience, and ready meals. This strategic transaction marks a significant step in Morliny Foods' European expansion, strengthening its position in one of the continent's largest consumer markets for packaged meats and convenience products. The acquisition aligned with Morliny Foods' strategy to grow in value-added packaged meat categories across Europe.
The transaction also opens opportunities for enhanced access to German distribution channels for Morliny Foods' portfolio products, serving as a solid foundation for sustainable growth in the German and wider European markets...
Expana will be observing the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday on Monday, October 13
Expana is observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 13, and US offices will be closed.
This will impact the publication of some Expana Benchmark Prices and daily reports (red meat, poultry, eggs) will not be published. Our weekly report, Mexican Beef, Export and Domestic Markets, was published today- Friday, October 10.
Our regular publishing schedule will resume on October 14, 2025. See the full details of the Expana publishing schedule here.
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Steadies as Retail and Bird Flu Spur Renewed Buying
The cage-free market has held steady this week, though underlying momentum has begun to build following improved retail demand and renewed bird-flu detections that prompted a return of buyer engagement...
Wendy’s Unveils “Project Fresh” to Drive Growth and Elevate Brand Value
Looking to enhance its brand after a disappointing valuation, The Wendy's Company has unveiled Project Fresh. According to the Board of Directors, this strategic plan is designed to accelerate profitability and enhance shareholder value.
"Wendy's Board of Directors and management team are dissatisfied with the current valuation of the Company and have been working to put the Company on the right path to create value for our franchisees, employees and shareholders," said Chairman of the Board, Art Winkleblack. "Execution is underway and we are confident that Project F
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...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana’s Weekly Rundown #30
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 #30."
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.
...
On October 7, US President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Carney met in the White House. The possibility a US-Canadian trade deal was a main topic of discussion...
TGI Fridays Supports TSA and Air Traffic Control Workers with Complimentary Meals During Shutdown
TGI Fridays is dedicated to providing nutritious meals to TSA and air traffic control workers during the temporary government shutdown.
Eligible employees with, valid ID, can enjoy a complimentary meal per day from October 9 to October 23, while supplies last, or until the shutdown is lifted, from a specially curated menu.
The menu features favorites like the Cheeseburger with fries, Chicken Fingers with fries, Crispy or Grilled Chicken Sandwich with fries, or Chicken Caesar Salad. This offer is valid at all locations...
ANALYSIS: Turkey Processing Hits New Seasonal Low as Prices Soar to Record Highs
In June and July, the turkey industry had a couple of months of relief from the seasonal all-time low numbers of turkeys being processed since August of last year. However, the headcount processed this August fell 4.1% below last year, once again marking a new seasonal low. This isn’t necessarily surprising considering that four months prior, net poult placements were 3.9% lower year-over-year (YOY). Additionally, just over 55,000 turkeys were lost at the end of August...
ANALYSIS: YTD Retail Ground Chuck Sale Volumes Fall YOY While Dollar Value Ticks Up
So far in 2025, ground chuck sales have reached over $755M with total transactions around 135 M units. Compared to 2024, the sum of total sales is up by $11M (+1.54%). This can in part be explained by rising input costs on the wholesale market. This has pushed retail prices higher now sitting at a record high of $6.63/lb. Year-over-year (YOY) this is an increase of...
Four September Storms Batter Farms, Fields Across Philippines, Vietnam, and South China
Four storms — Typhoons Ragasa (Nando) and Bualoi (Opong) and Tropical Storm Mitag (Mirasol) in the Philippine Sea, and Typhoon Tapah (Lannie) in the South China Sea — swept through the region in September, damaging rice, corn, coconut, and strawberry crops, as well as fish and livestock farms, while disrupting supply chains and transport routes, said Demelza Knight, Weather and Crop Researcher at Expana.
Knight highlighted that Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest of the storms, formed in the Philippine Sea on September 18
The Retail Rundown: Strategic Promotions Boost October Protein Opportunities
October offers a strategic window for retailers to tap into increased consumer demand for protein, thanks to the alignment of seasonal supply, promotional campaigns, and competitive pricing.
National Pork Month, observed this month, coincides with a peak in pork production—averaging about 2.5 billion pounds over the past five years, up nearly 9% from September.
This seasonal surplus enables retailers to run targeted promotions that pair attractive pricing with educational content, driving both consumer engagement and sales...
Vertical Cold Storage's Strategic Expansion with First Customs Bonded Warehouse
In today's global trade environment, customs bonded warehousing has become increasingly appealing to businesses seeking financial flexibility.
Tariffs can significantly inflate costs, but by deferring duties until products are sold in the US market or re-exported, companies can optimize cash flow and gain strategic operational advantages.
Vertical Cold Storage, a leader in cold storage and logistics for the food and beverage industry, is marking an achievement with the full licensing of its first customs bonded warehouse.
The company strategically chose to expand at its...
ANALYSIS: Uruguay’s Beef Exports Down 9.4% MOM in September to 29,369 mt
According to the latest data released by Uruguay’s National Customs Directorate, fresh beef exports dropped 9.4% MOM to 29,369 metric tons (mt) in September. Compared to the same period last year, this is still 14.1% higher.
China continued to play a significant role as the main destination with 45.4% of total shipments in September, or 13,337 mt. This is 9.0% lower than August but reflects a notable 30.2% growth YOY. On a year-to-year basis, beef exports to the Asian country accounted for 116,187 mt so far this year, a 4.9% growth compared to the same period in 2024...
New Report From FMI Reveals a Significant Shift in Consumer Dining Habits
A new report from The Food Industry Association (FMI) uncovers a significant shift in dining habits.
The study shows that consumers are increasingly choosing deli-prepared foods in place of restaurant meals.
The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2025 examines the factors influencing consumer motivation for choosing deli-prepared options, offering insights from the consumer's perspective on foodservice at retail.
Data from the report revealed that 53% of Americans now take a hybrid approach to creating meals; combining deli-prepared options with other items...
2025 Industry Insights on Consumer Resilience and Holiday Shopping Trends From ICSC
In 2025, the world continues to navigate challenges like the fluctuating job market, food inflation, politics and tariffs.
Amid these uncertainties, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is dedicated to supporting and enhancing marketplaces where people shop, dine, work, play, and gather, viewing them as vital to both communities and economies.
The company has released its 2025 Holiday Shopping Intentions survey, highlighting consumer resilience in seeking value and experiences despite individual financial obstacles.
The survey indicates an anticipated 3.5-4% growth in retail...
Campbell's Names Todd Cunfer as New Executive VP and CFO
Campbell's has appointed a new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer following the resignation of Carrie Anderson.
The company welcomed Todd Cunfer to his new position in an announcement Tuesday, effective October 20, 2025.
Cunfer will oversee Campbell’s finance functions, including controllership, corporate financial planning and analysis, corporate strategy and development, tax, treasury, internal audit, investor relations, transactional services, and financial systems.
He is a seasoned industry executive with more than 25 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry...
ANALYSIS: Brazil’s Fresh Beef Exports Set a New Record at 314,690 mt in September 2025
According to the latest data released by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Brazilian beef exports totaled 314,690 mt in September, reflecting a 17.2% monthly growth and a 25% increase year-over-year (YOY). This figure surpassed the previous record of 276,879 mt achieved two months ago...
Arby’s Debuts Steak Nuggets for a Limited-Time
Today, amidst the overwhelming popularity of chicken options in food service, Arby's is betting on its latest innovation.
True to its slogan, "We Have the Meats," the company has launched steak nuggets for a limited time.
“Who doesn’t love tender and savory steak? But, until now, it’s been inconvenient to eat, particularly on the go,” said Jeff Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Arby’s. “That’s why we created this new innovative product. Two of America’s favorite foods – nuggets and steak – combined to create Arby’s Steak Nuggets. No knife needed, fork...
ANALYSIS: Australia’s Q3 2025 Beef Exports Soar 16.2% YOY on China-Led Surge
Australia’s beef exports in Q3 2025 surged 16.2% year-on-year (YOY) to 425,016 metric tons (mt), data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (D.A.F.F.) showed.
Exports expanded by 59,176 mt in the third quarter as Australia capitalized on global supply gaps and tariff-driven realignments in key markets.
China led the quarterly growth, with volumes climbing 55.6% or 26,431 mt as buyers turned to Australian beef to replace grain-fed US product following punitive tariffs and delayed import license renewals since April...
Expana Announces Agri-Food Europe 2026: The Industry Event for Market and Procurement Strategy
Expana, the world’s largest food and agriculture price reporting agency (PRA) and market intelligence provider, announces the return of Agri-Food Europe, taking place February, 25-26, 2026, at the Hotel Okura in Amsterdam.
Building on a successful 2025 edition that united over 300 senior executives across buying, selling, finance, sourcing, and supply chain roles, Agri-Food Europe 2026 stands as the strategic industry event for global leaders in the food and agriculture commodity markets.
The event delivers two days of critical market insight
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