Darden Restaurants Lifts Outlook After Sales Jump
Sales in the 1Q jumped 10% to $3.04 billion, in line with Wall Street models
Darden Restaurants raised its full-year outlook after logging higher profit and sales in its fiscal first quarter.
The owner of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants on Thursday posted a profit of $257.8 million, or $2.19 a share, for its three months ended Aug. 24. That is up from $207.2 million, or $1.74 a share, a year earlier.
Stripping out certain one-time items, earnings were $1.97...
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The Retail Rundown: Chicken Promotions Fall Short in “National Month”
Beef and seafood ads were nearly even this week, each accounting for about 25% of featured buying opportunities. Pork and turkey held steady, while eggs gained ground, with the South Central region seeing the most feature activity.
Expana notes that the back-to-school lift in retail shell egg demand has largely passed, with September typically a slower period outside of the early-season bump.
Despite September being “National Chicken Month,” Expana’s weekly survey found chicken ads down from last week and slightly below late August levels...
EC Opens Call for Evidence to Streamline Food and Feed Safety Rules
The European Commission (EC) has launched a call for evidence to gather input on plans to simplify, clarify and modernise key areas of EU food and feed safety legislation. The initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens, boost legal clarity and speed regulatory procedures while preserving high food safety standards and EU competitiveness.
The forthcoming food safety package will outline measures to streamline rules across plant protection products, biocidal products, feed additives, hygiene requirements and official controls at EU borders, the EC said.
C-Stores Narrow the Gap with Restaurants for Key Metrics in Third-Party Delivery Study
Intouch Insight has released the second edition of its Third-Party Delivery Study, showing that food delivery continues to evolve. For the first time, first-party apps were measured alongside third-party platforms, and they're already firmly in the mix. Meanwhile, convenience stores are closing the gap with restaurants on key measures of customer satisfaction.
"Earning loyalty in delivery comes down to the details," said Sarah Beckett, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Intouch Insight. "Our findings show that accuracy, speed...
Coffee, Cocoa, Tea, and More Added to List of Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners
As of September 5, products like coffee, cocoa, and tea (along with hundreds more) may be exempt from US reciprocal tariffs if a country’s leaders make a deal with the US trade team, according to a White House fact sheet that specifies exemptions for trading partners that make substantial, reciprocal commitments to mitigate the national emergency-inducing trade-deficit.
To date, market participants watched as deals with the European Union and Indonesia provided a vague mention towards exemptions for “natural resources” like EU cork...
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...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Holds Steady, Parity Underscores Oversupply
The cage-free market has shown little movement in recent weeks, holding relatively steady since mid-August with only a 3ct decline over that period. This week, cage-free quotations settled at $2.76/dozen on the West Coast and $2.66/dozen for the rest of the market, with the latter sitting in exact alignment with the conventional Midwest large for a week now.
Ordinarily, the West Coast — as the largest mandated cage-free region — trades at a clear premium to the rest of the country...
Major Restaurant Chains Ramp Up Market Expansion
This week, big players in the foodservice industry, including Chipotle, TGI Fridays, and Qdoba, have unveiled ambitious expansion plans.
By stretching accessibility and strengthening their global presence, these companies are ramping up efforts to reach international markets.
First, Qdoba announced its largest development deal in its brand's history.
The company partnered with Barry Dubin of B Wild Investments in an agreement to develop 50 new QDOBA restaurants across the states of Alaska, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.
It also announced that B Wild Investments has signed...
E-Commerce Drives Growth and Strategy for Private Brands in Food Retail
The Food Industry Association (FMI) released findings from its new report entitled, "The Power of Private Brands 2025: Industry Strategies to Sustain Momentum."
This report highlights the impact of e-commerce on the growth of private brands at food retailers and the tools businesses are using to boost sales and shopper loyalty.
According to the report, food retailers are increasingly recognizing the value of e-commerce and anticipate it may eventually outpace in-store purchases. It stated that sales of private brand...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #26
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 #26."
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.
...
Despite 50% tariffs remaining on Brazil and India, the Indian Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump expressed positivity that the respective trade teams would reach a deal, according to their latest social media...
FMI Statement on August CPI Food Price Numbers
Today, FMI – The Food Industry Association issued the following statement in response to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows a 0.6% monthly increase in food-at-home prices for August and a 2.7% rise on a year-over-year basis.
FMI Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig stated, “The rise in grocery prices after remaining flat in July is likely a result of significant production cost increases in July flowing through the supply chain...
Egg Farm Fire Under Investigation in Wharton County
An egg farm in Wharton County was reportedly ablaze this morning.
News has circulated that multiple fire units were dispatched to Maxim Egg Farm, a Cal-Maine Foods company, on FM 442 in Lane City, Texas.
Cal-Maine Foods announced the acquisition of Maxim Eggs back in November of 2012. The deal included two production facilities with a capacity for about 3.5 million laying hens.
The extent of the damage is still unclear.
While the investigation is ongoing, no cause of the...
FMI Proposes Amendments and Extended Deadline for FDA Food Traceability Rule
Today, the Food Industry Association (FMI) submitted comments on the proposed changes to the Food Traceability Rule by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Among the suggestions, the FMI requested extending the compliance deadline to July 2028, believing that its amendments would facilitate a more efficient implementation of the rule
“FMI is grateful for FDA’s recognition of the need to reduce the regulatory burden on the food industry by extending the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule. We also strongly...
PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 34 - AI Adoption in Agri-Food, Feat. Beth Pollack
Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals.
Today we explore something different. A trend that is definitely here to stay and one that we are all integrating into our workflows. This transformative trend, however, is only in the infancy stages of its huge potential, and many of us, it is fair to say, are struggling to realize how to use it, and some of us even fear it… We're talking about AI, of course.
Restaurant Growth Continues in 2025 Despite Forecasting and Visibility Challenges
Crunchtime Information Systems, an operations management solutions provider for the restaurant industry, shared results of a study conducted in partnership with Technomic. The research was based on a nationwide survey of 300+ multi-unit restaurant operators.
The 2025 Restaurant Growth Insights Report finds that restaurant brands are continuing to grow despite economic headwinds, focusing on scaling more sustainably while identifying critical areas for improvement...
Operators plan to increase new location openings by 20% over the next two years, even as 73%...
Canada Unveils CAD 5 Billion Rescue Plan to Help Agriculture, Other Sectors Weather US Tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sept. 5 unveiled a CAD 5 billion ($3.6 billion) support package and a suite of trade and industrial measures, including a "Buy Canadian" procurement policy, CAD 1 billion in expanded SME lending and CAD 75 million for AgriMarketing, aimed at shielding farmers, fishers and other sectors hit by new US tariffs while reskilling 50,000 workers for a more resilient domestic economy.
The agricultural and seafood industries landed in the spotlight. The federal government announced...
TGI Fridays® Doubles Down on Global Expansion
Sugarloaf TGIF Management, LLC ("Sugarloaf"), a privately held company and manager of the global TGI Fridays® brand, announced today the extension of franchise development and master franchise agreements with long-standing franchise partners Franquicias Alimentarias S.A. and Watami Co., Ltd., to expand TGI Fridays® presence throughout Peru and Japan. With agreements in place to develop over 50 new restaurants, these partnerships underscore Sugarloaf's commitment to TGI Fridays' global growth and confidence in the strength of the brand's international business.
Building on a legacy of over 60 years...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Converges with Conventional Amid Quiet Demand
Cage-free trade was quiet once again this week, with limited engagement across most regions and continued reliance on conventional outlets to absorb excess supply. The cage-free market softened, with both the rest-of-market and California quotations slipping 3cts. This adjustment brought the rest-of-market quote into exact parity for the second time in a month with the conventional Midwest large at $2.66/dozen, underscoring the lack of cage-free demand and the pace at which product continues to move into...
US Implements Japanese Trade Deal; 15% Tariffs, Billions in Investments, Ag Purchases
Later on September 4, the US implemented a previously announced trade deal with Japan–setting a 15% baseline tariff on almost all Japanese goods imported to the US, according to a White House statement about a presidential order. This comes almost a week after tariffs were again disputed in the US judicial system.
The now-implemented deal also created sector-specific carve-outs and outlined commitments on both sides that will affect demand for US agricultural commodities and beyond (namely, for US rice).
Plus, the order carves...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #25
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #25."
In the States, a federal appeals court ruled that US President Trump’s use of global tariffs exceeded presidential authority, but they remain active until at least October 14, 2025...
Circana Reports Value Menus Drive Restaurant Traffic Growth
This year, many industry players have responded to consumers' demand for affordable value amid turbulent and unpredictable economic times.
The surge in value meals has sparked a competitive wave of advertising and marketing, emphasizing to customers that quality foodservice can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.
"It's important for restaurants to remember that value is rarely defined only by price," said David Portalatin, senior vice president and industry advisor for Food and Foodservice at Circana. "Operational excellence in providing quality, affordability, great experiences...
Restaurants Embrace the Autumn Shift
The chill is in the air, and as we welcome a new, crisp month, the industry is gearing up for consumers to embrace autumn flavors and seasonal recipes. With the arrival of the new season, people are swapping their cookout favorites and salads for bonfires, comfort food, and Sunday wings.
Retailers are ahead of the curve, rolling out smoky and savory specials to capitalize on the shift, while some focus on attracting budget-conscious customers amidst rising food and labor costs.
More McValue
Starting September 8, McDonald’s will expand its...
FMI Finds Shoppers Forming New Fall Routines Amid Tariff, Price Concerns
FMI – The Food Industry Association, unveiled its new ‘US Grocery Shopper Trends: New Routines’ report that highlights how shoppers are looking to create new routines this fall, while remaining concerned about food prices and the impact of tariffs.
FMI said that the majority of shoppers “show acceptance” to the current state of grocery prices.
“While shoppers' confidence about managing their food expenses was softer in February than last August, it has recovered somewhat over the past six months (79% feel they have at least some control...
PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 33 - M&A in the Global Agri-Food Industry, August 2025
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 August 2025 as part of the monthly M&A focus series.
M&A activity has somewhat slowed down this summer. Beyond the obvious seasonal business activity slowdown due to summer holidays, let’s not forget impacts of the ongoing tariffs situation, global trade deals and disputes, and overall market uncertainty.
ANALYSIS: US Egg Production Rebounds, But Demand Struggles to Absorb Rising Supply
US egg production is showing signs of recovery in the wake of this year’s historic bird flu outbreak, which triggered one of the most severe supply disruptions on record. The USDA’s latest Chickens & Eggs report showed the nation’s table-egg layer flock expanded 2.18% this month to 296.8 million layers, marking the highest level since January...
Upcoming Webinar (Asia Edition): Forecasting the Future of Commodity Prices, Q4 2025 and Beyond
Expana invites you to a free, live webinar featuring our experts Tom Bundgaard, Vice President of Price Forecasting, and Craig Erlam, Forecast Analyst.
Join us on September 18 at 11 AM Singapore time for a comprehensive macroeconomic briefing focused on the latest Q4 2025 commodity price forecasts and what lies ahead for 2026.
As global economic indicators increasingly hint at a potential recession, understanding the anticipated impact on commodity prices is critical for businesses planning their procurement, pricing, and supply chain strategies in the coming years.
ANALYSIS: Unseasonably Firm Summer Sets Stage for EU Egg Demand in Autumn
The European egg market is entering September with a distinctly different tone than in years past. Where July and August usually bring softer prices and subdued activity, this summer proved the exception. Prices held firm through the first half of the year, and the seasonal dip many anticipated barely materialized, leaving the market stronger than its historical norm.
Caged shell eggs, for example, have held steady at around 1.96 €/kg for several weeks, roughly 45% higher than the seasonal average of 1.35...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #24
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #24."
On August 22, Canadian Prime Minister Carney dropped most retaliatory tariffs on US products, beginning September 1, reported Expana in an article that suggested the move may help soothe trade relations...
Trump Announces US-Indonesia Trade Agreement; New Details Emerge
UPDATE: July 22, 2025 4:37 PM ET
This afternoon, US President Trump posted to Truth Social after revealing a similar 19% trade deal with the Philippines, reported Expana.
"It is my Great Honor to announce our Trade Agreement with the Republic of Indonesia, as represented by their Highly Respected President, Prabowo Subianto. It is agreed that Indonesia will be Open Market to American Industrial and Tech Products, and Agricultural Goods, by eliminating 99% of their Tariff Barriers. The United States of America will now sell American Made products to Indonesia..."
Perdue AgriBusiness Marks 25 Years of Innovation, Partnership & Growth at Chesapeake, VA Facility
Perdue AgriBusiness is celebrating 25 years of operations at its Chesapeake, Virginia facility, a site that has become a cornerstone of the company’s grain, oilseed, and logistics network and a vital partner to farmers across the Commonwealth.
Since opening its doors in 2000, the Chesapeake facility has grown into the only deepwater bulk grain terminal on the U.S. East Coast—and one of only two soy crush facilities on deep water in the United States. With grain storage, a soybean crush plant...
Upcoming Webinar: Forecasting the Future of Commodity Prices, Q4 2025 and Beyond
Join us on September 11 at 4 PM CET / 3 PM BST / 10 AM ET for a comprehensive macroeconomic briefing focused on the latest Q4 2025 commodity price forecasts and what lies ahead for 2026.
As global economic indicators increasingly hint at a potential recession, understanding the anticipated impact on commodity prices is critical for businesses
ANALYSIS: 2025 Sees Surge in Shell Egg Imports
Following one of the most significant supply disruptions in recent history, imported breaking stock has taken on a more visible role in the US egg market over the past year. During the height of HPAI-related flock losses, short supplies collided with strong holiday retail demand, drawing much of the available domestic inventory into higher-value retail and institutional channels. This left notable shortages in the further processor segment and sent domestic breaking stock values to a record $6.43/dozen earlier in the year...
The Retail Rundown: Labor Day Protein Promotions at a Glance
Seafood leads Labor Day protein promotions, accounting for 27.1% of total ad volume. Pork follows at 23.2%, with beef and chicken each capturing about 22%. Retail buying opportunities for turkey held steady at 3.5%, while promotional activity for shell eggs remained limited.
Back-to-school demand has provided fair to fairly good retail support for eggs, according to Expana, with shelf prices holding mainly steady across most areas in the past month. Last week, white large Grade A eggs were advertised at $4.49 per dozen discounted, nearly $1...
Applebee's Names New Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operations Officer
Applebee’s has announced the appointment of two key executives to its leadership team.
Effective September 2, Michelle Chin will assume the role of Chief Marketing Officer.
With more than two decades of experience in the restaurant and hospitality sector, Chin has led high-performing teams and executed impactful, insight-driven campaigns at leading brands across the industry.
In her new role, she will oversee the brand’s comprehensive marketing strategy, including national advertising, digital and social media, menu innovation, and integrated campaigns. Her approach...
BJ’s Wholesale Club Reports Q2 Results with Membership Growth and Strong Digital Sales
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings has announced its financial results for the second quarter, highlighting both strengths and areas of softness in its performance.
"Our business model continues to perform and build upon momentum, as we grow membership and gain market share even in a dynamic environment. We enter the back half of the year on solid footing and confident in our ability to deliver strong results," said Bob Eddy, Chairman and CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We are on a powerful trajectory and our...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Finds Stability Amid Down-Packing Dynamics
For the first time since mid-June, our rest-of-market cage-free quote held steady for an entire week at $2.69/dozen. While cage-free demand across the US remains average at best, the ability to down-pack excess cage-free product into conventional channels has provided a temporary floor.
Cage-free production has expanded significantly in recent years, now totaling roughly 133 million layers, or just under half of the nation’s 288 million total layers. Growth has largely been driven by state-mandated...
Canada Drops Most Retaliatory Tariffs on US Goods
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on August 22 that Canada will drop most retaliatory tariffs on US products, with the changes taking effect September 1. Carney clarified during a press conference that tariffs on US autos, steel, and aluminum will remain for now, but asserted that Canada now holds the best trade deal of all US trading partners.
Under the new policy, tariffs on US goods will be lifted if the products are exempt under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)...
McLane Company Expands Restaurant Portfolio with Five New National Customers
McLane Company Inc., one of the nation’s largest distributors in the restaurant and retail industries, announced today the addition of five new restaurant brands to its growing national portfolio: Carl’s Jr., Panera Bread, Steak ‘n Shake, Subway and Wendy’s.
“These new relationships with some of the most beloved brands in America reflect the trust leading restaurant chains place in McLane,” said Susan Adzick, president of McLane Restaurant. “Whether it’s helping a national chain improve service consistency across regions or unlocking growth for a regional brand...
New Resource from National Restaurant Association Provides Insights into Operational Realities
Dampened customer traffic and stubbornly elevated costs combined to keep pressure on the bottom line, resulting in modest profit margins – even by restaurant standards – according to the National Restaurant Association. Released today, the Restaurant Operations Data Abstract provides restaurant operators, investors, and industry leaders with a detailed financial snapshot of the fullservice and limited-service sectors.
Based on financial and operational data from more than 900 restaurants nationwide, the report includes a wide range of insights across key cost centers. These include food and...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #23
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #23."
This week, tariff news took a bit of a backseat to US President Trump’s dealings with Russian President Putin in Alaska—along with President Trump’s meeting with many European leaders...
Trump Says Immigration Plan Will Balance Farm Labor Needs and Border Security
US President Donald Trump said he is crafting an immigration plan aimed at bridging the gap between American farmers who rely on immigrant labor and advocates for stricter border policies—a balancing act that has taken center stage amid recent enforcement actions disrupting agricultural operations nationwide.
"The farmers want to have people who can work very hard in the field, and the other people don't want to have anybody from outside of our country. And I am working on a plan that I think is going to make...
The Retail Rundown: Retailers See Early Back-to-School Spending Amid Price Concerns
While some students are already back in class, others are squeezing in the last stretch of summer before Labor Day. Either way, grocers are bracing for busy aisles as parents juggle back-to-school supplies and grocery lists. This week’s ads highlight plenty of lunchbox staples, including snacks and deli items.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that two-thirds of shoppers had already begun back-to-school purchases by early July, with more than half starting earlier than last year. Concerns about higher prices linked to tariffs...
Moldovan Poultry Producer Axedum to Invest €9 Mln in Expansion
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Moldovan bank Maib have approved €9 million in financing for the poultry producer Axedum, both banks announced.
The funds “will finance the construction of a modern feed mill and enable Axedum to expand into a new business line of egg production,” the EBRD said.
Axedum is seeking to export its products into the European Union. Moldova holds EU accession candidate status...
Hendrix Genetics Invests in New Poultry Pedigree Facility in the Netherlands
Dutch-based Hendrix Genetics is investing in a pedigree facility in the Netherlands as part of a new poultry breeding program, the company said. Hendrix Genetics specializes in the breeding of turkeys, poultry, swine, salmon, trout and shrimp.
“The facility will support the growth of Hendrix Genetics’ Layers and Traditional Poultry Breeding Program,” the company said.
Hendrix Genetics expects to start operations this month and reach full capacity within six to eight months.
The facility has a modern hatchery as well as rearing and production houses...
UNFI Warehouse Workers Win Big with New Teamsters Contract
More than 300 warehouse workers at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) have ratified a new five-year contract.
The new agreement was overwhelmingly supported by workers and includes wage increases of up to $8 per hour, along with Teamsters health care coverage and participation in the Teamsters Western Conference Pension Plan.
"This contract is exactly why we joined the Teamsters," said Charles Dowling, a warehouse worker and member of Local 79. "We fought hard for the pay, benefits, and protections we...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Tests as Prices Converge with Conventional
After several weeks of sharp declines, the cage-free market found its footing this week, holding steady for multiple days and marking a sharp reversal in pace. The rest-of-market cage-free quotation sits at $2.69/dozen and, for the first time since its introduction in 2024, has fully converged with the conventional Midwest large quote. The narrowing spread between the two markets has become a defining factor for both cage-free availability and subsequent trade values.
With the spread gone, cage-free suppliers are increasingly diverting product...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #22
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #22."
The timeline for tariff negotiations between the US and China trade teams has been extended for another 90 days—moving the deadline to November 10, according to a White House fact sheet...
Amazon Launches Same-Day Perishable Grocery Delivery in Over 1,000 Cities
Amazon is set to make one of its largest-ever grocery expansions, bringing same-day delivery of fresh and perishable food items to customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns, starting August 13.
Shoppers can now order produce, dairy, meat, seafood and other essentials for rapid delivery, with plans to reach over 2,300 communities by the end of 2025.
“Customers are looking to make their budgets stretch further, and that’s why Amazon is focused on offering a wide selection of national and local brands, including organic and natural options...
Performance Food Group Reports Strong Sales and Profit Growth Despite Decline in Net Income
One of the largest distributors in foodservice, Performance Food Group, has announced results from its fourth quarter and fiscal year.
Quarterly Highlights
The company saw case volume increase by 11.9%. Independent Foodservice case volume rose 20.4%, while Organic Independent Foodservice case volume increased 5.9%.
Net sales were $16.9 billion, rising 11.5% for the period. Gross profit for the quarter grew 14.6% to $2 billion. This growth in sales and profit can be attributed to recent acquisitions, including that...
The Retail Rundown: Beef Tops Retail Ads as Grocers Prepare for Labor Day
With Labor Day just under three weeks away, grocers are preparing for summer’s last big grilling rush. Most holiday orders have already been locked in, and meat and prepared food departments are expected to see strong traffic as shoppers savor the last days of summer.
Beef has overtaken seafood as the most advertised protein this week, representing 27.0% of retail buying opportunities. Pork is close behind at 26.6%, while seafood has eased to 23.3%. Chicken remains steady at 18%, and turkey ads inched up to 3%...
Diversified Foodservice Supply Appoints Lev Peker as Chief Executive Officer
Diversified Foodservice Supply (DFS), a leading provider of equipment, supplies, and parts to the foodservice industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lev Peker as Chief Executive Officer.
Peker brings a strong track record of leadership and growth from the automotive aftermarket industry, where he excelled as CEO of PartsID and CarParts.com. There, he successfully scaled operations, enhanced customer experience, and delivered strong financial results. His deep expertise in e-commerce, operational efficiency, and system modernization aligns closely with DFS's strategic priorities...
Cal-Maine Appoints First Ever Chief Strategy Officer, Keira Lombardo
Cal-Maine Foods has appointed Keira Lombardo as its first ever Chief Strategy Officer, a move that underscores the company's dedication to enhancing value through operational excellence and innovation.
Lombardo brings over two decades of industry experience, during which she has held several executive positions.
Before joining Cal-Maine, she was the Chief Executive Officer of Dairy MAX, a large-scale dairy organization. There, she implemented a model focused on return on investment, aligned the team and strategic goals, and promoted dairy as a healthy, affordable...
ANALYSIS: Production Recovery and Weak Demand Drive Steep Cage-Free Drop
The cage-free market continued its sharp decline this week, falling at a steeper pace than the prior session as buyer engagement along the West Coast remained virtually nonexistent. The rest-of-market cage-free quote dropped 95cts to $3.03/dozen—marking a cumulative loss of over $1.25 in the past two weeks and reflecting a significant growth in supply.
Despite a modest 0.5% week-over-week decline in total cage-free stocks, USDA inventory figures show availability remains elevated...
ANALYSIS: EU Shell Egg Market Holds Firm Amid Seasonal Slowdown and Structural Shifts
The EU egg market is navigating its customary summer slowdown, a period typically marked by a dip in demand from the bakery and food manufacturing sectors. This time of year is often referred to by market participants as the cheapest period to buy eggs. However, in a notable departure from the norm, egg prices remain elevated during the summer, defying expectations.
As a result of the seasonal lull, many processors are either scaling back operations or temporarily shutting down for maintenance. Egg breakers are taking...
Armanino Foods Posts Record Sales and Profits in Q2
Armanino Foods announced record-breaking results for the second quarter of its fiscal year.
The company manufactures and markets frozen Italian specialty food items including pesto, sauces, and filled pastas for foodservice and retail markets.
In quarter two, the company accomplished record net sales of $19.9 million, an increase of more than 14% compared to the same period in 2024.
"We are proud to report another quarter of record-breaking sales and profits — a milestone that reflects both the strength of our operating model and our disciplined execution...
DoorDash Reports Record Results for Q2 FY2025
DoorDash delivered record performance in the second quarter of its fiscal year, achieving new highs in total orders, Marketplace GOV, and revenue. Total orders climbed 20% year-over-year (YOY), while Marketplace GOV increased 23% to $24.2 billion. Revenue surged 25% YoY to $3.3 billion.
Net revenue margin improved compared to both last year and last quarter, driven by more efficient logistics, higher advertising revenue, and fewer credits and refunds issued.
Adjusted EBITDA reached $655 million in Q2 2025, a...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #21
Click to read: "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #21."
On August 6, US President Trump issued an executive order that imposes a new 25% additional ad valorem tariff on imports from India into the States, effective 21 days after the White House announcement...
Maple Leaf Foods Sees Major Turnaround with $58M Profit in Q2 2025
Maple leaf, a Canadian food processing company, have delivered findings from its quarterly results.
The company reported a strong second quarter, with adjusted EBITDA increasing 28.9% to $182 million compared to the same period last year. Total sales reached $1.36 billion, representing an 8.5% year-over-year increase, driven by consistent growth across all major operating segments.
Prepared Foods saw a 7.5% increase in sales, Poultry rose by 8.5%, and Pork climbed 10.7%, reflecting solid market demand...
US Foods Delivers Strong Q2 Results, Raises 2025 Outlook
In its quarterly results, US Foods' strong performance showed steady progress across key areas of the business.
“Our second quarter performance underscores the strength of our team's continued focus on execution and delivering value to our customers. This momentum has fueled further market share gains with independent restaurant, healthcare and hospitality customers, resulting in record Adjusted EBITDA of $548 million and a 40 basis point increase in Adjusted EBITDA margin to a record 5.4%,” said Dave Flitman, CEO. “Looking ahead, we have a long runway...
UNFI Appoints David Best to President and CEO of Retail
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) announced the appointment of David Best to President and Chief Executive Officer of Retail effective August 17.
“I’m excited to join UNFI and accelerate the retail business during such a pivotal time for the Company,” Best said. “As a former UNFI customer and a Minnesota native, I have a great respect for the differentiated value UNFI is creating within our industry and for everything the Cub brand means to the community I call home. I’m energized by the opportunity to work with the...
Farmer Sentiment Weakens, But Farmers Believe US Policy Headed in Right Direction
Farmer sentiment continues to weaken, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined again in July. The barometer fell 11 points to 135 from June, a reading that resulted from U.S. farmers' weaker perceptions of both current conditions and future expectations. The July Current Conditions Index dropped 17 points to 127 from last month, while the Future Expectations Index posted a smaller decline of 7 points to 139. Driving the weaker income prospects for 2025 were farmers' assessment of current conditions...
The Retail Rundown: Summer’s Last Stretch Drives Seasonal Promotions
August has arrived, bringing a sense of urgency to make the most of summer’s final weeks. With Labor Day fewer than four weeks away and just seven weeks remaining until the season’s official end, retailers are already diving into back-to-school promotions.
Seafood claims the top spot among protein features again this week, making up 30.3% of all retail ads, followed by beef at 26.2%, pork at 20.8%, and chicken at 18.9%. Egg promotions remain minimal, comprising less than 1% of features—consistent with last week’s light showing. The Midwest led in egg advertising, while the Northeast and South Central regions showed more moderate activity...
UK Retailers React to Tariff Uncertainty With 76% of Exporters Diversifying Beyond the US Market
New research from ESW and Retail Economics reveals that 76% of UK exporters are now actively diversifying beyond the US, historically the UK’s largest non-EU retail market. Larger UK retailers are radically re-drawing their global growth playbooks as protectionist trade policies upend decades-old export patterns. However, 71% of small UK retailers admit they have no formal plan for sudden trade-policy shocks, a stark operational gap that could hit margins overnight.
The report, “Rethinking Reach...
Growth Continues for Publix with Rising Sales, Earnings, and Stock Value
Publix’s sales for the second quarter rose 7.3%, increasing from $14.5 billion to $15.6 billion. Comparable store sales were also up, growing 6% during the quarter. The company estimates that approximately 1% of the year-over-year sales growth in Q2 was due to the timing of the Easter holiday, which fell in the second quarter of 2025 but in the first quarter of 2024.
Net earnings for the quarter increased 41.5% to $1.4 billion, compared to...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Retreats Amid Weak Buying Interest
The cage-free market saw a steep decline this week as values fell sharply on the heels of evaporating demand along the West Coast. The rest-of-market quotation dropped 33cts to $3.98/dozen—a reversal that reflects the swift erosion of buyer interest and growing inventory pressure nationwide.
After weeks of promotional support, most major chains and independent retailers have now stepped away from active features, with some reportedly raising shelf prices in recent days. Summer heat continues to weigh on consumer behavior, dampening overall egg movement...
UNFI Unveils Top Industry Trends to Help Retailers Plan for the Holiday and Winter Selling Season
During its second Holiday and Winter Selling Show of 2025 in Uncasville, Conn., United Natural Foods, Inc. brought together more than 3,900 attendees, connecting more than 1,400 retailers and over 750 suppliers. Exhibitors showcased thousands of unique products, spanning the natural, organic, fresh, specialty, and conventional grocery categories.
Differentiation that Drives Results
During the show, UNFI experts shared the latest industry insights and emerging growth opportunities to help grocers stand out during the upcoming holiday and winter selling...
PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 32 - M&A in the Global Agri-Food Industry, July 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 July 2025 as part of the monthly M&A focus series.
July 2025 M&A activity somewhat slowed down compared to previous months. The ongoing tariffs situation, the global focus on trade deals, other trade disputes, and market uncertainty, have a role to play here
Trump Signs Sweeping Executive Order Revamping US Tariff Rates; 15% Floor for Deficit Nations
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on July 31, unveiling a massive overhaul of US tariff policy, introducing a series of new import rates for US trading partners (find the full rate list below).
Under the new plan, countries with which the US has a trade deficit will face a minimum 15% tariff, affecting more than 30 nations. Meanwhile, the administration’s existing 10% “universal” tariff will remain in place for countries where US exports exceed imports...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #20
Click to read: "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #20."
As of July 27, the United States and the European Union reached a trade agreement: The US will charge a 15% tariff on all imports across-the-board from the coalition of countries...
Kroger Announces New Leaders in Key Roles
The Kroger Co. today announced leadership changes in several key roles across the company.
Kroger appointed Ed Oldham to Head of Sourcing. Oldham joins Kroger from PetSmart, where he was Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer. He led the company's distribution and transportation strategy across North America, overseeing an international distribution network and 2,500 associates. Oldham brings more than 25 years of experience in retail, CPGs, and consulting, where he led planning, buying, replenishment, operations and sourcing decisions across multi-billion-dollar categories. Before joining PetSmart...
White House Unveils 40% Additional Tariffs on Brazilian Imports; Orange Juice, Nuts Spared
On the afternoon of July 30, Brazil was assigned an additional 40% tariff rate, according to a White House statement. US President Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) which will add to the current baseline 10% tariff on foreign good imported to the US. However, Trump teased upping that rate for ~200 countries where a trade deal would not make sense to negotiate. For now, it’s clear that 40% is in addition to any currently applicable US tariff...
Inside the Mind of a Procurement Strategist: Former Kellanova CPO Looks at Key Trends
At Expana’s Agri-Food Americas event on September 23-24 in Chicago, procurement critical thinking and business solution finding will take center stage. Expert insights will be given and many networking opportunities will be enabled for attendees, who are all faced with disruptive trade shits and global agricultural commodity supply chain woes.
The ambition is for agri-food leaders to unite, discuss, seek expert overviews, and gain some sense of direction and clarity they can ultimately take back home and apply to their procurement strategies.
The Retail Rundown: Retailers Push Protein as July Wraps
As July comes to a close and summer heat intensifies, retailers are pushing protein promotions to attract shoppers and encourage at-home grilling and cooking.
Seafood reclaimed the top spot in protein ad share this week, accounting for nearly 27% of all features. Pork followed at 24%, while beef and chicken trailed close behind at roughly 23% each. Egg promotions dipped slightly to around 1%.
Expana notes that retail egg demand has softened—typical for summer, when hot weather reduces in-home usage. Shelf prices are holding near $3.00 per dozen, well below early-year highs, but lighter consumption has dampened order volumes...
Report Finds Full-Service Restaurants are Winning Back Customers with Menu Updates
Full-service restaurants are hoping to make a comeback in 2025, thanks to menu updates and operational improvements, according to Chatmeter’s latest Full-Service Reputation Ranking Report.
The report, based on over one million reviews from June 16, 2023 to June 15, 2025, analyzed customer feedback across 10 of America's largest casual dining chains. The findings suggest that restaurants introducing new menu items and enhancing the overall dining experience are seeing a spike in both demand and customer reviews.
The Cheesecake Factory, which claimed the...
Inside the 2025 Food Manufacturing Landscape: Workforce Challenges and Investment Uptick
Global Location Strategies (GLS), a site selection advisory firm, unveiled its 2025 edition of the Best Places for Food Manufacturing Insights Report, which featured some intriguing takeaways about the impact of tariffs, immigration raids, and regulatory shifts on food manufacturing expansion.
The report features findings from the sector that spans animal food manufacturing, grain and oilseed milling, sugar and confectionery product manufacturing, fruit and vegetable preserving, specialty food manufacturing, dairy product manufacturing, animal slaughtering and processing, seafood product preparation and packaging, bakeries and tortilla manufacturing, and other food...
Sysco Delivers Strong Q4 and Solid FY 2025 Results
Sysco announced its fourth-quarter and full-year results Tuesday morning.
"Sysco's Q4 results exceeded expectations, as improved financial outcomes were driven by Sysco-specific initiatives and improved restaurant industry traffic. Specific to our business, USFS local volumes improved sequentially by 200 bps, including a strong exit rate in June. Importantly, drivers of our progress accelerated during the quarter, with the momentum continuing in July, an encouraging signal as we begin the next fiscal year of profitable growth" said Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer...
US-EU Trade Announcement: Markets Open to American Food and Beverage Producers
As of July 27, the United States and the European Union reached a trade agreement: The US will charge a 15% tariff on all imports across-the-board (including sector-specific rates like those on autos) from the coalition of countries, according to a joint announcement between US President Trump and European Commission President von der Leyen.
The trade deal will contain agreements whereby the EU will purchase $750 billion in energy from the US, invest an additional $600 billion into the US, open markets to...
71% of Consumers Shop for Groceries Online, But Grocers Must Eliminate Friction to Grow Loyalty
As online grocery shopping continues to gain traction, U.S. consumers are sending a clear message to grocers: make it easier, smarter, and more connected. A new national survey from VTEX (NYSE: VTEX), composable commerce platform provider, finds that 71% of consumers have shopped online for groceries, with 50% purchasing groceries online at least once a month, but many shoppers are holding back from deeper digital engagement due to persistent friction in the experience.
The findings reveal powerful insights for grocers...
USDA Seeks Nominations for American Egg Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is currently seeking nominees for the American Egg Board (Board) to fill three member and three alternate vacancies in Area I (AL,CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, TX, VT, VA, WV). They will serve a two-year term beginning March 2026 to March 2028. The deadline for nominations to organizations certified in Area I is Friday, September12, 2025.
Egg producers who own more than 75,000 laying hens may...
UFCW Reaches Tentative Agreement with Albertsons Companies
On Sunday, UFCW 8-Golden State, along with UFCW Locals 5 and 648, announced a tentative agreement with Albertsons Companies, the parent company of grocery chains such as Safeway and Vons.
The agreement follows five months of intense negotiations and comes in the wake of a threatened walkout involving nearly 25,000 grocery workers. It includes significant wage increases, a strengthened and secure retirement plan, improved health care benefits, and improved job protection provisions aimed at fostering a safer and more respectful workplace.
UFCW 8-Golden State members working...
UK Meat Producer Cranswick Reports 9.7% Revenue Growth in Q1
UK’s Cranswick has reported a 9.7% increase in revenue for the 13 weeks up to 28 June 2025, or the first quarter in its financial year. Like-for-like revenue rose by 7.9%, driven by volume growth, the company said.
The recently acquired food service sausage manufacturer Blakemans on 16 May 2025, also contributed to growth, the trading report showed. And export revenue and volume increased following the reinstatement of the Norfolk site’s China export licence in December 2024.
The new retail business and strong demand at the cooked...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Stalls as West Coast Demand Cools
Cage-free wholesale values plateaued this week following a rapid run-up in recent sessions. The rest-of-market quote held steady at $4.31/dozen after climbing 15cts early in the week, while the West Coast quotation ticked down slightly from its most recent peak, settling at $4.65/dozen as regional demand eased.
The slowdown was most pronounced along the West Coast, where promotional activity that had fueled strong retail movement in recent weeks came to an abrupt halt. Several buyers indicated that shoppers may have stocked up...
Trump Announces August 1 Tariffs — Here's the Complete List
UPDATE July 22, 2025: US President Trump States 19% for the Philippines, Indonesia
After a press conference with the President of the Philippines, Trump confirmed the 19% rates for the Philippines and Indonesia, when he posted to Truth Social.
UPDATE July 14, 2025: EU, Mexico Slapped with 30% Tariffs
President Donald Trump has expanded his administration’s tariff policy, targeting the European Union and Mexico with newly announced 30% tariffs on all products imported into the United States. Read Expana's coverage here.
UPDATE: July 10, 2025
President Trump imposed a 35% tariff...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #19
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #19."
ANALYSIS: EU Yolk Prices Hold Firm as Supply Bottlenecks Curb Market Relief
The EU egg and egg products market remains broadly firm, with pricing supported by structural tightness rather than short-term seasonal factors. While July typically brings softer shell egg prices on the back of weaker summer demand, current price levels remain well above historical norms. Only limited easing has been observed, and overall market sentiment continues to reflect caution as supply constraints dominate pricing dynamics.
Tightness is most pronounced in the yolk segment, both liquid and dried, where availability remains constrained...
Swiss Nestlé’s Sales Down by 1.8% on 1H25; Milk Products’ Growth up by 1.1%
Nestlé's sales fell by 1.8% to CHF 44.2 billion ($50.388 billion) over the first quarter of 2025, the company’s results presented on Thursday showed. Net profit was also down on the year to CHF 5.06 billion from CHF 5.64 billion in the first half of 2024. However, organic growth was up by 2.9%.
“Sales were negatively impacted by foreign exchange movements, especially in Q2, when the Swiss Franc strengthened by 10% against the dollar, and similar amounts against other currencies...
PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 31 - Competition Heats Up at the Meat Case this Summer
Listen now as Jamie gets the scoop from Market Analyst Pete Iridoy on how pork is benefitting at retail amidst high beef prices this summer...
Egglife Expands Egg-Based Innovation With Debut Of Protein-Packed Grab & Go And Power Pasta Products
Egglife Foods, Inc. is cracking open a new chapter. This summer, the Chicago-based protein innovator is debuting two first-of-their-kind offerings that once again empower a flour-free future: egglife GRAB & GO and egglife POWER PASTA™. These launches mark the brand's first category expansion beyond its game-changing egg white wraps, building on its mission to harness the power of eggs to deliver unmatched nutrition and convenience through protein-packed, sneaky healthy staples...
ANALYSIS: The Lingering Effects of HPAI on the US Egg Market
Following one of the most impactful HPAI outbreaks in recent history, the US egg market continues to navigate the aftereffects. Although infection rates have slowed, the scale of earlier losses has left a lasting mark on supply availability, pricing, and overall market behavior.
From October 2024 through May 2025, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) resulted in the loss of approximately 60.8 million commercial layers, according to USDA data. As a result, the national layer population fell to roughly 286 million in March and has only...
Cal-Maine Closes Fiscal Year with Record Profit and Strong Growth
Just after markets closed Tuesday, Cal-Maine Foods released its financial results for the final quarter of its fiscal year.
President and Chief Executive Officer Sherman Miller stated, “Our results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 marked a strong finish to a challenging, but successful year of transformation for Cal-Maine Foods. We continued to advance our growth strategy in a dynamic market environment, maintained a strong focus on safely, efficiently and sustainably managing our operations, added production capacity to meet customer demand and stayed disciplined in our...
The Retail Rundown: Beef Edges Out Seafood in Weekly Protein Features
Beef narrowly edged out seafood for the top spot in retail protein promotions this week, making up 25.9% of all featured items. Seafood was a close second at 25.3%, while pork and chicken each accounted for about 23%. Eggs represented roughly 2% of ads, and turkey dipped below 1%.
Beef steaks remained a premium grilling choice, averaging $14.21 per pound last week. Seafood also led on price, with fresh salmon reaching as high as $17.24 per pound in some regions...
Trump Signs Landmark US-Japan Trade Deal, Slashes Tariffs to 15%
United States President Donald Trump announced this week that he had signed what he described as “perhaps the largest deal ever made” with Japan, aimed at reshaping trade relations between the two countries. The agreement sets a new 15% tariff rate on all Japanese products imported into the US, a notable decrease from the 25% rate imposed earlier this month, as Expana reported.
According to President Trump, the deal is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the United States and will require Japan to open its markets further...
OpenTable and KAYAK Unveil Top 100 Hotel Restaurants Amid Growing Trend of Culinary-Driven Travel
According to new insights from OpenTable and KAYAK, travelers are increasingly choosing their destinations based on where they want to eat.
An OpenTable survey reveals that 47% of Americans have planned a trip specifically to visit a restaurant. Similarly, KAYAK reported a 51% year-over-year increase in travelers using the “restaurant” filter when searching for hotels.
In response to this trend, the two companies have partnered to release their first-ever list of the "Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America...
US-Philippines Trade Relations Televised; 19% Tariff Rate Reached
On July 22, US President Trump participated in a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“... We concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs,” wrote President Trump on Truth Social after the meeting. “The Philippines will pay a 19% Tariff. In addition, we will work together Militarily. It was a Great Honor to be with the President. He is Highly Respected in his Country, as he should be. He is also a very good, and tough, negotiator..."
Princes Acquires Historic Liverpool Building as New UK Headquarters
Yesterday, leading UK food and drink company Princes announced its purchase of the historic, Grade-I listed Royal Liver Building (RLB) in Liverpool, England for £60 million (USD $70.33 million).
According to the company, the acquisition is part of Princes’ broader £83 million (USD $97.29 million) real estate plan, which includes the purchase of Symington’s Cross Green facility in Leeds, England, for £23 million (USD $26.96 million). Also, acquiring the Cross Green site will further embed Symington’s business, which Princes already manages and operates, into...
Subway Names Jonathan Fitzpatrick as Chief Executive Officer
Subway, one of the world's largest restaurant brands, today announced that Jonathan Fitzpatrick will join the company as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 28, 2025, following a comprehensive search.
With more than two decades of franchising and quick service restaurant experience, Fitzpatrick has a proven track record of elevating sales and operational performance across global networks. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of Driven Brands where he led a best-in-class team to 17 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth...
USDA Appoints New FSIS Administrator, Announces Five-Point Food Safety Plan
Last week, Dr. Justin Ransom assumed the role of FSIS Administrator, leading the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Under this role, Dr. Ransom will oversee the FSIS, ensuring the safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling of U.S. commercial meat, poultry, and processed egg products.
The presidential appointment was first announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins on July 3, with Dr. Ransom officially assuming the role on July 14.
The FSIS is a federal agency under the USDA responsible for ensuring food...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Climbs on Promotional Strength and Supply Strain
Cage-free values surged 38cts this week as aggressive promotional activity along the West Coast drove stronger-than-expected retail movement and pulled product from other regions. The combination of active demand and ongoing supply limitations created a tighter marketplace and spurred strong premiums attached to wholesale values.
Retail demand has reportedly improved in most regions, but nowhere more than along the West Coast, where several chains have launched new features—some priced around $3.00/dozen. These promotions have resonated with inflation-conscious consumers, resulting in shelf...
FMI 2025 Report Highlights Food Industry Shifts Amid Consumer, Economic and Supply Chain Pressures
The Food Industry Association (FMI) has released its 76th annual report, “The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2025,” offering a look into how the industry is advancing as the modern grocery experience continues to evolve.
The report highlights strategies adopted by food retailers and suppliers, as they adapt to the shifting expectations of consumers, supply chain challenges, and economic pressures.
Bracing for continued disruptions
According to the report, about 80% of food retailers and suppliers expect trade policies and tariffs to affect pricing and...
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