China Customs Bans Poultry Imports from Spain for Bird Flu
China's General Administration of Customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, on Monday, issued a joint notice banning the direct or indirect import of poultry and related products from Spain, following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in the country.
The announcement cited information from the World Organization for Animal Health confirming outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Spanish poultry. The measure aims to prevent the virus from entering China and safeguard the country's livestock industry and biosecurity...
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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
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 #21."
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 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...
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...
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 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..."
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...
Letters to Brazil: Trump Cites "Witch Hunt" While Charging 50% Tariff
US President Trump has charged 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports to the States, according to a letter to Brazilian President Lula.
This week, reciprocal tariffs were re-announced in the form of letters from the US Trump administration to trading partners who could not reach a deal within the previously granted 90-day pause. And what a fun week it's been for tariffs' "watchers on the wall."
Letters to 22 trading partners were sent with new tariff rates that will be implemented on August 1...
UNFI Posts Solid Quarterly Results and Revises 2025 Outlook Following Cyber Incident
American grocery wholesaler United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) released its quarterly results and updated its full-year outlook for fiscal 2025 on Wednesday, following consistent success across three consecutive quarters.
“With a proven multi-year strategy and consistent execution through the third quarter of fiscal 2025, we are confident in our underlying momentum and our ability to achieve our multi-year financial targets at an accelerated pace compared to the initial targets we communicated in October 2024,” said Sandy Douglas, CEO of UNFI...
FDA Deems 52 Food Standards Obsolete, Proposes Their Repeal
On July 16, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a direct final rule revoking 52 food standards that the agency deemed obsolete and unnecessary. The food standards relate to canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni products, fish and shellfish, and dressings and flavorings.
If approved, the rule will repeal standards for 11 types of canned fruits and vegetables that are no longer sold in U.S. grocery stores, including seven standards for fruits that are artificially sweetened with saccharin or sodium saccharin...
The Retail Rundown: Summer Travel Drives Foodservice Gains as Retailers Compete for Shoppers
Foodservice is in full swing this summer, fueled by warm weather and vacation season as consumers hit the road and dine out. This Fourth of July, AAA estimated a record 72.2 million Americans traveled domestically—a 2.4% increase from last year and 7 million more than in 2019.
“This year, we're seeing strong demand for road trips, flights, and cruises, especially with the holiday falling on a Friday,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of AAA Travel.
With so much consumer attention on travel and dining out, food...
National Restaurant Association Applauds Trump Tax Bill for Boosting Industry Jobs and Growth
President Donald Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill features tax policies that will assist the restaurant and foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association said.
The group stated that the bill will enable restaurant owners and operators nationwide to “create jobs, invest in their business, and provide certainty for their local economies.”
“The restaurant industry is a powerful economic engine – generating over $1.4 trillion in annual economic activity and employing more than 15 million people nationwide,” said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association...
Trump Letters Reveal August 1 Tariff Rates for Key US Trading Partners
The Trump administration was busy after the Fourth of July holiday, as the President sent out a litany of letters to US trading partners revealing what their tariff rate would be starting on August 1.
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump and members of the administration announced that letters would begin rolling out showcasing new tariff rates for countries. The letters came at a rapid pace on Monday afternoon, with messages dispatched to the leaders of Japan, South Korea and South Africa, to name a few...
ANALYSIS: Seasonally Elevated Egg Product Values Begin to Ease
After reaching all-time highs earlier this year across nearly every category, the egg products market is now showing signs of correction. A combination of seasonal softness and fundamental market shifts is placing downward pressure on values in the liquid, frozen, and dried segments.
Earlier in the year, prices for whole egg, whites, and yolk surged in response to the supply shock caused by HPAI, which sharply reduced the availability of shell eggs during a time of strong demand from schools, institutions, and commercial bakers...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #17
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #17."
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...
This week, reciprocal tariffs were re-announced in the form of letters from the US Trump administration to trading partners who could not reach a trade deal within the previously granted 90-day pause...
Trump Tariff Letters Continue to Roll Out; Philippines Faces 20% Tariff
President Trump has sent a new batch of letters to several countries, including the Philippines, notifying them of new US tariff rates set to take effect on August 1, giving them a short window to renegotiate trade terms before the deadline.
On July 8, Trump stated that a minimum of seven countries would be released, with an additional group to be released in the afternoon.
Despite multiple tariff implementation delays already, Trump was steadfast and set August 1 as a hard deadline in a social media...
Former USDA Economist Looks at How Trade Disputes and Geopolitics Are Reshaping Agri-Food
As global supply chains face intensifying pressure from geopolitical tensions, climate variability and shifting consumer demands, agri-food leaders are constantly rethinking their procurement strategies.
At Expana’s Agri-Food Americas event on September 23-24 in Chicago, these themes take center stage in the panel discussion “How Geopolitical Uncertainty, Tariffs, and Trade are Impacting Food & Ag”.
Conflict and policy shifts can destabilize your supply chain and disrupt sourcing. This panel will offer expert insights into international affairs so you can adapt quickly...
The Retail Rundown: Retailers Push Value to Maintain Protein Momentum
Retail meat clearance over the Independence Day holiday was generally strong, with consumers stocking up on grilling staples for the summer’s flagship cookout occasion.
With few major buying events remaining this summer, grocers will likely push aggressive features and highlight value finds to sustain shopper engagement through the dog days of summer.
Post-holiday protein advertisements show seafood maintaining the lead at 33.1% of retail features, followed by beef at 25.1% and pork at 21.5%. Chicken accounted for 16.2%, while turkey fell to just 2%—half of the previous week's...
US to Impose 25% Tariff on Japanese and Korean Imports Starting August 1
President Donald Trump's tariff letters are being rolled out, with Korea and Japan at the forefront. In identical letters released on July 7, the administration announced that both countries will face a 25% tariff on all goods imported into the United States, effective August 1.
In identical letters sent to the leaders of both countries, Trump declared that the US would impose the tariffs “on any and all Korean (Japanese) products sent into the US,” including goods transshipped through third countries in an attempt to bypass the...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Moves Higher Amid West Coast Strength
Cage-free values rose 6cts this week, marking a notable contrast to the mostly steady conventional market. While demand for eggs is slightly above typical seasonal levels—buoyed in part by Fourth of July holiday preparations—the real driver of the cage-free market's momentum has been robust West Coast buying interest.
Traditionally, egg demand softens during midsummer as consumers shift toward lighter, seasonally favorite breakfast meals. However, eggs remain a compelling outlier in today’s retail landscape. Unlike most proteins, which continue to rise in ...
US Pushes Tariff Deadline to August, Trump Administration Expects Surge in Deals
President Donald Trump said on July 6 that the US is nearing several new trade deals and that letters will be sent to trading partners by July 9, warning of increased tariffs set to take effect on August 1.
The move effectively extends the administration’s trade deadline from July 9 to August 1, giving Trump more time to finalize agreements. So far, the U.S. has signed just two deals—one with the United Kingdom and another with Vietnam, as Expana reported last week...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #16
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #16."
Expana Publication Schedule for The Fourth of July Holiday
Expana will be observing the Fourth of July holiday on Friday, July 4, which will impact the publication of some Expana Benchmark Prices.
The following weekly reports will be impacted:
The regular publishing schedule will resume on...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Ahold Delhaize USA Names Jason Wilson Chief Financial Officer
Wilson to Lead Financial Strategy and Operations for Largest Grocery Retail Group on the East Coast
Leading grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize USA announced that Jason Wilson, a recognized retail and finance executive in the grocery industry and longtime leader at Ahold Delhaize USA companies, has been named Chief Financial Officer. In his new position, Wilson oversees financial strategy and operations, playing an instrumental role in supporting the omnichannel growth of the U.S. businesses, delivering the company’s Growing Together strategy and 2028 commitments and ensuring strong financial controls...
ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Faces Cross-Sector Pull Amid Shared Supply, Divided Demand
Cage-free values held steady this week at $3.16/dozen. Despite flat quotations, behind-the-scenes movement was more dynamic, driven by a tightening spread between cage-free and conventional prices and a regional surge in demand—most notably along the West Coast.
The price gap between Urner Barry’s rest-of-market cage-free quote and the Midwest large conventional quote has narrowed to just 4cts, marking the tightest spread since the cage-free quote was introduced in 2024...
South Africa To Allow Brazilian Poultry from Regions Other Than Rio Grande do Sul
South Africa will allow poultry imports from Brazil outside of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The country had banned imports of poultry products from Brazil after that country confirmed its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial farm in May. South Africa was among the group of countries, which included China and EU members, that had banned all Brazilian poultry.
Following no new cases in commercial farms, Brazil began to campaign to restart trade via regionalization agreements...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #14
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Eggs From the Indian Namakkal District Exported to US For the First Time
For the first time, eggs from the Namakkal district in India have been exported to the US, Ricky Thaper, Joint Secretary at the Poultry Federation of India, confirmed. He added that around “21 containers each carrying around 4.75 lakh eggs.” A lakh of eggs is equal to 100,000 eggs.
C. Panneerselvam, president of the Tamil Nadu Egg Exporters Association said there were 20 air-conditioned containers, carrying around 10 million eggs from Thoothukudi port, and they were expected to arrive to the US next week.
"Based on consumer feedback from the U.S., further negotiations will be held regarding continued exports," Panneerselvam added.
Expana Will be Observing the Juneteenth Holiday Thursday, June 19
Expana will be observing the Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, June 19, which will impact the publication of some Expana Benchmark Prices. All US offices will be closed on the day; daily reports will not be published, and the following weekly reports will be impacted:
The Retail Rundown: Grocers Set Stage for Final Summer Push
With Father’s Day in the rearview, grocers are setting the stage for the final big buying event of the summer: the Fourth of July.
The upcoming holiday marks the last major retail push before Labor Day and serves as a key buying window for proteins like beef ahead of the mid-summer lull. To keep product moving, grocers are expected to lean heavily on promotions and feature aggressive pricing in the coming weeks.
Post-Father’s Day, pork and chicken are poised to capture more...
DHS Reverses Pause on ICE Raids, Targeting Farms, Hotels, and Restaurants
Days after the Trump administration ordered a pause on immigration raids targeting the agriculture and hospitality industries, the Department of Homeland Security has reversed course, authorizing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to resume worksite enforcement at farms, hotels, and restaurants, according to the Washington Post.
The publication reported that ICE held a call on June 16 to direct agency leaders that raids could occur at farms, hotels, and restaurants. Representatives from 30 field offices across the US were informed of the new instructions via the call...
Datassential Lists Chick-fil-A as America's Favorite Chain Restaurant
On June 12, 2025, food and beverage intelligence platform Datassential announced the winners of the first-ever Datassential 500 Awards, showcasing the most dynamic foodservice brands in the United States. Notable winners include Chick-fil-A (favorite chain), Crumbl (most unique restaurant menu), and CAVA (best healthy chain).
Founded in 2001, Datassential has been providing food and beverage brands with intelligence tools and consumer insights for more than two decades, including quintessential companies like Starbucks, General Mills, Land O' Lakes, Pepsi, Burger King, and Target...
Circana’s ‘Eat Play Love’ Report Shows Consumer Indulgence Despite Conservative Daily Spending
On June 12, 2025, Circana released its latest report on consumer spending trends, titled “Eat Play Love,” revealing how European consumers are turning to comfort despite ongoing economic pressures, climate concerns, and global conflicts that continually shape daily life.
According to the report, despite exercising frugality with everyday purchases, European consumers are currently prioritizing food retail, foodservice, prestige beauty, and toy purchases, thus indicating a shift towards “self-soothing consumption” and “mini moments of bliss.”
The report leverages Circana's extensive coverage of European consumer goods across hundreds of...
ICE Told to Pause Worksite Raids in Agriculture, Hospitality Sectors by Trump Administration
The Trump administration will reportedly direct US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pause raids on businesses operating in the agricultural, restaurant, and hotel industries.
According to the New York Times, an internal email and three US officials confirmed the adjustment to President Trump’s deportation and immigration policies.
The email obtained by the publication directed ICE officials to “hold on all work site enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meat packing plants), restaurants and operating hotels...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #13
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Global Commodities Markets – Q2 2025 Trends and Forecasts
Welcome to the Global Commodities Markets: Q2 2025 trends and forecasts report, where we examine key developments in the global commodity markets.
In an ever-changing economic landscape, getting key insights on essential commodities is crucial for stakeholders across industries.
Each quarter, this report will focus on a few commodities with significant price fluctuations, delivering insights and forward-looking analysis.
Further commodity insights can be explored on the Expana platform, where you’ll find real-time price tracking, access to industry experts and customized alerts...
FEATURED STORIES
ANALYSIS: Australian Beef on Verge of Korea’s Safeguard Trigger, as 1H 2025 Imports Up 4.2% YOY
ANALYSIS: FSIS July 2025 Boneless Beef Shipments to the US Slow Amid Tariff Uncertainty
ANALYSIS: Brazil Sets New Record with July 2025 Beef Exports