367,812 Pounds of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Recalled Nationwide Over Listeria Concerns

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Kraft Heinz Food Company is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, identified through laboratory testing.

The affected products were produced between April 24, 2025, and June 11, 2025. They were distributed to retail locations nationwide and exported to the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

The recalled products include:

• 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey...

ANALYSIS: Summer Squeeze, Limited Turkey Supplies and Consumer Choices

May’s cold storage report tells a story of limited turkey supplies and the search of the American people for value. All turkey categories were down year-over-year (YoY), anywhere from 3.1% for whole toms to 49.7% for MST. This May’s cold storage holdings were below the 5-year average for most categories as well, with the exception of breasts. Along with this theme, the month-over-month (MoM) change in inventories was below average for whole birds and legs.

All of this points to very limited production...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

US Secures Market Access for Poultry Exports to Namibia

The USDA has announced expanded access for US poultry exports to Namibia, a nation located on the southwestern coast of Africa. Effective July 1, Namibia will allow imports of fresh, frozen, and chilled poultry products from the United States, opening a market valued at approximately $15 million.

Additionally, the USDA successfully negotiated the removal of restrictive export and transit permit requirements for processed poultry products—reopening a previously closed trade channel.

This development underscores the Administration’s continued efforts to eliminate non-tariff trade...

Expana Expands Poultry Coverage with New Thigh and Jumbo Tender Forecasts

Expana has announced the launch of two new forecast products on its platform: US Chicken Thigh Meat and Chicken Jumbo Breast Tenders. These additions respond directly to growing client demand and further broaden Expana’s extensive coverage of the chicken market, featuring over 50 forecast price series for poultry including wings, breasts, and trim meat. 

“These two new commodities within the poultry segment are of significant importance,” said Kevin Bull, Senior Forecast Analyst at Expana.  

“Their introduction offers greater coverage of the market..."

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 30 - M&A in the Global Agri-Food Industry, June 2025 Overview

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals.

Today, we bring you up to speed with merger & acquisition activity in the global agrifood landscape that occurred in June 2025 as part of the monthly M&A focus series.

June 2025 M&A activity picked up marginally compared to previous months. The ongoing tariffs situation, looming deadlines, other trade disputes, and market uncertainty, have a role to play here. 

European Investment Bank, CaixaBank Set €180 Mln in Agricultural Loans in Spain

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the long-term lending institution of the European Union, and the Spanish bank CaixaBank have announced a new line of funding for small businesses and mid-caps in the agricultural sector of €180 million.

The funding will go to projects for the modernisation of the sector and rural development. The EIB believes the “operation will help to boost the competitiveness of small businesses and mid-caps" in the agricultural and bioeconomy sectors...

White Castle Debuts New Chicken Slider

There's a new Slider in town — and it's bringing a whole new flavor to America's favorite fast-food menu. White Castle, the family-owned fast-food pioneer that's been serving up steamy, craveable Sliders since 1921, is proud to debut its newest permanent menu item: the Crispy Chicken Slider. Bigger. Crispier. Cravier. And absolutely worthy of its own crown.

Made with tender, juicy all-white meat chicken, coated in a crispy buttermilk breading and drizzled with White Castle's flavorful new honeycomb mustard sauce, the Crispy Chicken Slider is sandwiched between the brand's signature...

Trump, Carney Agree to Resume US-Canada Trade Negotiations

Trade discussions between the United States and Canada resumed late Sunday after Canada announced it would withdraw its proposed digital services tax targeting major US technology firms.

On June 27, President Trump stated that due to Canada’s intention to impose a tax on US tech firms, the US would halt all trade discussions with its northern neighbor “effective immediately.”

The tax was to take effect on Monday, June 30. According to the New York Times, the 3% digital services tax on major US tech firms like Meta, Amazon and...

Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Bologna Products

Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc., a Union, N.J., establishment, is recalling approximately 143,416 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna due to misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The various bologna products subject to recall contain meat or poultry source materials that are not declared on the product labels.

The ready-to-eat bologna items were produced between March 20 and June 20, 2025. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]...

US–China Trade Framework Advances, but Final Terms Still in Flux; Lutnick Hints at More Deals

The United States and China have inked a new trade agreement, President Donald Trump said on June 26.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mirrored the news during an interview with Bloomberg TV, stating that the deal was signed in recent days. Neither Trump nor Lutnick shared further details.

Expana reported on June 11 that Lutnick said the US and China agreed to a trade framework, and the latest comments from both Lutnick and Trump don’t seem to add much...

Study Finds 61% of US Consumers are Scaling Back on Restaurants, Spending Less on Groceries 

As tariffs and inflation continue to impact consumers, Americans are spending less on food. According to Popmenu, which currently serves over 10,000 restaurants, 67% of consumers are scaling back their budgets.  

The nationwide study tracked the dining and spending habits of 1,000 people 21 and older from June 16 to June 17, 2025. When asked to name the areas where they are cutting back the most, restaurants landed the number one spot, with 61% saying they are eating out less and staying in...

UNFI Restores Core Systems After Major Cyberattack Disruption

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) announced that it has safely restored the core systems its customers and suppliers use after suffering a significant cyberattack earlier this month.

“With our electronic ordering and invoicing systems back online, we are delivering products to grocery stores across our network at more normalized levels,” the company said in a June 26 statement. “We are grateful to all our customers and suppliers for their patience and partnership as our UNFI associates continue working to support their needs...

Tyson Debuts New Dino Nuggets in Time for Summer

Embark on a colossal, fun-filled adventure with Tyson Foods’ latest creation – Tyson Mega Dino Nuggets! These playful, protein-packed nuggets are your passport to a prehistoric party, perfect for both kids and anyone who’s still a kid at heart.

Inspired by the roaring success of our original dino nuggets, we've taken the fun to a whole new level with these larger, more dino-tastic bites. The new Tyson Mega Dino Nuggets chicken patties are made from the same ingredients you already know and love, now doubled in size...

New Study Identifies Additional Links Between Poultry Antibiotic Use and Human Drug Resistance

A new study, published in mSphere, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, suggests some antibiotics used in conventional poultry farming may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in humans. This research, conducted by Dr. Alex Wong, Asalia Ibrahim and Jason Au of Carleton University’s Department of Biology, focuses on ionophores, a class of antibiotics commonly used in conventional poultry farming and previously described as “not important to human medicine.”

“This research underscores the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of animal...

ANALYSIS: By-Products Market Surges on Soybean Oil Price Trends

The US by-products market, particularly fats and tallows, has encountered price increases driven by rising soybean oil trends, following the US Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO). The RVO is a plan requiring fuel companies to blend more renewable sources, such as soybean oil, into biofuels. It proposes biomass-based diesel volumes of 5.61 billion gallons for 2026 and 5.86 billion for 2027. This increased demand for soybean oil has reduced available supply, elevating prices.

The fats and tallows market initially adopted...

ANALYSIS: Retail Turkey Distribution Climbs Amid Price Hikes and Inventory Woes

So far, retail distribution of turkey is up 39.6% in June while year-to-date (YTD) it is down 1.9%. The relatively robust June distribution comes at a time when turkey prices continue to skyrocket, as evidenced by the growing gap in this year's Expana Turkey Index compared to the 5-year average.

Despite this June’s Expana Turkey Index outpacing the 5-year average by 40.7%, the average price at retail has only been up 9.7% compared to the 5-year average. This means...

ANALYSIS: May Chicken Cold Storage Maintains Seasonal Trajectory, With Some Exceptions

Chicken cold storage inventories in May rose 1% year-over-year (YOY) and held nearly flat month-over-month (MOM), posting a modest 0.1% gain. This contrasts with the five-year average May decline of 1.9% , signaling a more balanced supply environment, even as individual category trends diverge.

Breasts and breast meat stocks, the largest component of chicken cold storage outside of the “other” category, were essentially unchanged from April, down just 0.1 % versus an average 2.1% seasonal decline...

The Retail Rundown: Independence Day Deals in Focus

As the Fourth of July holiday draws closer, competition for front-page ad space among proteins is heating up. Seafood is currently leading with a 29% share, followed by beef and pork, each capturing 24%. Chicken accounts for 18%, while turkey trails at 2.6%.

Burgers and hot dogs remain backyard barbecue mainstays. Several national grocers were promoting 78–84% lean ground beef under $5 per pound, with eye-catching specials as low as $2.27 on a discounted basis.

Over Father's Day weekend...

Poland, France Push Back Against at Mercosur Deal

Annie Genevard, France’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and Czesław Siekierski, the Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, met in Paris on Wednesday. After the meeting, both showed a united front against the EU-Mercosur deal.

France and Poland have been two of the most vocal opponents to the deal signed in December, after around two decades of negotiations. They argue that the deal will not be beneficial for EU agriculture, despite its possible positive effects in other sectors.

“To put it plainly: we cannot sacrifice agriculture...

General Mills Backs Organic Push in Fresh Pet Food, But M&A Still on Table

As General Mills continues to expand its pet food footprint, the company is leaning heavily on organic growth, particularly in the fast-growing fresh pet food category, while still keeping mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as an option.

During an earnings call on June 25, Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Harmening emphasized that General Mills’ approach to category expansion is a deliberate balance between building from within and acquiring where necessary.

Harmening argued that General Mills believes it has the right investment profile

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:

1. Assess and mitigate their exposure to new global transportation bottlenecks
2. Prepare CFOs for continued supply chain cost volatility
3. Review supply chain resilience strategies

“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...

QDOBA Accelerates Growth with Opening of 800th Restaurant, Surpasses 500 New Development Commitments

On the heels of a record-breaking year of growth and franchise development, QDOBA, America's rapidly growing #2 restaurant brand in the Mexican fast-casual category, today announced that the company has opened its 800th restaurant in Miami, Florida. The new restaurant, located in North Miami Beach at 14583 Biscayne Blvd, marks a significant milestone for the company, which is on track to expand to 1,600 restaurants by 2032.

"QDOBA is the best-kept secret in the restaurant industry and one of the...

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

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 #14."

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...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Prices Rise Despite Seasonal Record Output

According to the latest USDA slaughter data, the volume of ready-to-cook young chicken produced in April was at an all-time seasonal high with a value of nearly 4 billion pounds.

During April, some processors struggled with live-side issues such as avian metapneumovirus, resulting in lower than anticipated live weights and increased mortality. However, the number of chicks placed in February and March was at an all-time high, which helped allow more production to enter the market despite some of the concerns on the live side...

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.

FreshRealm Recalls Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Products Shipped to Kroger and Walmart Nationwide

FreshRealm establishments are recalling chicken fettuccine alfredo products that were distributed to Kroger and Walmart locations nationwide.

According to an announcement today from the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the recalled items may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).

The recalled items include all products produced before June 17, 2025, and include the following labels:

• 32.8-oz. tray packages labeled “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken and Shaved Parmesan Cheese”...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Producers Eye Potential Supply Boost

While this year's turkey egg sets and poult placements are still below the 5-year average, there has been a year-over-year (YOY) increase in all these values.

Over the past year, supplies of most lines within the turkey complex have consistently been barely adequate to short of needs. This has resulted in rapidly rising prices with 21 quotations reaching new all-time highs. Many participants from both sides of the negotiation table have been anxiously wondering when they are going to start seeing increased availability...

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: 
 

• US and EMEA Seafood assessments will be published on Wednesday, June 18
• US cage-free brown egg spot market assessments and graded loose index will be published on Wednesday, June 18th
• US Dairy and Almond assessments will be published on Wednesday, June 18...

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...

Standard Meat Company Names Bill Chandler Director of Supply Chain

Standard Meat Company (SMC), a protein processing and packaging innovator headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, has announced the appointment of Bill Chandler as Director of Supply Chain. This newly created leadership position signals the firm’s continued investment in scalable infrastructure and strategic talent to support long-term, sustainable growth.

“Bill brings the right mix of experience, love of the industry, and respect for the people,” said SMC Co-President and CEO Ben Rosenthal. “His first move hasn’t been to overhaul — but to listen. He knows real strategy...

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...

Taco Bell Builds on Crispy Chicken Momentum with New Lineup

After the sell-out success of its tortilla-coated Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell is expanding into strips, the next phase in what’s shaping up to be a full-fledged crispy chicken platform.

Starting June 17, the brand debuts Crispy Chicken Strips across tacos and burritos. Made with all-white meat chicken, the strips are marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk and breaded in a blend of tortilla chips and breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Each build is layered with shredded cheddar, pico de...

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

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 #13."

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...

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...

Ukrainian Poultry Avesterra Group Opens New Processing Plant  

Avesterra Group has invested around €60 million in the construction of a new processing plant in the Volyn region of Ukraine, with a capacity of 13,500 broilers/hour.   

The 30,000-square-meter plant is equipped with modern equipment that meets European standards, and includes 50 technological and auxiliary buildings, as well as treatment facilities with membrane filtration. The plant will process poultry products for three of the company’s brand, it said. Epikur, a hormone-free chicken brand, the more affordable chicken brand Chebaturochka and Hala-certified Delika.

Avesterra hopes to create hundreds of jobs in the new plant and increase its output capacity to address growing demand and access to EU markets, company said. 

Austria And Hungary Join France in Concerns over Mercosur Deal

Representatives from Austria and Hungary met with the French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Annie Genevard. During the meeting, they “reiterated their strong concerns regarding the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries,” the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty said.

"Significant quantities of imported products produced under lower standards could lead to the exclusion of European agricultural products,” István Nagy, the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture said. This could, the minister added, weigh on prices and on the profitability of EU...

Commerce Secretary Lutnick: US-China Trade Deal Framework Finalized

United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the US and China have agreed to a trade framework after two days of negotiations in London. 

After what reports described as “intense negotiations,” Lutnick told reporters that the framework builds upon an agreement made last month to ease triple-digit retaliatory tariffs. 

 In a social media post on June 11, President Trump said that a deal with China was done and called the trade relationship with China “excellent.” However, further details regarding the deal were not made public...

The Retail Rundown: Seafood Leads Father’s Day Protein Promotions; CPI Shows Mild Increase

For Father’s Day weekend, seafood leads retail protein promotions, accounting for 28% of total ad volume. Beef follows at 24.8%, with pork close behind at 23.6%. Chicken claims 19% of protein ads, while turkey makes up about 3%.

Egg features remain limited for now but are on track to gain ground next week amid improving retail demand. While egg consumption typically slows around this time of year due to reduced baking and fewer hot breakfasts, eggs are emerging as one of the few proteins seeing price relief at retail—standing out amid peak seasonal...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports Slide, How Tariffs and Other Headwinds Hit the Market

Total turkey exports ended the month of April down approximately 23.7% year-over-year (YOY). This was primarily driven by a 23.5% decrease in the volume moved to Mexico, which made up 83.2% of international purchasing of US turkey for April compared to a 5-year average of 67.1%. Much of the changes to US exports of turkey during the spring can be related to tariffs, along with ongoing production concerns.

The month-over-month (MOM) change was only a decline of 0.9%, compared...

Mexico Relaxes Brazilian Poultry Ban, But Mauritania, Oman Expand It

Mexico, along with 46 other countries, initially banned all poultry imports from Brazil after the South American country confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a commercial farm on May 15. Mexico has now relaxed the countrywide ban to just exports from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where the outbreak was detected.

In contrast, Mauritania has banned all imports of chicken meat from all of Brazil, and Oman from Rio Grande do Sul.

Brazil has been advocating for countries to limit the ban...

Convenience Store M&A Activity Suggests More Consolidation is Coming

The pace of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. convenience store sector is accelerating with recent trends suggesting the nation’s c-store landscape is ripe for more change. While most of the transactions in 2024 involved smaller chains or single-store operators, several larger operators inked deals to significantly expand their footprints into new regions.

According to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, c-store consolidation stands to disproportionally affect rural communities, many of which lack a grocery store or access...

Brazil Confirms New HPAI Outbreak in Backyard Poultry

On Saturday, June 7, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock confirmed the detection of bird flu in a backyard flock from the municipality of Campinápolis, in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil.

The Official Veterinary Service closed the property and collected samples for laboratory analysis, which confirmed the outbreak. This marks the fourth case of avian influenza detected in backyard poultry in Brazil.

On Sunday, June 8, eradication measures and surveillance actions began within a 10 km radius of the outbreak...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #12

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 #12."

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...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Hatch Remains on YOY Upswing

In the chicken market, persistent uncertainty around disease risk, pockets of seasonally atypical market movement, and global trade tension continue to complicate forward-looking strategies for buyers and sellers alike. This environment is pushing stakeholders to seek clearer signals amid the noise. In that regard, hatchery performance is one of the few guiding lights in an otherwise volatile market landscape.

According to the latest USDA hatchery figures, both eggs set and chicks placed continue to post steady year-over-year (YOY) gains. Egg sets for the week ending May 31 reached...

KFC Relaunches $7 Fill Ups Nationwide, Partners with F1® THE MOVIE for Summer Campaign

KFC is bringing back its popular $7 Fill Ups, offering four complete meal options at a strong value price point. The return aligns with a nationwide marketing partnership with F1® THE MOVIE, positioning KFC as a go-to stop for quick, satisfying meals this summer.

$7 Fill Ups – Available Now Nationwide:
Each Fill Up includes an entrée, mashed potatoes with gravy, a biscuit, two pie poppers, and a medium drink.

• Three-Piece Tenders Fill Up...

Coke Florida Names New Leaders for Distribution and Manufacturing Operations

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC announced two strategic leadership promotions that further strengthen its operational leadership team.

Yancy Appointed Vice President, Distribution Operations

Yancy, currently serving as Vice President, Manufacturing Operations, has been appointed Vice President, Distribution Operations. In this role, he will lead the execution of Coke Florida’s end-to-end distribution strategy, encompassing traditional and automated warehousing, as well as fleet operations across the company’s statewide footprint.

Yancy brings more than 15 years of experience within the Coca-Cola system and has been with Coke Florida since 2017, driving performance across manufacturing and supply chain functions.

ANALYSIS: Supply-Driven Pricing in the Turkey Market

The number of turkeys processed in April was at an all-time low, following a trend that was established in August of last year. HPAI, avian metapneumovirus, and economic limitations all continue to impact the availability of supplies. The record low supplies are influencing an extremely bullish market as 21 of Expana’s quotations reach all-time high levels. Still, participants on both sides of the negotiation table lament the lack of offerings. Many sellers have reportedly taken a cautious approach when it comes to the pricing of certain lines, especially... 

The Retail Rundown: Pork Deals Deliver Summer Savings

Pork promotions are gaining momentum, with value-priced cuts standing out against higher-priced beef and even some chicken items.

Bacon continues to steal the spotlight in the pork category, fueled by strong seasonal demand as consumers stock up on this summer staple. Over Memorial Day, discounted bacon averaged $6.30 per pound, up nearly 3% from last year. Wholesale belly prices have climbed 13% since early April, supported by tightening hog supplies and historically low cold storage stocks.

As grilling season gains momentum, demand for ribs...

McDonald's Snack Wraps are Officially Coming Back: Here's When

The wait is almost over.

McDonald's confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the Snack Wrap will officially be coming back to restaurants permanently beginning Thursday, July 10.

The Snack Wrap features one of McDonald's new McCrispy Strips – a juicy chicken strip made with all white meat – topped with crisp shredded lettuce and shredded cheese, all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, according to the chain.

The item will be available in two flavors:

• Spicy: Bold, zesty and unapologetically fiery – our Spicy Snack Wrap brings the...

Argentina’s Meatpacker Lequio Group Acquires Mattievich

Lequio, a large Argentinian meatpacker, has announced the acquisition of 80% the meatpacker Mattievich Group, which it hopes to finalize by the end of June. Both firms are already working in the merging of operations, Lequio said.

“We bought 80% of shares, not all. The livestock operations were excluded,” Leonardo Lequio told Argentinian media.

After the acquisition is complete, Lequio will have increased its slaughtering capacity to “over 4,000 cattle head per day,” the firm said.

Lequio will acquire at least six of Mattievich Group facilities across Argenitina...

Mastering Market Volatility: 5 Minutes with Little Caesars’ Derek Nelson

In today’s volatile market, where shifts in agrifood commodity prices can significantly impact your bottom line, understanding and managing risk is paramount. Derek Nelson, Director of Commodity Risk & Analytics at Little Caesars, exemplifies this proactive approach in his role leading hedging operations for this global restaurant chain.

Ahead of his participation at Expana’s Agri-Food Americas event in September, Derek spoke with us to share insights into how a global brand navigates the complexities of dairy, grains, protein and energy markets...

Dave's Hot Chicken Entering Next Phase of Growth & Innovation with Roark

From a parking lot in 2017, to a global sensation which expects to end the year with more than 400 restaurants across the globe; Dave's Hot Chicken has chosen an investment from Roark, entering its next phase of growth and innovation.

Dave's Hot Chicken has had years of incredible unit and sales growth and leading guest satisfaction metrics. The company remains committed to delivering an exceptional experience for its guests, team members and its franchise partners around the globe...

Volatility Defines 2025 in Food and Agriculture Markets – How do You Navigate It?

2025 has been a year marked by uncertainty in the food and agriculture sector. Volatility is the defining characteristic, with a cascade of global events disrupting pricing, availability and trade dynamics. From geopolitical tensions and severe weather events to animal epidemics and macroeconomic shifts, commodity markets have become increasingly difficult to navigate for buyers and sellers alike.

“The key challenge for businesses at the moment is having to navigate different markets going in different directions,” said Tom Bundgaard, VP of Price Forecasting...

Domino's Launches Weeklong Carryout Special

Domino’s is starting the month with a new promotion: from June 2–8, customers can carry out large two-topping pizzas for just $6.99 each.

This weeklong carryout special applies to any large pizza with two toppings, including specialty crusts like Hand Tossed, Crunchy Thin, and New York Style. For an additional $3, customers can upgrade to Domino’s new Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza.

The promotion comes as Domino’s ramps up rewards and deals to boost consumer demand.

The company reported a 0.5% decline...

Popeyes Rolls Out All-New Chicken Wraps

Popeyes is heating up the summer with the launch of an all-new menu category. Introducing the Popeyes Chicken Wrap — a bold, grab-and-go option packed with flavor and value, available for a limited time.

Each wrap features a hand-breaded, crispy chicken tender, crisp lettuce, shredded cheese, crunchy pickles, and your choice of Classic, Spicy, or Honey Mustard spread — all wrapped in a soft, warm tortilla inspired by our famous biscuits.

The Chicken Wraps come in three crave-worthy variations, each available for just $3.99...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 29 - M&A in the Global Agri-Food Industry, May 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 May 2025 as part of the monthly M&A focus series.

May 2025 was generally quieter in terms of M&A compared to previous months. There are many factors influencing this but the ongoing tariffs situation, trade disputes, and market uncertainty, likely playe a role here.

ALDI Announces Promotion of Atty McGrath to ALDI US CEO

ALDI U.S. is excited to announce that Jason Hart, ALDI U.S. Chief Executive Officer, has been promoted to join the Executive Board of ALDI South as Group Chief Operating Officer. Hart will help oversee the company's global operations in Salzburg, Austria, effective September 1. Atty McGrath, currently Chief Operating Officer, will assume the ALDI U.S. Chief Executive role.

During his decade-long leadership as ALDI U.S. CEO, Hart has led the rapid expansion and development of the...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #11

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 #11."

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...

Signing the EU-Mercosur Agreement by December Is Possible, Says European Council President

The EU and Mercosur countries expect to sign the agreement in a December ceremony. “It is a short timeframe, but we are going to try to make it happen,” Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, said during a visit to Brazil on Thursday.

Costa added that the European Commission is in the process of translating the agreement into the 24 EU official languages and plans to finish it by July.

While farming sectors in some EU countries such as France or Spain have expressed concern...

ANALYSIS: April Chicken Cold Storage, Inventory Rebalancing Continues Amid Demand Shifts

Chicken cold storage inventories in April rose 2.1 percent year-over-year, even as total volumes declined 2.3 percent month-over-month. This monthly drawdown was more significant than the typical five-year April average decline of 1.7 percent, reflecting an active reduction in certain categories as seasonal demand shifts into focus.

Breasts and breast meat, which account for the largest portion of total chicken in cold storage, declined 5.8 percent from March. Inventories remain 7.5 percent above year-ago levels and are consistent with historical averages...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Inventories Remain at Multi-Year Low

The latest cold storage report continues to reflect the strain on the US turkey supply chain. Total turkey inventories fell to 318.8 million pounds in April, marking a new seasonal low and an 18.4% year-over-year (YoY) decline from April 2024. This represents the seventh consecutive month of YoY reductions.

A combination of reduced hatchery figures when compared to last year, along with ongoing disease issues, continues to limit overall production output. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detections year-to-date (YTD) are...

71% of Canadian and 43% of Mexican Consumers Intend to Buy Fewer US Grocery Products, Study Reveals

Seventy-one percent of Canadian and 43% of Mexican consumers report they will buy fewer U.S. grocery products in 2025 according to the tenth wave of the dunnhumby Consumer Trends Tracker (CTT) released today. Canada and Mexico are the two largest agricultural trading partners of the U.S. According to the USDA, in 2024 the U.S. exported 33% of its agricultural products to Canada and Mexico, totaling over $58 billion out of $176 billion of total U.S. agricultural...

Firehouse Subs Accelerates Global Growth with Entry into Mexico

Firehouse Subs has signed a significant development agreement with Foodplay to open 100 restaurants across Mexico over the next five years, marking its latest strategic move in international expansion. This initiative is expected to generate hundreds of jobs locally while strengthening brand presence across Latin America.

"We believe Firehouse Subs has tremendous potential in Mexico's growing sandwich market," said Duncan Montero, LAC President of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), parent company of Firehouse Subs. "We're excited to bring Firehouse premium subs, heartfelt service...

Teamsters at Kroger Authorize Strike

Drivers at Kroger's Forest Park fulfillment center have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike in response to the company's repeated refusal to negotiate a fair agreement. The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 528, are demanding a first Teamsters contract with strong wages, good benefits, and enforceable workplace protections.

"Kroger needs to stop dragging its feet and deliver a real offer that respects the work we do," said Marion Jackson, a Kroger driver and Local 528 shop steward. "This company can more than afford what we're asking for. We are ready...

USDA and Mexico Invest in Joint Effort to Eradicate New World Screwworm

On a recent call, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook L. Rollins and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué Sacristán, discussed ongoing efforts to contain the threat of New World Screwworm (NWS) south of the US-Mexico border. The USDA shared an update on the partnership via its website.

As part of this effort, the USDA announced a $21 million investment to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico. The goal is to produce an additional...

The Retail Rundown: Father’s Day Fires Up Demand for Premium Cuts

Meat sales over Memorial Day weekend appeared to underperform in some regions this year, as cool weather across the Midwest curbed outdoor grilling activity.

Retailers are now setting their sights on the next major grilling event, Father’s Day, paired with hopes for improved weather. Falling on June 15th this year, the event presents another opportunity to drive protein consumption. 

This week’s retail buying opportunities are led by seafood, which accounts for 28.2% of protein ads. Beef has 26.4%, trailed by pork at 23.2%, chicken at 18%, and turkey with...

Sugar On the Chopping Block for SNAP Program Following MAHA Commission

On May 22, US President Donald Trump spoke alongside Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and others during a MAHA [Make America Healthy Again] Commission Event. 

“We’re on track to sign multiples of SNAP waivers to get junk food and sugary drinks out of our food stamp system,” said the USDA’s Rollins. Rollins signed the first waivers to amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Nebraska, Indiana, and Iowa, she said during her speech...

The Bird Flu “Outbreak in Montenegro Is Completely Contained,” Brazil Says

“We are on the fifth working day after the farm was completely disinfected, and 15 days have passed since the outbreak was identified. I can safely assure you that the outbreak in Montenegro is completely contained,” Carlos Fávaro, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, said on Tuesday in a public hearing at the Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Committee (CRA).

The hearing was to discuss the “zoosanitary emergency” resulting from bird flu, which has resulted in over 60 countries limiting some or all Brazilian poultry products after...

Layne's Chicken Fingers Celebrates Multiple Six-Figure Opening Weeks

Layne's Chicken Fingers, the Soon to be FamousTM chicken finger franchise, continues to see remarkable results at the restaurant level as it expands nationwide. With growing brand awareness, unbeatable brand loyalty and streamlined operations to ensure a smooth opening period, Layne's restaurants are far exceeding expectations.

"We continue to be blown away by the numbers our franchisees are reaching in their first days and weeks of operations," said Samir Wattar, chief operating officer. "We used to be ecstatic when a franchisee had a six-figure opening...

Expana Will Be Closed on Monday, May 26, 2025

Expana's administrative offices will be closed Monday, May 26, 2025 in observance of Memorial Day.

Coverage will resume on Expana, COMTELL, SeafoodNews and Foodmarket on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #10

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 #10."

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...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Production Expectations on the Rise

The May 2025 USDA Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook paints a cautiously optimistic picture for the US broiler industry. While growth remains intact, several factors—including production constraints and global trade uncertainties—are creating a more measured trajectory moving forward. 

US broiler production is now projected to reach 47.5 billion pounds in 2025, reflecting a modest 1.1% increase over last year. This growth is fueled by a higher number of birds slaughtered and slightly heavier average weights. However, the forecast ha

Executives from Kroger, Publix, Sysco and Walmart Join GS1 US Board of Governors

The GS1 US Board of Governors has elected four industry leaders to join the GS1 US Board: Benjamin Hamilton, vice president, supply chain planning, Kroger; Brad Oliver, senior vice president of product business development, Publix Super Markets, Inc.; Greg Keller, senior vice president, national accounts, Sysco, SYGMA, and Guest Worldwide; and Greg Cathey, senior vice president, transformation and innovation, Walmart. Additionally, Brian Dick, president and CEO, Golden State Foods, has been appointed vice chairman.

These executives comprise a cross-industry Board of Governors...

ANALYSIS: Expectations for Chicken Prices After EU Bans Poultry Imports from Brazil

Brazil, which accounts for approximately 30% of global poultry exports (with China as its top customer, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa), confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm on May 16, 2025. In response, the European Commission (EC) has banned imports of Brazilian poultry and poultry meat products to the European Union (EU).

Although the EU represents only 4.4% of Brazil’s total poultry exports, Brazil accounts for approximately 32% of the EU’s poultry... 

ANALYSIS: Turkey Hatch Figures Reflect Supply Pinch with Slight Variations

Given the well accounted for supply landscape surrounding most key segments within the turkey complex at the moment, market participants are closely monitoring for any signs of a shift from the prevailing status quo. Although May marked the nineteenth consecutive month of year-over-year (YoY) declines in the eggs in incubators, there could be some emerging indications that an inflection point may be approaching, at least on paper.

May’s beginning tally of 24.8 million eggs in incubators was just 0.2%, or 51,000 eggs, below the comparable period in...

Snack Mania Recalls Nearly 10,000 Pounds of Chicken Coxinhas Due to Lack of Federal Inspection

According to an announcement from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Snack Mania Brazilian Delights Corp has issued a recall of approximately 9,722 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken coxinhas products. The recall was initiated because the products were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.

The affected items were produced on various dates between June 27, 2024, and May 2, 2025. They are packaged in 16.37 oz plastic containers labeled “Snack Mania COXINHAS BRAZILIAN...

Cargill Forecasts a Sizzling Start to Summer Grilling this Memorial Day

As millions of Americans mark the start of summer this Memorial Day weekend, Cargill is forecasting a strong demand for protein as grills fire up across the country. The company expects that many consumers will prioritize affordability without sacrificing taste by seeking out staples like ground beef, chicken and hot dogs.

Nearly 9 of 10 consumers say they’re ready to grill this summer, with approximately half of them planning to do so weekly. Beef (79%) and poultry (64%) remain the top choices for the grill...

Dolly Parton Partners with Conagra Brands on New Line of Frozen Dinners

America’s sweetheart and musical icon, Dolly Parton, has announced the expansion of her retail food line.

In partnership with industry leader Conagra Brands, the launch builds on a successful collaboration that began in 2022.

The new line combines the convenience of single-serve frozen meals with the finger-licking flavors of Southern-inspired cuisine. Each meal retails for $4.49 and can be prepared in either the microwave or oven. The meals are available at major grocery retailers across the US.

Product highlights... 

The Retail Rundown: Seafood Leads Memorial Day Retail Ads; Weather Poses Challenges

Seafood leads retail protein promotions heading into Memorial Day weekend, accounting for 28.7% of total featured protein ad volume. Pork follows at 25.9%, with beef at 21.3% and chicken at 19.3%.

Egg feature volume is virtually absent amid sluggish retail demand. Warmer weather is prompting a shift toward fruit and cereal for breakfast, while elevated, though easing, shelf prices continue to dampen consumer interest, according to Expana.

Within the seafood category, fresh and frozen fillets represent the largest share of advertised items at nearly 28%. Raw shrimp...

Feeder Vessel Transfers Disqualify Cargo from In-Transit Tariff Exemption Under IEEPA

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has provided clarification regarding the application of the in-transit tariff exemption under the Reciprocal Tariff Executive Order, with specific implications for feeder vessel operations. In guidance released on May 15, CBP confirmed that cargo transferred from a feeder vessel to a US-bound vessel after April 5, 2025, will not qualify for the in-transit exemption.

Under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), cargo that was loaded before April 5 and remains...

Applebee’s Reintroduces “All You Can Eat” to Drive Seasonal Traffic

Applebee’s has reintroduced its popular “All You Can Eat” promotion, an LTO strategy the brand consistently deploys during high-traffic periods to drive guest visits.

This season’s lineup features three proven guest favorites and legacy menu items: Chicken Tenders, Riblets, and Double Crunch Shrimp—offering broad consumer appeal.

• All You Can Eat Chicken Tenders – Battered and fried white meat chicken, served crispy with a choice of two savory dipping sauces.
• All You Can Eat Riblets – Bone-in pork riblets, slow-cooked and finished in either...

Expana Honors an Industry Legend and the Next Generation with Awards

The award ceremony at this year’s Executive Conference, the event for leaders in the animal protein sector, featured the annually presented Rising Star Award sponsored by Farm Credit, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In its third year, the Rising Star Award is presented to a protein industry newcomer who is striving towards innovation, collaboration and success for not only their business but the wider sector. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has had a multi-faceted and distinguished career in...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #9

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 #9."

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...

GSF Promotes Bill Chiou to Vice President, Global Applications & Welcomes Guillermo Hernandez Garcia

In recent leadership news, GSF is pleased to announce the promotion of Bill Chiou to Vice President, Global Applications and the appointment of Guillermo Hernandez Garcia as Group Vice President, Supply Chain.

In late April, Bill assumed his elevated information technology role of Vice President, Global Applications. In this position, he oversees the strategic development, implementation, management, and continuous improvement of GSF’s global applications portfolio. He ensures business applications support and advance the company’s strategic objectives, operational efficiency, and digital transformation initiatives across all divisions and geographies.

Brazil Confirms First Bird Flu Outbreak on Commercial Poultry Farm in Nearly 20 Years 

Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) confirmed on Friday, May 16 an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in a breeder facility for commercial poultry. The outbreak was detected on May 15 in the municipality of Montenegro, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where one of the largest poultry production facilities in the country is located.  

“This is the first HPAI outbreak detected in Brazil’s commercial poultry farming system,” Mapa said, and added that containment and eradication measures...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Exports for March Driven by Global Uncertainty 

March 2025 broiler exports totaled 568,711,000 lbs, up 1.8% year-over-year (YoY) and 3.9% from February. While the headline growth appears stable, underlying market movements suggest a broiler export sector navigating increasing trade friction and market realignment.

Taiwan saw the steepest decline, with volumes falling 47.3% YoY and 69.5% month-over-month (MoM), landing far below its 5-year March average. This aligns with ongoing geopolitical strain and shifting procurement policies, possibly tied to broader regional trade conflicts and retaliatory barriers that have sharply reduced...

Mars Opens New Pet Food Facility in Ohio

Mars has opened a new $450 million Royal Canin pet food factory in Lewisburg, Ohio, representing the largest single investment in a Royal Canin manufacturing site globally. 

The new facility, spanning 450,000 square feet, will produce enough dry pet food to feed 4 million pets annually and create up to 270 new jobs over five years. 

In the US, Mars operates 37 factories in addition to veterinary clinics, labs and 14 global and regional offices. This investment is part of Mars’ larger $6 billion commitment 

JBS Q1 2025 Net Profit Up 50% on Pork, Poultry Gains

Brazilian meat company JBS reported a 50.5% increase in net profit in the first quarter of 2025 reaching 2.92 billion reais ($521 million). Revenue rose 8.5% to $19.5 billion.

The company said strong results in its pork and poultry operations offset continued weakness in North American beef. Seara, its Brazil-based unit, reported an EBITDA margin of 19.8%, while the North American beef business posted a negative 1.6% EBITDA margin, despite net sales up by 16%.

Beef margins were pressured by record cattle...

The Retail Rundown: Pre-Grilling Season Retail Insights

With Memorial Day fast approaching, retailers are ramping up promotions to jumpstart the unofficial kickoff to the summer grilling season—a crucial window for driving foot traffic and boosting meat department sales.

The next two weeks are key, as market participants closely watch consumer demand ahead of what is typically one of the busiest periods for beef sales. Protein items are being prominently showcased alongside vibrant seasonal produce, enhancing the appeal of in-store displays.

Seafood leads the protein feature mix this week, accounting for nearly 30% of all advertised protein items...

China, UK Trade Talks Pose Positive Opportunities for US Animal Food Industry

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to see a cooling of U.S. tariffs on and retaliatory tariffs from China and a proposed trade agreement with the United Kingdom coming to fruition, given discussions late last week and over the weekend between the U.S. and respective countries’ trade officials. Both China and the United Kingdom present valuable opportunities for U.S. animal food manufacturers, which produce some of the safest, highest quality and innovative feed, feed ingredients and pet food globally...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8

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 #8."

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...

Dr. Casey Means Appointed to US Surgeon General

On May 8, Dr. Casey Means was appointed to be the next US Surgeon General by US President Trump, after a recommendation from US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A forthcoming Senate hearing will occur to vote whether to confirm Means to this position, Expana has reported. 

Means associates diet with the root cause of the “chronic disease epidemic” in America. 

“Metabolic dysfunction is largely not a genetic issue. It’s caused by toxic American ultra-processed industrial food, toxic American chemicals, toxic American medication, and our toxic sedentary indoor lifestyles..."

US Foods Achieves Solid Q1 Results with Gains Across Key Segments

US Foods has released its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, highlighting strong performance driven by a focused strategy and the company's ability to manage controllable factors while adapting to broader macroeconomic conditions.

“During the first quarter we outperformed the industry and again delivered strong profitability, with Adjusted EBITDA growing 9% and Adjusted Diluted EPS increasing 26%, despite the challenging operating environment and weather-related headwinds. Our results speak to the strength of our customer value proposition and relentless execution of our strategy,”...

49th Executive Conference Highlights Resilience and Future Outlook of Animal Protein Sector

This year’s Executive Conference held in Las Vegas from May 5–7 for senior leaders in the animal protein sector, was an informative show of the industry’s and what we can expect from the protein sector in the coming years.  

“We feed the ever-growing needs of the entire population,” said Russ Whitman, Expana’s Director of Market Reporting, in his opening remarks. 

Despite challenges related to animal health, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical tensions, the industry has demonstrated remarkable perseverance.