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...

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...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Price Slows Descent, First Signs of Consumer Relief Underway

Expana’s cage-free large quotation has continued to decline this week, albeit at a slower pace to last, dropping to $5.83/dozen Thursday. This marks a 41% decrease since the market peaked at $9.86/dozen in late February.

Weak retail demand remains the primary force behind declining wholesale values, as inflation-weary consumers continue to push back against high shelf prices. In response, grocers have scaled back their orders to better align with sluggish sales, leaving suppliers scrambling to offload surplus inventory. As recently as... 

Butterfly Acquires the Duckhorn Portfolio of Wines for $1.95 Billion

On Christmas Eve, the Los Angeles-based Butterfly Equity acquired a Californian wine maker known as the Duckhorn Portfolio, according to a media alert. The all-cash deal valued Duckhorn at $11.10 per share or approximately $1.95 billion.

Duckhorn encompasses 2,200 acres of vineyards throughout California, Oregon, and Washington state. The company sells brands like Decoy, Sonoma-Cutrer, Postmark, and more. Originally, Duckhorn Vineyards started in 1976 as a family-owned company founded in Napa Valley. Today, their wines are available throughout the US...