Tyson Foods Launches New Hillshire® Snacking Dips and Spreads

Tyson Foods has announced the launch of Hillshire Snacking Dips and Spreads.

Hillshire Snacking, known for its gourmet snacks and creative flavor combinations, now offers consumers chef-curated snacking experiences, pairing premium pepperoni and rich cream cheese spreads with perfectly toasted rounds.

The new Hillshire Snacking Dips and Spreads include three unique and flavorful varieties:

• Pepperoni, Garlic & Herb – Savory pepperoni paired with aromatic garlic and herbs
• Pepperoni, Mozzarella & Tomato – Classic Italian-inspired flavors with a creamy mozzarella and rich tomato spread
• Pepperoni, Red Pepper Flakes & Italian Herbs...

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...

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...

Secretary Rollins Secures Greater Market Access with Costa Rica for US Dairy Industry

Under U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins’ leadership, American dairy producers will have greater market access as Costa Rica has approved the first U.S. dairy facility to be registered under their new streamlined approval process. The Trump Administration continues to break down non-tariff barriers, and this latest action is the first of many wins ahead for American dairy producers.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is putting Farmers First. Securing greater market access for American dairy farmers is a much-needed win for the U.S. dairy industry and will give our...

HPAI H5N1 Virus in Dairy Cattle – What We Know

In March 2024, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1), commonly referred to as bird flu, was confirmed in domestic US livestock for the first time in a dairy operation in Texas. Since then, the virus has spread to 1,072 dairy operations across 17 states, raising widespread uncertainty throughout the dairy and livestock markets. Industry participants have raised concerns about the outbreak's potential impact on consumer perception and demand for dairy and meat products, though government agencies reiterate that the national food supply remains safe. Expana is closely monitoring the situation...

ANALYSIS: The Rise of Beef and Dairy Animal Crossbreeding in the US 

Beef-on-dairy (beef x dairy) crossbreeding has gained significant traction in recent years, particularly the use of Holstein cows bred with widely used beef cattle breeds.  Financial incentives are present for dairy farmers in times when milk checks remain uncertain.

Historically, however, the beef and dairy sectors have operated as largely separate industries. Dairy farms have primarily focused on milk production, with breeding programs aimed at optimizing traits like milk yield, udder health, and reproductive efficiency...

Exclusive International Trade Centre Interview: Implications of Trump’s Tariff Regime

Julia Spies is the Chief of Trade and Market Intelligence for the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Switzerland. Spies and team analyze trade information and publish findings about market-specific trade intelligence on multiple online platforms, like Tradebriefs.intracen.org.

Recent shifts in the world of trade, including the latest round of United States tariffs and trade measures by other countries, has kept Spies and company busy, to say the least.

However, ITC members have watched trade measures, and in particular their impact on developing countries, long before these recent changes...

Global Dairy Markets Face Heightened Uncertainty Following Sweeping US Tariffs

Global dairy markets are facing heightened uncertainty following the sweeping tariffs imposed by the US administration. As part of a broader trade strategy, US President Trump introduced plans on April 2 to implement a 10% baseline tariff across the board, with steep rates for specific countries, including 34% on China, 20% on the European Union, 46% on Vietnam, and 32% on Taiwan.

Mexico and China, two of the largest buyers of US dairy products such as cheese and whey powders, are at the forefront of these concerns. US exports to these markets are expected to decline in the...

Trump’s Political Appointments: What They Mean for Commodity Markets

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in for this second term as US President. JD Vance also took the oath of office to become the 47th Vice President.

The new President and his political appointments have dotted headlines in the agricultural commodity space and beyond–grabbing the attention of individuals worldwide. More importantly, the people Trump is bringing aboard to lead, regulate, or deregulate the country’s industries will carry with them implications for domestic and international commodity markets...

Kerry Group Reports 7.4% Increase in EBITDA for FY 2024

Kerry Group has released its 2024 financial results, showing group revenue totaling €8.0 billion, with revenue from continuing operations reaching €6.9 billion. Revenue is just below 2023’s €8.02 billion but the groups' EBITDA grew by 7.4% to €1.25 billion.

The company’s Taste & Nutrition division grew by 3.4% in volume compared to a 1.1% growth in 2023. The total group volumes also increased by 3.3%, compared to a negative 0.9% the previous year.

Kerry Group completed the sale of Kerry Dairy Ireland...

US Valentine's Day Index 2025

As Valentine’s Day traditionally provides a boost for restaurants and confectionary retailers, Expana has analyzed the key commodities associated with this holiday.

Expana’s US Valentine's Day Chocolate Index consists of cocoa beans, sugar, and skimmed milk powder (SMP). In addition, consumption of strawberries increases during the Valentine’s Day period, and vanilla is widely used in preparation of cakes and chocolates. As a result, Expana has included the prices of these commodities separately in this report.

Although US consumers and retailers will welcome more affordable meal prices than in 2024, the cost of confectionery this Valentine’s...

Watch Out for Food and Beverage Companies with Big Game Commercials

It’s nearly time for “The Birds” to face the reigning champions in New Orleans. Food and beverage brands with creative advertising teams and big budgets wait all year to show off their best commercials in the short time they have with viewers’ undivided attention.

Such advertisements are impressive enough to instill annual recall and yearly expectations. Brands like Budweiser, Pepsico, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, or Doritos are oft-anticipated after years of advertising during the big game.

In 2025, a 30-second national spot during the broadcast...

Cracker Barrel to Deploy Cheese Distributing Robots in New Orleans

Cracker Barrel will deploy cheese distributing robots to fans before “The Birds” face the reigning champions in New Orleans, according to a company press release.

From Thursday, February 6, to Sunday, February 9, Cracker Barrel’s 50-bot fleet of AI-powered food delivery robots will serve individually-wrapped cheese sticks to fans who must scan a QR code to receive the free cheese.

Nearby contracts for common cheddar cheese are valued at $1.89/lb, according to Expana.

The refrigerated, Roomba-esque robots will crawl streets and tailgate lots...

Trudeau: Trump Will Pause Tariffs on Canada for 30 Days

As of Monday evening, US President Trump will postpone 25% tariffs on Canada, Reuters reported after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote an X post about the matter.

After the day's second conversation with Trump, Trudeau wrote:

"I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting..."

Spanish Competition Authority Fines Food Firm Alimentaria Peñasanta

Spanish food producer Alimentaria Peñasanta has been fined for acquiring Spanish dairy company Lácteas Flor de Burgos without notifying the CNMC, Spain’s Competition Authority. Alimentaria Peñasanta is part of CAPSA Food, which owns Spanish dairy brands such as Central Lechera Asturiana, Larsa, or Innova Food Ingredient. Lácteas Flor de Burgos is specialized in the production of soft cheese and yogurt. 

The acquisition took place in December 2023, but Alimentaria Peñasanta did not inform the CNMC until March 2024, violating the Spanish Competence Act 2007, the CNMC said...

USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for California Disaster Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that people recovering from the impact of recent wildfires and straight-line winds may be eligible for food assistance through USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Approximately 81,477 households in 28 zip codes in Los Angeles County are estimated to be eligible for this relief to help with grocery expenses.

Through this program, which USDA makes available through states in the aftermath of disasters, people who may not be eligible for SNAP under normal circumstances can participate if they meet...

Aldi’s Making Waves With New European Locations and a Chardonnay Partnership

In January’s fourth week, news about the discount grocery store Aldi made food industry headlines with talk of expansion, and an alcohol partnership that will help clean the ocean.

In 2025, Aldi is set to open nine stores in London, the company announced. The openings in Wimbledon, Fulham Broadway, Caterham, and Orpington are part of the grocery chain’s £650 million investment in Britain during this new year.

Furthermore, leaders of this grocery chain plan to open 40 new supermarkets in Spain. So, shoppers in regions like Andalusia, Madrid...

USDA Shares Enrollment of Six Additional States in Its National Milk Testing Strategy for H5N1

USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy Now Accounts for Two-Thirds of the Nation's Dairy Herds

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced an additional six states are enrolling in the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS). This brings the total number of states testing under NMTS guidelines to 36 since the first round of states joined in early December.

With the enrollment of six additional states, the NMTS will account for bulk milk tank...