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Taco Bell Builds on Crispy Chicken Momentum with New Strip-Based 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...
ANALYSIS: Australia’s May 2025 Beef Exports Hover Near Record Highs at 129,477 mt
Australia’s May beef exports reached 129,477 metric tons (mt), just 571 mt below the record set in October 2024, according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Exports rose 1.8% or 2,306 mt following April’s post-cyclone rebound, marking the second consecutive month of growth. Gains were driven by stronger shipments to the United States and Canada, while volumes to Japan and Korea declined.
Compared to a year ago, overall exports were up 13.7% (+15,554 mt), led by...
ANALYSIS: April Pork Volumes Reflect Global Tariff Strain
In April 2025, US pork exports fell sharply to 582,920,000 pounds a decline of 9.1% from March and 11.1% compared to last April, US-imposed “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs took effect: a baseline 10% duty began April 5, followed by significantly higher country‑specific tariffs on April 9, including a 54% effective rate on Chinese goods. These sweeping measures, and retaliatory levies from both China and Canada in the same period, disrupted established trade flows and significantly squeezed US pork volumes—especially to Canada and China...
ANALYSIS: US Beef Variety Export Destination Comparison between April 2024 and April 2025
In April 2024, the total pounds of beef variety meats exported was 45,372,390 lbs, compared to only 37,242,729 lbs in April 2025. When analyzing specific items, hearts were down by about 4 million pounds, kidneys by around half a million pounds, lips by over a million pounds, livers by nearly 2 million pounds, and tongues by about 139,000 pounds. These few items alone account for roughly 7.5 million pounds not exported in 2025 compared to 2024.
With the tariffs introduced in April 2025...
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...
Bill Aims to Protect Texas Livestock from Screwworm Threat
A bill introduced in Congress aims to safeguard livestock and wildlife in Texas and the U.S. from the New World screwworm, a destructive pest that once devastated ranches across the southern U.S.
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) authored the New World Screwworm Preparedness Act to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a comprehensive study on screwworm surveillance and prevention efforts. The bill also requires USDA to recommend improvements that would strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to a potential outbreak...
Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline
US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.
“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET.
It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...
ANALYSIS: US Imports Record High Volumes of Boneless Beef in May 2025
In May, the US imported 89,704 metric tons (mt) of boneless beef, which was an increase of 16,284 mt from April according to the latest Food Safety and Inspection Service report. These shipment figures include product that was rushed to the US ports ahead of the implementation of new tariffs as well as tariffed product departing the origin port after the April deadline.
Compared to last May, a surge of 31,977 mt more product was entered into the country, a 55.4% increase...
ANALYSIS: CAB and Choice Ribeye Prices Narrow in 2025 Ahead of Father’s Day
With Father’s Day approaching, it’s an ideal time to examine the price relationship between Certified Angus Beef® (CAB) and Choice boneless ribeyes. Year-to-date, Choice ribeyes are priced at $11.84/lb, up 25% from $9.47/lb year-over-year. CAB boneless ribeyes also increased, rising from $10.72/lb to $12.89/lb over the same period, a 20% gain. What stands out is the narrowing price spread between the two programs: from 13% in early June 2024...
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...
Powering Pork’s Future: New Three-Year Strategic Plan Charts the Path Forward
NPB’s Board of Directors has approved a new three-year strategic plan—part of a broader roadmap that will guide us through 2028. The strategic plan was presented to the board by the task force during the March 2025 Pork Industry Forum.
Kicking off in August 2024, the strategic planning process brought in insights from a wide range of producers and industry stakeholders. The result? A strategy that keeps producers’ priorities front and center—ensuring every hard-earned dollar...
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...
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:
JM Smucker Raises Coffee Prices Amongst Tariff Uncertainty; Canadian Supermarket Drops Folgers
On June 10, the JM Smucker Company held their earnings question-and-answer session after releasing earnings for the fourth quarter of their fiscal year ending April 30, 2025. Leaders from JM Smucker cited high coffee price struggles and tariff-related costs in the earnings call while officials running a Canadian supermarket dropped Folgers coffee from their shelves.
On the earnings call, the main topics covered were coffee prices and trade uncertainty due to the US tariff agenda. Days prior, leaders at the Canadian grocery store, Loblaw...
ANALYSIS: Brazil’s May Beef Exports Down 9.7% MoM to 218,066 mt, as US Shipments Drop Nearly 50%
Brazilian beef exports (chilled or frozen) dropped to 218,066 metric tons (mt) in May, according to the latest data released by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services. This is 9.7% lower compared to April’s figure, but still reflected a 2.9% growth YoY.
Shipments to China represented 50.9% of that volume, or 111,030 mt, up 4.1% MoM and 13.4% higher than last year, firmly securing China’s position as the leading destination for Brazilian beef. China’s...
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...
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Shelled Eggs
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to brown cage free eggs and brown certified organic eggs supplied by August Egg Company, Hilmar, CA.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 79 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from seven states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 24, 2025, to May 17, 2025. Twenty-seven of 30 cases with information available reported exposure to eggs or...
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...
Cargill to Invest $90 Million in Fort Morgan Beef Plant in Colorado
Cargill will invest nearly $90 million in automation and advanced technologies at its Fort Morgan beef processing facility in Colorado. The investments comes as part of its Factory of the Future initiative.
This effort aims to improve operational efficiency, increase yield, and enhance safety and inclusivity for employees. Since 2021, Cargill has already invested nearly $24 million in technology upgrades at the Fort Morgan site.
A key innovation being introduced is CarVe, Cargill’s proprietary, patent-pending computer vision...
ANALYSIS: The Butts Are Back, Grilling Season Sparks Price Spike in May
May was marked by a robust rally in pork butt values, propelled by seasonal pulled pork demand, strong export pull, and tightening supply fundamentals. With grilling season well underway and the Fourth of July approaching, sentiments among some market participants remain bullish, particularly as processors and retailers continue to feature this item in promotional rotations and value-added offerings.
¼ trim bone-in butt values averaged $1.46/lb in May, reflecting a full steady to firm tone. This cut experienced a...
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...
ANALYSIS: From Boom to Bottleneck, 10 Years of US-China Beef Trade and What’s Next
After more than a decade of building momentum, US beef exports to China hit a wall in Q2 2025 as tariffs disrupted one of the world’s most dynamic meat trade lanes. The pause in duties since mid-May has since eased tensions, but trade has yet to see signs of reviving.
Over the years, China became US’s third largest key destination for American grain-fed cuts especially offal cuts, prized for their suitability in local cuisine.
While the reprieve is welcome...
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.
US Arrests Chinese Nationals for Allegedly Smuggling Dangerous Fungus in “Agroterrorism” Attempt
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested two citizens of the People’s Republic of China for allegedly smuggling a fungus called Fusarium graminearum, which is a potential agroterrorism weapon, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, are suspected of alleged conspiracy, smuggling goods into the US, false statements, and visa fraud.
The fungus can cause a disease called “head blight” in wheat, barley, maize, and rice, according to US FBI Director, Kash Patel on X.com...
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