HHS Allows FDA Emergency Use of Animal Drugs to Combat New World Screwworm

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a declaration allowing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for drugs used to treat or prevent infestations caused by New World Screwworm in animals.

"Today we are taking decisive action to safeguard the nation’s food supply from this emerging threat,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “This authorization equips FDA to act quickly, limit the spread of New World Screwworm, and protect America’s...

UNFI Warehouse Workers Win Big with New Teamsters Contract

More than 300 warehouse workers at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) have ratified a new five-year contract.

The new agreement was overwhelmingly supported by workers and includes wage increases of up to $8 per hour, along with Teamsters health care coverage and participation in the Teamsters Western Conference Pension Plan.

"This contract is exactly why we joined the Teamsters," said Charles Dowling, a warehouse worker and member of Local 79. "We fought hard for the pay, benefits, and protections we...

Popeyes Re-introduces its Wings Lineup

Officially in restaurants nationwide today, Popeyes® is re-introducing their wings lineup, now with a new mild marinated base on their bone- mild or spicy!

Popeyes new wings lineup spotlights their three bestselling sauce flavors: Signature Hot, Sweet 'N Spicy and Honey BBQ, as well as four all-new dry rubs: Ghost Pepper, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parm, and Buffalo all featured on a mild marinated based wing.

• Mild Base on All Bone-In Wings: Now every bone-in wing starts with our mild marinated base – featuring a savory...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Tests as Prices Converge with Conventional

After several weeks of sharp declines, the cage-free market found its footing this week, holding steady for multiple days and marking a sharp reversal in pace. The rest-of-market cage-free quotation sits at $2.69/dozen and, for the first time since its introduction in 2024, has fully converged with the conventional Midwest large quote. The narrowing spread between the two markets has become a defining factor for both cage-free availability and subsequent trade values.

With the spread gone, cage-free suppliers are increasingly diverting product...

ANALYSIS:US Pork Exports Show Resilience Amid Mixed Global Demand in June

US pork exports totaled 527,555 K lbs in June 2025, up 7.0% year-over-year (YOY) but down 2.3% month-over-month (MOM) from May’s 564,626 K lbs, according to USDA data. Through the first half of 2025, exports reached 3.22 billion lbs, 4% below the same period in 2024.

Mexico remained as the leading growth contributor, importing 226,552 K lbs in June, up 22.4 % YOY and 5.2 % MOM. Ongoing active demand domestically for pork items in Mexico, along with free trade agreement...

Trump Says Immigration Plan Will Balance Farm Labor Needs and Border Security

US President Donald Trump said he is crafting an immigration plan aimed at bridging the gap between American farmers who rely on immigrant labor and advocates for stricter border policies—a balancing act that has taken center stage amid recent enforcement actions disrupting agricultural operations nationwide.

"The farmers want to have people who can work very hard in the field, and the other people don't want to have anybody from outside of our country. And I am working on a plan that I think is going to make...

ANALYSIS: Tight Supply Drives Lamb Values

The Australian lamb market is in an unsettled phase, with the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Heavy Lamb Indicator, a benchmark price for heavy lambs based on national saleyard transactions, reaching a record 1,246 ¢/kg cwt, up 12% over the past month.

Although domestic and export demand is active, the main driver is processor pressure. Barely adequate-to-tight supplies have processors competing to secure lambs, raising prices even into unprofitable territory. Some Australian participants have noted that some plants are running shorter production weeks, and some...

ANALYSIS: US 2025 Cash Cattle Surge, Margins Collapse, and Slaughter Hits Record Lows

August has been a month of records: record-high cash cattle prices, record-low margins, and record-low weekly cattle slaughter. According to the USDA Five Area Direct Cattle Data, Live Steer Price, cash cattle are currently $241.00/cwt, about 25% higher than at this time in 2024. Several factors are driving these historic prices. US cattle inventories are tight, the lowest since 1951 according to the USDA, and outside pressures, such as tariffs on imported beef and a...

Red Robin Reports Results for the Second Quarter

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a full-service restaurant chain serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers in a family-friendly atmosphere, today reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended July 13, 2025.

Highlights for the Fiscal Second Quarter of 2025, Compared to the Fiscal Second Quarter of 2024:

• Total revenues are $283.7 million, a decrease of $16.5 million.
• Comparable restaurant revenue(1) decreased 3.2%, including recognition of deferred loyalty revenue. Excluding deferred loyalty revenue, comparable restaurant revenue(1) decreased 1.3%...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #22

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 #22."

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.

...

The timeline for tariff negotiations between the US and China trade teams has been extended for another 90 days—moving the deadline to November 10, according to a White House fact sheet...

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...

JBS Invests $100 Million in New RTE Bacon and Sausage Facility 

JBS USA has announced plans to expand its operations in Ankeny, Iowa, by opening the largest ready-to-eat bacon and sausage facility in its portfolio.

The company has agreed to purchase a 186,000-square-foot production facility formerly owned by Hy-Vee. JBS intends to convert the space into a fully cooked bacon and sausage production plant and is looking to hire former Hy-Vee staff for the new operation.

"Today’s announcement aligns with our long-term strategy of...

Amazon Launches Same-Day Perishable Grocery Delivery in Over 1,000 Cities

Amazon is set to make one of its largest-ever grocery expansions, bringing same-day delivery of fresh and perishable food items to customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns, starting August 13.

Shoppers can now order produce, dairy, meat, seafood and other essentials for rapid delivery, with plans to reach over 2,300 communities by the end of 2025.

“Customers are looking to make their budgets stretch further, and that’s why Amazon is focused on offering a wide selection of national and local brands, including organic and natural options...

Performance Food Group Reports Strong Sales and Profit Growth Despite Decline in Net Income 

One of the largest distributors in foodservice, Performance Food Group, has announced results from its fourth quarter and fiscal year.

Quarterly Highlights

The company saw case volume increase by 11.9%. Independent Foodservice case volume rose 20.4%, while Organic Independent Foodservice case volume increased 5.9%.

Net sales were $16.9 billion, rising 11.5% for the period. Gross profit for the quarter grew 14.6% to $2 billion. This growth in sales and profit can be attributed to recent acquisitions, including that...

The Retail Rundown: Beef Tops Retail Ads as Grocers Prepare for Labor Day

With Labor Day just under three weeks away, grocers are preparing for summer’s last big grilling rush. Most holiday orders have already been locked in, and meat and prepared food departments are expected to see strong traffic as shoppers savor the last days of summer.

Beef has overtaken seafood as the most advertised protein this week, representing 27.0% of retail buying opportunities. Pork is close behind at 26.6%, while seafood has eased to 23.3%. Chicken remains steady at 18%, and turkey ads inched up to 3%...

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...

NCBA Notches Legal Victory Protecting Cattle Producers from Overreaching Emissions Regulations

Last week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) notched a legal victory in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia affirming protections for cattle farmers and ranchers from onerous and unnecessary air emissions reporting requirements. NCBA, along with a coalition of other livestock and farm groups, has engaged in this litigation for years to ensure that family farmers and ranchers were not forced to file complex, overreaching reports with the federal government about emissions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Comprehensive...

Smithfield Foods Reports Strong Q2 Growth and Increased Profitability

Smithfield Foods, an industry leader in packaged meats and fresh pork, has reported another successful quarter, highlighting its continued growth and operational efficiency.

Following a strong first quarter, Smithfield announced in June a strategic initiative to streamline operations and reduce costs. This included relocating over 100 corporate jobs to Hampton Roads and the planned closure of two regional offices in Illinois and Missouri. 

"Our strong second quarter results demonstrate the agility and resilience of our business as we navigate a dynamic macroeconomic environment. Through our iconic and diversified brand portfolio...

ANALYSIS: FSIS July 2025 Boneless Beef Shipments to the US Slow Amid Tariff Uncertainty

During the month of July, 69,285 metric tons (mt) of boneless beef were passed for entry into the US, which is a decline of 12,000 metric tons from June (-14.7%). Overseas purchasing slowed at the beginning of summer as importers worked to understand a changing tariff landscape. In many instances, participants were strategic about dates to be compliant to achieve the lowest tariff possible.

Three major origins, Brazil, New Zealand, and Uruguay all encountered volume declines. Brazil...

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...

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...

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...