Campbell’s and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Announce Partnership 

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) and Campbell Soup Company (NASDAQ:CPB) (Campbell’s) today announced a unique marketing partnership spanning four storied sports franchises across several of the world’s biggest leagues.

Campbell’s will serve as an official partner to the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), the Washington Commanders (NFL), New Jersey Devils (NHL), Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and Joe Gibbs Racing (NASCAR). The multi-year partnership will enable fans to connect and engage with Campbell’s leading portfolio of brands through unique activations and authentic offerings in prominent sports and entertainment markets...

ANALYSIS: Breaking out the Chicken Production Roadmap

From a seasonal shift in buyer outreach, to heavy live weights, and even hurricanes, there is no shortage of variables which are keeping chicken market participants on their toes here in mid-October.

Given the volatile and somewhat unpredictable nature of the market lately, players are finding that historic seasonality isn’t always the best indicator of the road that lies ahead. This scenario has prompted some participants to break out the production “roadmap” in an attempt to hone their expectations for the future. Perhaps one of the best indicators at...

Walmart Sets the Table Early With a Thanksgiving Meal for Less Than $7 per Person

Today Walmart officially launched its holiday meal, bringing customers incredible savings on mealtime favorites, earlier and at an even lower price than last year. And to help spread more joy during the season of giving, Walmart is offering customers the opportunity to gift a meal directly to loved ones anywhere in the country and, new this year, donate an entire meal to their local Salvation Army unit.

As food prices remain top of mind, more customers want to begin saving earlier...

Check Out The Super-EST Market In Town: Lidl Relaunches Brand In The US

Grocery shopping... as just another errand? Couldn't be us!

Buckle up, because Lidl US is here to take your tastebuds on a joyride through the aisles, offering the highest quality products at the lowest prices.

Introducing The Super-EST Market

We're putting the "super" in supermarket (make that The Super-EST Market) by delivering a curated collection of private label picks, global imports, and everyday name brands. With 170+ stores woven through neighborhoods across nine East Coast states and Washington, D.C...

ALDI Commits to Thanksgiving Prices Lower Than 2019, Feeding 10 People for Less than $47

This holiday season, ALDI is offering its lowest-priced Thanksgiving basket in five years – a full meal for 10 people at less than $47.* With reports showing grocery prices are up 50% across the industry on hundreds of items compared to 2019,** shoppers will get welcome relief at ALDI on their favorite Thanksgiving fixings.

Throughout the Thanksgiving season, holiday hosts can shop ALDI for all the fresh ingredients and award-winning products they need to assemble...

NCC Elects New Officers; Peco Foods’ Bill Griffith Installed as Chairman

The National Chicken Council (NCC) has installed the four officers that will guide the organization through 2025. The installation took place at NCC’s 69th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Bill Griffith, Chief Operations Officer at Peco Foods, will serve as 2024-2025 Chairman.

Bill has more than 25 years of management experience in the food industry and is known for his strong reputation for innovation, sustainability and quality...

ANALYSIS: Turkeys Stuck at Home, Exports Drop in August

On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, total turkey export volumes were down -10% in August, while total export values were up 4%. These numbers could suggest a combination of a few factors. First, export buyers may have been buying less overall production, but the production they were purchasing may have been of a higher value than the previous year.Second, in the case of Mexico, an average YoY increase in the strength of the Mexican peso to the U.S. dollar may have supported Mexican buyers. Last, but certainly not less...

Wakefern Food Corp. Acquires Di Bruno Bros. Portfolio of Branded Products

Wakefern Food Corp. today announced the acquisition of the Di Bruno Bros. portfolio of specialty products that are currently distributed nationally to wholesale and retail customers.

A pioneering specialty food retailer and purveyor of gourmet cheeses and cured meats in the Philadelphia area since 1939, Di Bruno Bros. was also one of the first specialty grocers online when it began selling its products nationwide in 1998.

The five Di Bruno Bros. retail locations and a bottle shop in Philadelphia were recently acquired by DB Gourmet Markets...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Export Volumes in August

Total chicken exports were up 3.5% from July to August, compared to a 5-year average month-over-month (MoM) change of 4.6%. Of the twenty countries listed in the USDA’s monthly import/export report, thirteen of them had increased MoM export volumes in August, but only seven of them were up year-over-year (YoY). This aligns with the year-long trend of lower export volumes in which the current year-to-date (YTD) value of 4.4 billion lbs. is -8.6% lower YoY and is...

Fire at Aviagen's Hatchery in Paraná, Brazil

On 12 October, a fire broke out at Aviagen's breeder production hatchery in Carambeí, Paraná. An official statement from Aviagen América Latina, shared with Expana, confirmed that the damages were only material, with all staff members reported safe.

Local media reported that the fire spread across various sections of the facility, prompting the involvement of military firefighters to support the local firefighting efforts due to the severity of the situation.

Aviagen is a global supplier of broiler breeder stock. The unit in Carambeí was reported as important for the supply of chicks to...

Butterball® Unveils a Stress-Free Solution for Holiday Hosts: Cook from Frozen Premium Whole Turkey

Today, Butterball, LLC introduced the Butterball Cook from Frozen Premium Whole Turkey, an innovative offering for seasoned and novice Thanksgiving hosts alike. Created with convenience in mind, the new Cook from Frozen turkey requires just two easy steps: unwrap and roast. There's no thawing, no mess and no stress, resulting in an effortless Thanksgiving centerpiece.

The most popular questions received by the Butterball® Turkey Talk-Line® are consistently about how and when to thaw a turkey...

Perdue Champions New Standards For "Pasture-Raised" Labeling at Ninth Annual Animal Care Summit

The new labeling guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture redefines "pasture-raised" as chickens that spend the majority of their lives physically on pasture

Perdue Farms, a leader in animal care, no-antibiotics-ever and innovative regenerative farming practices, is setting a new standard for transparency in the poultry industry with its successful petition for a more accurate guideline to the "pasture-raised" label. Perdue's pioneering raising models, which align with the new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines...

First DORITOS® Restaurant Elevates Late-Night Favorites at Crypto.com Arena

Today, DORITOS® introduces a new bold culinary experience for Crypto.com Arena ticket holders who seek the unexpected by opening a Doritos After Dark™ restaurant at the iconic sports and live events arena. Offering everything from spicy appetizers to bold entrees and sweet desserts, the restaurant elevates all dishes with the undeniable flavor and crunch of Doritos chips, inviting fans to feed their late-night curiosity.

"Taking cues from our consumers, we are enabling people to experience their favorite brands from Frito-Lay....

ANALYSIS: Upward-Trending Turkey Drum Quotations

Quotations for domestic East coast frozen tom drums were established in January of 1989. Since then, there have only been four years in which the quotations have not retreated from the first of the year to the current date. These years were 2011, 2013, 2018, and 2024.

None of these years have boasted a record-high seasonal quotation at any point of the year, and they don't have the most dramatic increases from the first of the year to the current week. In fact, only...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Cold Storage Holdings in August

Despite a slight retreat in demand for several domestic lines during August, frozen inventory remained well below last year’s level, fueled in part by an active call from the export arena. Now, in October, these factors are starting to resurface and play a major role in current market dynamics. Total chicken in frozen inventory was down -9.0% year-over-year (YoY), which positions August’s inventory at the third lowest seasonal level over the past ten years. All individual categories, with the exceptions of drums and paws, were also down on a YoY basis...

How a Port Strike Could Ripple Through the Ag Sector

The port strike has entered its third day and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has signaled that they are willing to resume negotiations with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), but without preconditions made by the union. 

In an update provided Wednesday, USMX stated: "Reaching an agreement will require negotiating – and our full focus is on how to return to the table to further discuss these vital components, many of which are intertwined. We cannot agree to preconditions to return to bargaining – but we remain committed to bargaining in good...

Live Updates: Key Developments in the East and Gulf Coast Port Strike

October 3: The port strike has entered its third day and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) signaled that they are willing to resume negotiations with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), but without preconditions made by the union. 

In an update provided Wednesday, USMX stated: "Reaching an agreement will require negotiating – and our full focus is on how to return to the table to further discuss these vital components, many of which are intertwined. We cannot agree to preconditions...

ANALYSIS: Mexico’s Livestock Trade Deficit Persists Amid Volatile USD:MXD

The Grupo Consultor de Mercados Agrícolas (GCMA) reported that Mexico's livestock trade balance remains in deficit, driven by increasing domestic prices that spurred record beef and pork imports. Between January and July 2024, meat imports totaled 1.67 million tonnes, a 6.3% increase from the same period in 2023.

Homero García de la Llata, president of Mexicos National Confederation of Livestock Organizations (CNOG), pointed out that several problems and weaknesses are affecting livestock farming in Mexico. These include low productivity, limited financing, and a lack of innovation and technology....

ANALYSIS: Whole Turkey Quotations From the Start of Q4 to Thanksgiving

Five-year average trends show that quotations for fresh and frozen whole-body turkeys have historically increased by minute amounts between the outset of October through Thanksgiving, regardless of sizing. By the time that the fourth quarter arrives, most whole turkeys for the holidays are already spoken. Still, there are usually buyers who opt to stock up during the weeks immediately preceding Thanksgiving. This is especially true of fresh offerings as evident by the 5-year average quotation change of 0.36% and 0.96% for fresh hens... 

The Retail Rundown: Onwards to October

With October nearing, the shift in retail meat features from grilling cuts to roasts is picking up pace. More households are utilizing their ovens and crockpots, making it prime time for hearty ingredients like chuck roasts and pork shoulders.

Still, warmer weather lingers in some regions. For those with favorable grilling conditions, shoppers may find deals on items like steaks, ribs, and pork chops as retailers work to move any extra inventory. 

This week’s retail buying opportunities show seafood continuing to lead, making up 26.9% of protein advertisements, followed by pork at 24.7%, beef at 21.2%...

Hormel Foods Elects New Member to its Board of Directors

Hormel Foods Corporation, a Fortune 500 global branded food company, announced today that Debbra Schoneman, president of Piper Sandler Companies, has been elected to the Hormel Foods Board of Directors, effective September 21, 2024.

“I am delighted to welcome Deb to the Hormel Foods board,” said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Hormel Foods. “She has an impressive background and brings extensive expertise in finance and corporate development, which will be invaluable as we continue to transform, modernize and grow our...

O’Charley’s Rolls Out the Red Carpet with New V.I.P. Menu and Expanded Core Menu Featuring Prime Rib

O’Charley’s Restaurant + Bar is excited to announce the launch of its new Value Inspired Plates (V.I.P.) menu on September 23. With 15 budget-friendly items all priced at $12.99 and under, guests can enjoy incredible flavors and great value without breaking the bank. Who says being a V.I.P. has to come with a big price tag?

As a V.I.P., you’re invited to indulge in a variety of delicious dishes that deliver both value and flavor...

Laoban Doubles Retail Footprint, Expanding Into Major Conventional Retailers

Laoban, the Asian frozen food brand known for using high-quality ingredients to make mouth-watering dumplings and bao buns, has doubled its retail distribution by adding 6,000 points of distribution.

In the past month alone, Laoban launched its dumpling line in thousands of Walmart and Kroger stores. The company also increased the distribution of its new Bao Bun, now available at Sprouts nationwide. Beginning next month, one Bao Bun flavor will also be available at over 200 Target locations across the country. Laoban will also release another exclusive product...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Production Outlook for Q4

The USDA is forecasting a year-over-year (YoY) decrease in beef and turkey production for Q4 of this year and a YoY increase in production of pork and chicken. Ready-to-cook (RTC) broiler production is expected to increase by 3.57% YoY. Beginning ten weeks prior to the outset of Q4 to the most current data, egg sets have been up by 2.62% to 5.04%. Increases in broiler chick placements from the middle of August, seven weeks prior to the start of Q4, are slightly less dramatic with values ranging

Cracker Barrel Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 ended August 2, 2024. In 2024, the fourth quarter and fiscal year included an additional operating week ("53rd week") compared to fiscal 2023.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Highlights

• The Company reported total revenue of $894.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, representing an increase of 6.9% compared to prior year quarter total revenue of $836.7 million 
• Total revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 includes...

JBS USA and GreenGasUSA Partner to Transform Renewable Natural Gas Production

JBS USA, a leading global food producer, and GreenGasUSA today announced a new partnership to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) at multiple JBS beef and poultry processing facilities across the U.S.

Climate change and food security are two seemingly competing challenges — feeding a future world of 10 billion people with safe, nutritious, affordable food while also urgently helping the food system address environmental impacts and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

JBS believes it has a responsibility to help lead sustainable transformation by example and, as a result...

The Wendy's Company Announces Executive Leadership Appointments

The Wendy's Company announced today the appointment of John Min as the Company's Chief Legal Officer and Secretary and Mary Greenlee as Senior Vice President, U.S. Operations, effective today. These appointments represent the continued evolution of the Company's leadership structure to drive accountability and accelerate growth. Min will report to President and Chief Executive Officer, Kirk Tanner, and Greenlee will report to President, U.S., Abigail Pringle. Min succeeds E.J. Wunsch, who was appointed as Wendy's President, International in June 2024.

"I'm pleased to welcome John and Mary to the Wendy's team...

Red Lobster Emerges from Bankruptcy, Officially Names New CEO

Red Lobster has closed the book on its bankruptcy and enters a new era with a new captain at the helm.

The seafood restaurant chain announced its exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the completion of its acquisition by RL Investor Holdings LLC. The firm also officially announced Damola Adamolekun as its new CEO.

Earlier this month, a federal court approved Red Lobster’s bankruptcy plan, paving the way for RL Investor Holdings to snatch up the company and keep its over 500 locations in operation, along with the...

After Unfulfilling FSIS Public Meetings and Mounting Unanswered Questions, NCC Requests more Time 

As a result of recent unfulfilling public meetings and a growing series of unanswered questions, the National Chicken Council (NCC) today requested an additional 90-day extension to the comment period for FSIS’ proposed Salmonella Framework in order to properly analyze the proposal and provide meaningful comments.

NCC was very pleased when the Agency announced in its Constituent Update two webinars “to share information about the science behind its Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products proposed rule and determination to reduce Salmonella illnesses linked to raw poultry...

ANALYSIS: A Deep Dive into Chicken Export Volume for July

July chicken export volumes were down -2.0% from June, which is a period in which the 5-year average change is an increase of 1.1%. Despite this, the amount of chicken moved to Mexico, the Philippines,and Taiwan, the first, second, and fourth top importers of U.S. chicken respectively, were up by 15.6%, 47.3%, and 28.4%. Conversely, the volumes sold to the third and fifth top importers of U.S. chicken, Cuba and Canada, were down by -7.5% and -16.0%, respectively.

The 5-year average month-over-month (MoM)...

Papa Johns Announces PepsiCo as its Beverage Partner in North America

Today, Papa John's International, Inc. announced its selection of PepsiCo as its exclusive beverage supplier for restaurants in North America through a 10-year contract renewal. The extension of this partnership showcases the brand's ongoing commitment to deliver exceptional value to its customers and franchise partners by offering quality products that customers expect.

The partnership will also underscore the brand's strategy by supporting Papa Johns marketing efforts through additional investment from Pepsi, while also encouraging North American development expansion through incentives to drive new store growth...

USDA Releases Updated Guideline to Strengthen Substantiation 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the availability of an updated guideline that makes recommendations to strengthen the documentation that supports animal-raising or environment-related claims on meat or poultry product labeling. Today’s action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels and to implement President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy.

“USDA continues to deliver on its commitment to fairness and choice for both farmers and consumers, and that means supporting transparency and high-quality standards...