ANALYSIS: EU Pork Exports Ticked Up During September 2025

EU pork exports increased marginally during September, as decreased EU price levels supported EU exporters' competitiveness on the global market. In September, exports of fresh and frozen pork meat, along with total pork exports, including by-products and processed pork, increased compared to August. 

Exports of fresh and frozen pork meat grew strongly by 6.6% month-over-month (MOM) to 152,539 mt, while the overall volume of pork exports increased by 1.0% m-o-m in September to a total of 334,338 mt. Additionally, elevated price levels for alternative proteins such as beef and poultry supported the demand for pork meat on the global markets...

USDA Welcomes Nevada into State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced that Nevada has met USDA’s rigorous "at least equal to" food safety standard and will be joining the State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) Program. Nevada’s participation expands local inspection capacity, food safety oversight, and boosts market access for small and very small processors. This vital partnership builds on USDA’s recently released suite of actions to strengthen the American beef industry.

“We are strengthening the backbone of America’s food system by forging true partnerships with states and empowering local producers,” said Secretary Rollins. “Today’s action builds on our commitment to deliver clear, accountable food safety standards and support small...

ANALYSIS: China’s October 2025 Meat Imports Halt Four-Month Rally, Slump 10% MOM

China’s October 2025 meat imports, variety meats included, came in at about 490,000 metric tons (mt), slumping 9.9% compared to a month ago, according to preliminary data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Inbound tonnage pulled back nearly 55,000 mt, a marked reversal from August’s figures following four straight months of growth.

On an annual basis, imports fell 8.4%. The lingering impact of official alcohol curbs has carried into the second half, with upscale dining and hospitality still struggling to rebound, hindering...

Pork Exports Remain Strong in August; Beef Decline Continues; Lamb Exports Trend Higher

USDA has released August red meat export data, which was delayed due to the lengthy government shutdown. As compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), August data showed a relatively strong performance for U.S. pork exports and an uptick in shipments of U.S. lamb cuts. But beef exports were sharply lower than a year ago, impacted heavily by an impasse with China that has effectively locked U.S. beef out of the world’s largest import market.

August pork exports totaled 236,311 metric tons (mt), down 1% from a year ago, valued at $685.9 million (down 2%)....

USMEF Elects New Officers, Examines Reciprocal Trade Opportunities and USMCA Review

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concluded its Strategic Planning Conference Friday with election of its new officers. Chairing USMEF for the 2025-26 term is Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Company, based in Boise, Idaho. 

Theiler recalled his early days with Agri Beef, when the company came to realize that it could not maximize the value of each head of livestock processed by selling product only in the Pacific Northwest, or even in the entire United States.

Hormel Foods Corporation Announces Leadership Appointment and Provides Business Updates

Leadership Appointment

Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today announced the appointment of Paul Kuehneman as interim chief financial officer and controller, effective October 27, 2025. He will report to Jeff Ettinger, interim chief executive officer, and is accountable for the Company’s accounting, finance, treasury, and internal controls functions.

With more than 30 years of business and finance experience at Hormel Foods, Kuehneman has held a variety of leadership roles, including director of internal audit, vice president and chief financial officer for the Jennie-O Turkey Store, assistant controller, and most...

USMEF Statement on USTR's Announcement of Trade Deals with Southeast Asian Countries

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced agreements on reciprocal trade with Malaysia and Cambodia and frameworks for agreements on reciprocal trade with Thailand and Vietnam.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:

USMEF greatly appreciates USTR’s tireless efforts to address both tariff and non-tariff barriers that have kept the U.S. as a minor supplier of red meat to the ASEAN region. With the U.S. beef industry currently lacking access to China, improved access to Southeast Asia is desperately needed to provide...

European Processor Dawn Meats to Acquire New Zealand Sheep Meat Exporter Alliance

Ireland-based processor Dawn Meats, specialized in red meat, has agreed to acquire 65% of Alliance Group for $250 million.

Alliance is one of the largest exporters of New Zealand sheep meat, but it also exports beef, venison, and others to around 65 countries, DC Advisory, the company advising the acquisition, said. Currently, Dawn Meats exports to around 50 countries, with a turnover of €3 billion, the company said.

The acquisition fits within the company’s growth plans. “A key part of Dawn’s strategic growth plan...

JBS Ships First Beef Cargo to Vietnam

JBS has exported 27 tons of beef to Vietnam, the Brazilian company said. This is the first shipment to the country by JBS. The beef originated from JBS’ Mozarlândia plant, one of the two plants recently authorized for beef exports to Vietnam. The other approved facility was JBS’ Goiânia processing plant.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture Carlos Fávaro earlier this week as part of the prime minister’s visit to Rio de Janeiro for the BRICS Summit. During the visit, the prime minister attended...

Australia and New Zealand Red Meat Sectors React to 10% US Tariff

The US announced a new 10% tariff on Australian and New Zealand meat on Wednesday, April 2, putting an end to the countries' free trade agreement.  

Australia will seek to negotiate to eliminate the tariff, prime minister Anthony Albanese said after the tariff announcement. "We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth," he said. 

Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) and the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) will be part of the negotiations, both organizations said... 

Unlocking Market Opportunities: Key Takeaways From Agri-Food Europe 2025

Held from February 26th to 27th at the Okura Hotel in Amsterdam, Expana’s Agri-Food Europe 2025 brought together key stakeholders from global agrifood markets for two days of learning, collaboration and forward-thinking discussions...

With a timely agenda addressing critical issues such as commodity pricing, where markets are headed and emerging agrifood disruptors, the event served as a key gathering for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. Agri-Food Europe also included market-specific breakouts for categories including animal products, tropical softs, grains, oilseeds, packaging and animal...

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...

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...

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..."

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...

Foreign-Owned Agricultural Land in the US Increases

From 2022 to 2023, there was a 1.58-million-acre increase in foreign-held agricultural land, according to Farm Bureau. In the US, 45.85 million acres of agricultural land were held by foreign investors in 2023, representing 3.61% of total privately held agricultural land, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) report which shows an upward trend of land ownership by foreign entities across the nation. 

Since 2010, reports of foreign-held agricultural land have increased. This expansion is 21 million acres, or an area larger than South Carolina...

Top 10 Stories from 2024 on Expana

It was a big year for the food and agriculture industry. Below are some of the biggest headlines that sent shockwaves through the trade... 

ANALYSIS: US Egg Prices Soar as Production Hits Eight-Year Low Due to HPAI Outbreaks 

May 30, 2024: “Over the past two weeks, U.S. shell egg prices have soared by 45%, largely due to the ongoing spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), more commonly known as bird flu. The bird flu has been spreading across the US since February 2022—though not consistently..."

Billions in Aid Approved for US Farmers

As a government shutdown loomed, the US Congress passed spending legislation named the American Relief Act which was signed by President Biden on December 21, 2024. For agriculture and food-related commodities, this legislation contains one-time economic assistance payments, disaster relief payments, as well as partial funding from the rolled-over farm bill.

Part of the funding approved was $10 billion to support some American farmers across the nation. Within 90 days, economic assistance payments will only be dealt to farmers of eligible commodities like corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, canola, mustard...

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...

FDA Updates “Healthy” Food Definition for US Food Products

Officials from the FDA updated the organization’s definition of the word “healthy,” according to an FDA constituent update. 

A food product’s packaging can bear the word “healthy” if the food adheres to specified limits for saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars. Additionally, “healthy” food contains “at least one of the food groups or subgroups (such as fruits, vegetables, fat-free and low-fat dairy, etc.) recommended by the Dietary Guidelines,” according to the FDA’s new definition. 

For example, a “healthy” grain product should not contain more than 5% saturated fat...