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Foot-and-Mouth Disease Restrictions for Animal Commodities Originating from or Transiting Cyprus
Effective January 23, 2026, and until further notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) is restricting the importation of certain animal commodities originating from or transiting the region of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus exercises effective control (hereafter referred to as “Cyprus”) based on the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in domestic cattle and sheep.
The regions on the island of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control are not...
Australian Beef Exempt from US’s Latest 15% Tariff - MLA
Australian beef will remain exempt from a new 15 percent baseline tariff announced by the United States (US) government, while sheepmeat and goatmeat will face higher duties, according to a press release by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) on Monday.
In a statement, Managing Director Michael Crowley said MLA is aware of the US decision to introduce the tariff on all imports. He noted that Australian beef will maintain a 0% tariff following the announcement made in November 2025.
However, Australian sheepmeat and goatmeat will see tariffs increase to 15% from 10%...
Ambassador Greer Issues Statement on President Trump Announcing a Trade Deal with Indonesia
Today [February 19, 2026], Ambassador Greer issued a statement following President Trump’s announcement of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with Indonesia, expanding Americans’ market access to the world’s fourth most populous country while eliminating tariff barriers on over 99% of U.S. products exported to Indonesia across all sectors.
“President Trump is unlocking Indonesia’s market of over 280 million people to create commercially meaningful opportunities for American farmers and manufacturers,” said Ambassador Greer. “This landmark Agreement breaks down trade barriers while advancing the economic and national security interests of...
USMEF Statement on US-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced on Feb. 19 an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade between the United States and Indonesia. As detailed here, the agreement includes tremendous market access gains for U.S. red meat.
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:
Indonesia has been a leading priority for the U.S. red meat industry throughout recent negotiations on reciprocal trade. Especially without access to China, the U.S. beef industry needs to be able to serve the Indonesian market, which...
US Pork Secures Taiwan Access After Decades-long Effort
In a key win for U.S. pork producers, President Trump has finalized a beneficial trade agreement with Taiwan, a direct result of the National Pork Producers Council’s long-fought effort to secure greater market access in the Asian nation.
“Our 15-plus year endeavor to break down trade barriers in the high-value market of Taiwan has paid off. This means more U.S. pork on international tables and more opportunities and prosperity for American producers,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “Thank you, President Trump and Ambassadors Greer and Callahan, for ensuring American pork producers were included in...
bb.q Chicken Deploys Deliverect to Modernize Digital Operations Across All US Locations
bb.q Chicken, one of the fastest-growing Korean fried chicken franchises in the United States, announced today the successful rollout of Deliverect's digital ordering integration and menu management platform across more than 250 US locations.
By connecting its online ordering channels through Deliverect, the brand has streamlined menu updates and order flow across its restaurants, reducing operational complexity and improving efficiency and profitability.
With multi-channel delivery rapidly expanding in the US, this deployment enables bb.q Chicken to scale seamlessly while maintaining high operational standards...
Expana's Weekly Top 10: Key Market Drivers from Trade Developments to Seasonal Trends
From major trade developments and tariff shifts to supply chain warnings and seasonal demand trends, Expana’s top ten stories this week capture the forces shaping global commodity and trade markets. This roundup highlights the most impactful moves, from US trade diplomacy and USMCA advocacy to Valentine’s Day price dynamics. In no particular order:
10.Turkish glass company Sisecam has started commissioning its first European glass packaging facility in Kaposvár, Hungary, with the first furnace set to begin test production. The facility...
Valentine’s Day Dining Trends Show Shift Beyond Romance According to OpenTable
Restaurants are gearing up for the next major dining holiday: Valentine’s Day.
According to global restaurant tech company OpenTable, this year the industry continues to see a shift as consumers celebrate more than just romantic relationships. From friendships to family and self-love, Valentine’s Day is becoming more inclusive, and restaurants are at the center of it.
"Gen-Z is leading the charge in making Valentine's Day more inclusive," said Cheryl Paniagua, VP of Restaurant Sales & Services at OpenTable.
The data shows that 60%...
Retailer Expansion Offers New Opportunities for US Beef in Taiwan
USMEF partnered with Taiwanese importer Yu-Ho Foods on a retail seminar about U.S. beef for Yu-Ho and its retail customer PX Mart. The retailer, already Taiwan’s largest supermarket chain with 1,200 outlets, had recently purchased a 20-outlet hypermart chain and expressed interest to Yu-Ho in seeing a wider range of U.S. beef items to consider for both chains.
USMEF conducted a technical seminar for the fresh foods department staff of PX Mart and Yu-Ho Foods at Yu-Ho’s headquarters. The first half of the seminar included an industry overview about U.S. production, grading standards and the quality...
Lamb Weston Shutters One Plant, Defers to New Production in Argentina; North American Sales Flat
As of January 8, Lamb Weston will close one potato processing facility in Munro to consolidate into its newest facility in Mar del Plata, Argentina, according to a press release from the group that supplies some of the world's largest fast-food chains. While the company realizes most of its profits in North America, officials say other markets like Argentina are growing quickly.
“These actions are part of our broader strategy to improve profitability and enhance operational efficiency across our global manufacturing network..."
ANALYSIS: Early December US Beef Imports from Mexico Higher
US beef imports from Mexico remained active into year end, even as Mexican export prices continued to move higher amid limited production availability, increased production costs, and ongoing protocols related to New World Screwworm controls. Despite the incremental price environment for Mexican material, import volumes remained firm as US buyers focused on maintaining product availability for year-end needs.
USTR Sets Phased Tariffs on Non-Compliant Imports from Nicaragua; Beef and Seafood Affected?
The office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) will impose phased tariffs on Nicaraguan goods that do not meet the standards for the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), following a Section 301 determination that Nicaragua’s acts and policies on labor rights, human rights, and the rule of law are unreasonable and burden or restrict US commerce, according to a press release...
Vietnam’s THACO, U.S. Fresh Del Monte Sign 10-year Banana Supply Deal
U.S. food group Fresh Del Monte has signed a 10-year banana supply deal with the Vietnamese firm Truong Hai Group Corporation (THACO), the companies announced.
Fresh Del Monte has agreed to buy 71,500 tons of bananas in 2026, or around 15% of THACO’s expected output, the company said. Under the agreement, the traded volume would rise over the 10-year term.
Fresh Del Monte plans to export THACO Bananas to Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and later the Middle East, it said...
ANALYSIS: The Evolving US Tariff Landscape and Implications for Brazilian Beef
Recent tariff policy changes in the US reshaped market conditions for Brazilian beef suppliers. Earlier in the year, Brazil had faced a sharp slowdown in beef exports to the US after reciprocal tariffs were introduced. In the latest policy changes last week, the US announced new reciprocal trade frameworks across Central and South America and selected Asian markets. Initially, Brazil remained subject to the separate 40% additional tariff, which was also lifted later in the week, fully aligning Brazil with the new tariff-free conditions.
Brazilian fresh beef exports...
NCBA Supports Legislation to Expand Local Beef Sales
Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced continued support for the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act. This legislation introduced by Sens. Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) would increase marketing opportunities for smaller meat processors and give consumers more options to buy local beef.
“The cattle business benefits greatly from expanding marketing opportunities, and the DIRECT Act opens the door to the growing number of cattle producers who seek to grow their market across state lines,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein. “The increased market exposure...
Ranchers Support Steve Pearce's Nomination to Lead BLM
Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) announced support for President Trump’s nomination of former Congressman Steve Pearce to serve as Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
“Having represented New Mexico in Congress and the State House for decades, former Rep. Steve Pearce understands the important role that public lands play across the West. Pearce’s experience makes him thoroughly qualified to lead the BLM and tackle the issues federal lands ranchers are facing,” said NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana’s Weekly Rundown #32
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 #32."
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.
...
This week, the US administration has continued to pressure trading partners like India to curb imports of Russian oil as to sanction the country during its war with Ukraine, cited Expana...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #28
Click to read: "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #28."
On Tuesday in New York, US President Trump gave remarks to the United Nations General Assembly, via the White House live stream...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #27
Click to read: "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #27."
US tariff revenue may be used to fund the nation’s farmers, reported Reuters about an interview between Agriculture Secretary Rollins and the Financial Times...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #25
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #25."
In the States, a federal appeals court ruled that US President Trump’s use of global tariffs exceeded presidential authority, but they remain active until at least October 14, 2025...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #24
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #24."
On August 22, Canadian Prime Minister Carney dropped most retaliatory tariffs on US products, beginning September 1, reported Expana in an article that suggested the move may help soothe trade relations...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #20
Click to read: "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #20."
As of July 27, the United States and the European Union reached a trade agreement: The US will charge a 15% tariff on all imports across-the-board from the coalition of countries...
The New "Coke of America”?
Call it bipartisan, call it good taste... US President Donald Trump’s latest truth may be exciting nostalgic beverage enthusiasts from left, to center, and right. The President is calling for cane sugar in US Coke cans and bottles going forward.
“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” wrote Trump. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #17
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #17."
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...
This week, reciprocal tariffs were re-announced in the form of letters from the US Trump administration to trading partners who could not reach a trade deal within the previously granted 90-day pause...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #16
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #16."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #14
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #14."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #13
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #13."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #12
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #12."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #10
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #10."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #9
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #9."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4."
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #3
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #3."
FEATURED STORIES
ANALYSIS: US Lamb Weights Running Lighter Compared With Recent Years
ANALYSIS: A Month After the New Food Pyramid, Has US Beef Purchasing Shifted?
ANALYSIS: Argentina’s Fresh Beef Exports Down 7.6% in January 2026 to 52,413 mt, 12.2% Higher YOY
ANALYSIS: US Boneless Beef Cold Storage Stocks Post Steady Figure January 2026 MOM
ANALYSIS: 2025 Turkey Exports Second Lowest in 25 Years as Production Tightens