ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports Tonnage: Greater Than What Meets the Eye

The turkey export figures were quite a sight to behold throughout the month of February. At 36.4 million pounds, total outward tonnage rose on a year-over-year (YoY) basis for the ninth consecutive month in a row. The most recent data gave way to a notable 46% advance from 2023. This was enough to position February’s closing figure at the highest seasonal level observed since 2021.

Total export value also realized a 20% uptick from the previous year. Although month-over-month (MoM) volume retreated by 0.07%...

USDA Under Secretary Alexis Taylor to Lead Historic Native Nations Agribusiness Trade Mission 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead an historic agribusiness trade mission to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from June 17-20, 2024. This USDA mission will be the first of its kind, specifically highlighting products made and produced by tribal agribusinesses.

USDA is excited the trade mission will highlight the reinvigoration of historic agricultural trade networks amongst Native Nations across the United States and Canada. Participants will be tribal producers with the Made/Produced by American Indians...

ANALYSIS: December Turkey Exports Leave Room For Interpretation

While Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been slow to relinquish its ugly grasp on the turkey industry, December’s ending export figures didn’t deviate too far from the established seasonal course.

As 2023 came to a close, total outbound volume hit 42.1 million pounds. So what does this mean for market participants? Sentiment is highly dependent on one’s vantage point. On one hand, December’s export tally marks a significant 43.1% advance when compared to the year prior. On the opposite hand, it is important to bear in mind that 2022’s sweeping...

Technomic Releases 2024 Global and Canadian Foodservice Trend Predictions

Technomic has released predictions on what will impact the restaurant industry internationally over the next year in its 2024 Global Restaurant Trends Forecast and What's in Store for 2024 in Canada.

"Industry headwinds moderated over the past year, and 2024 promises the hope of a more predictable atmosphere relative to labor, inflation and supply," said Aaron Jourden, director of international research and insights at Technomic. "But international conflicts, extreme weather and the many seen and unseen effects of the pandemic may still create newfound uncertainty that negatively impacts many aspects of...

North 49 Foods Opens New Sow Processing Plant in Moose Jaw

A new pork processing facility in Canada has come online, marking the first time for such an occasion in over a decade. 

North 49 Foods, a division of Thunder Creek Pork, officially opened its federally inspected sow slaughter and processing facility in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in late October. 

The 120,000-square-foot facility was retrofitted from the former JBS/XL Foods beef plant, which was acquired by Donald's Fine Foods in 2019.

Donald's Fine Foods already operates a hog slaughter plant in Moose Jaw that was opened in 2011...

Olymel Continues Consolidation Efforts, Announces Closure of Two Further Processing Plants

On Wednesday, Olymel announced the definitive closure of two of its further processing plants as part of the company's ongoing efforts to streamline its operations and ensure profitability across its facilities. 

Olymel is the leading producer, processor, and distributor of pork and poultry in Canada. It has production and processing facilities in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. 

In its fresh pork sector, Olymel announced the closure of its boning and packaging plant in Princeville, Centre-du-Québec. The facility is slated to close on November...

West Coast Port Workers in Canada to Strike Starting July 1 in Blow to Recovering Supply Chain

After a recent landslide vote of union members, the ILWU Canada has served notice it plans to strike at the country’s West Coast ports starting on July 1. The Canadian Labor Code requires three days’ notice to announce a strike. The notice came on Wednesday.

Over 99% of ILWU Canada union workers critical for West Coast port operations, including in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, voted earlier this month in favor of supporting a strike if a labor deal was not reached. The vote...

Olymel Shutters Hog Production Facilities in Western Canada Due to Financial Losses

Olymel continues to consolidate its hog operations due to steep financial losses and overall uncertainty in the hog and pork markets. On Friday, the company announced the closure of its hog production facilities in Alberta and Saskatchewan, both located in Western Canada.

The latest decision will impact about 80 employees and will result in the closure of five sow units in Alberta along with one sow unit in Saskatchewan.

This reduces Olymel's western sow herd from 57,000 to 40,000 sows in production and will result in a net...