Submit comment or question
Note: All comments are displayed with user's screen name. If screen name is not present, user's full name will be used. Please go to My Account to update your screen name.
Comment Policy: Urner Barry has made the comment feature available to encourage further discussion of our news stories. Defamatory or offensive comments, or comments deemed not relevant to the story will be removed, and if necessary, Urner Barry may restrict the right of individual subscribers to offer comments. In all cases, comments represent opinions of the poster only, and do not represent fact, news, opinions or estimates put forward by Urner Barry.
Email Address is required. Password is required.
Taco Bell Builds on Crispy Chicken Momentum with New Strip-Based Lineup
After the sell-out success of its tortilla-coated Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell is expanding into strips, the next phase in what’s shaping up to be a full-fledged crispy chicken platform.
Starting June 17, the brand debuts Crispy Chicken Strips across tacos and burritos. Made with all-white meat chicken, the strips are marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk and breaded in a blend of tortilla chips and breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Each build is layered with shredded cheddar, pico de...
The Retail Rundown: Seafood Leads Father’s Day Protein Promotions; CPI Shows Mild Increase
For Father’s Day weekend, seafood leads retail protein promotions, accounting for 28% of total ad volume. Beef follows at 24.8%, with pork close behind at 23.6%. Chicken claims 19% of protein ads, while turkey makes up about 3%.
Egg features remain limited for now but are on track to gain ground next week amid improving retail demand. While egg consumption typically slows around this time of year due to reduced baking and fewer hot breakfasts, eggs are emerging as one of the few proteins seeing price relief at retail—standing out amid peak seasonal...
Mexico Relaxes Brazilian Poultry Ban, But Mauritania, Oman Expand It
Mexico, along with 46 other countries, initially banned all poultry imports from Brazil after the South American country confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a commercial farm on May 15. Mexico has now relaxed the countrywide ban to just exports from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where the outbreak was detected.
In contrast, Mauritania has banned all imports of chicken meat from all of Brazil, and Oman from Rio Grande do Sul.
Brazil has been advocating for countries to limit the ban...
Brazil Confirms New HPAI Outbreak in Backyard Poultry
On Saturday, June 7, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock confirmed the detection of bird flu in a backyard flock from the municipality of Campinápolis, in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil.
The Official Veterinary Service closed the property and collected samples for laboratory analysis, which confirmed the outbreak. This marks the fourth case of avian influenza detected in backyard poultry in Brazil.
On Sunday, June 8, eradication measures and surveillance actions began within a 10 km radius of the outbreak...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #12
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 #12."
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...
ANALYSIS: Chicken Hatch Remains on YOY Upswing
In the chicken market, persistent uncertainty around disease risk, pockets of seasonally atypical market movement, and global trade tension continue to complicate forward-looking strategies for buyers and sellers alike. This environment is pushing stakeholders to seek clearer signals amid the noise. In that regard, hatchery performance is one of the few guiding lights in an otherwise volatile market landscape.
According to the latest USDA hatchery figures, both eggs set and chicks placed continue to post steady year-over-year (YOY) gains. Egg sets for the week ending May 31 reached...
KFC Relaunches $7 Fill Ups Nationwide, Partners with F1® THE MOVIE for Summer Campaign
KFC is bringing back its popular $7 Fill Ups, offering four complete meal options at a strong value price point. The return aligns with a nationwide marketing partnership with F1® THE MOVIE, positioning KFC as a go-to stop for quick, satisfying meals this summer.
$7 Fill Ups – Available Now Nationwide:Each Fill Up includes an entrée, mashed potatoes with gravy, a biscuit, two pie poppers, and a medium drink.
The Retail Rundown: Pork Deals Deliver Summer Savings
Pork promotions are gaining momentum, with value-priced cuts standing out against higher-priced beef and even some chicken items.
Bacon continues to steal the spotlight in the pork category, fueled by strong seasonal demand as consumers stock up on this summer staple. Over Memorial Day, discounted bacon averaged $6.30 per pound, up nearly 3% from last year. Wholesale belly prices have climbed 13% since early April, supported by tightening hog supplies and historically low cold storage stocks.
As grilling season gains momentum, demand for ribs...
McDonald's Snack Wraps are Officially Coming Back: Here's When
The wait is almost over.
McDonald's confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the Snack Wrap will officially be coming back to restaurants permanently beginning Thursday, July 10.
The Snack Wrap features one of McDonald's new McCrispy Strips – a juicy chicken strip made with all white meat – topped with crisp shredded lettuce and shredded cheese, all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, according to the chain.
The item will be available in two flavors:
Dave's Hot Chicken Entering Next Phase of Growth & Innovation with Roark
From a parking lot in 2017, to a global sensation which expects to end the year with more than 400 restaurants across the globe; Dave's Hot Chicken has chosen an investment from Roark, entering its next phase of growth and innovation.
Dave's Hot Chicken has had years of incredible unit and sales growth and leading guest satisfaction metrics. The company remains committed to delivering an exceptional experience for its guests, team members and its franchise partners around the globe...
Volatility Defines 2025 in Food and Agriculture Markets – How do You Navigate It?
2025 has been a year marked by uncertainty in the food and agriculture sector. Volatility is the defining characteristic, with a cascade of global events disrupting pricing, availability and trade dynamics. From geopolitical tensions and severe weather events to animal epidemics and macroeconomic shifts, commodity markets have become increasingly difficult to navigate for buyers and sellers alike.
“The key challenge for businesses at the moment is having to navigate different markets going in different directions,” said Tom Bundgaard, VP of Price Forecasting...
Domino's Launches Weeklong Carryout Special
Domino’s is starting the month with a new promotion: from June 2–8, customers can carry out large two-topping pizzas for just $6.99 each.
This weeklong carryout special applies to any large pizza with two toppings, including specialty crusts like Hand Tossed, Crunchy Thin, and New York Style. For an additional $3, customers can upgrade to Domino’s new Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza.
The promotion comes as Domino’s ramps up rewards and deals to boost consumer demand.
The company reported a 0.5% decline...
Popeyes Rolls Out All-New Chicken Wraps
Popeyes is heating up the summer with the launch of an all-new menu category. Introducing the Popeyes Chicken Wrap — a bold, grab-and-go option packed with flavor and value, available for a limited time.
Each wrap features a hand-breaded, crispy chicken tender, crisp lettuce, shredded cheese, crunchy pickles, and your choice of Classic, Spicy, or Honey Mustard spread — all wrapped in a soft, warm tortilla inspired by our famous biscuits.
The Chicken Wraps come in three crave-worthy variations, each available for just $3.99...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #11
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #11."
ANALYSIS: April Chicken Cold Storage, Inventory Rebalancing Continues Amid Demand Shifts
Chicken cold storage inventories in April rose 2.1 percent year-over-year, even as total volumes declined 2.3 percent month-over-month. This monthly drawdown was more significant than the typical five-year April average decline of 1.7 percent, reflecting an active reduction in certain categories as seasonal demand shifts into focus.
Breasts and breast meat, which account for the largest portion of total chicken in cold storage, declined 5.8 percent from March. Inventories remain 7.5 percent above year-ago levels and are consistent with historical averages...
Firehouse Subs Accelerates Global Growth with Entry into Mexico
Firehouse Subs has signed a significant development agreement with Foodplay to open 100 restaurants across Mexico over the next five years, marking its latest strategic move in international expansion. This initiative is expected to generate hundreds of jobs locally while strengthening brand presence across Latin America.
"We believe Firehouse Subs has tremendous potential in Mexico's growing sandwich market," said Duncan Montero, LAC President of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), parent company of Firehouse Subs. "We're excited to bring Firehouse premium subs, heartfelt service...
USDA and Mexico Invest in Joint Effort to Eradicate New World Screwworm
On a recent call, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook L. Rollins and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué Sacristán, discussed ongoing efforts to contain the threat of New World Screwworm (NWS) south of the US-Mexico border. The USDA shared an update on the partnership via its website.
As part of this effort, the USDA announced a $21 million investment to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico. The goal is to produce an additional...
The Retail Rundown: Father’s Day Fires Up Demand for Premium Cuts
Meat sales over Memorial Day weekend appeared to underperform in some regions this year, as cool weather across the Midwest curbed outdoor grilling activity.
Retailers are now setting their sights on the next major grilling event, Father’s Day, paired with hopes for improved weather. Falling on June 15th this year, the event presents another opportunity to drive protein consumption.
This week’s retail buying opportunities are led by seafood, which accounts for 28.2% of protein ads. Beef has 26.4%, trailed by pork at 23.2%, chicken at 18%, and turkey with...
Layne's Chicken Fingers Celebrates Multiple Six-Figure Opening Weeks
Layne's Chicken Fingers, the Soon to be FamousTM chicken finger franchise, continues to see remarkable results at the restaurant level as it expands nationwide. With growing brand awareness, unbeatable brand loyalty and streamlined operations to ensure a smooth opening period, Layne's restaurants are far exceeding expectations.
"We continue to be blown away by the numbers our franchisees are reaching in their first days and weeks of operations," said Samir Wattar, chief operating officer. "We used to be ecstatic when a franchisee had a six-figure opening...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #10
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #10."
ANALYSIS: Chicken Production Expectations on the Rise
The May 2025 USDA Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook paints a cautiously optimistic picture for the US broiler industry. While growth remains intact, several factors—including production constraints and global trade uncertainties—are creating a more measured trajectory moving forward.
US broiler production is now projected to reach 47.5 billion pounds in 2025, reflecting a modest 1.1% increase over last year. This growth is fueled by a higher number of birds slaughtered and slightly heavier average weights. However, the forecast ha
ANALYSIS: Expectations for Chicken Prices After EU Bans Poultry Imports from Brazil
Brazil, which accounts for approximately 30% of global poultry exports (with China as its top customer, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa), confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm on May 16, 2025. In response, the European Commission (EC) has banned imports of Brazilian poultry and poultry meat products to the European Union (EU).
Although the EU represents only 4.4% of Brazil’s total poultry exports, Brazil accounts for approximately 32% of the EU’s poultry...
Snack Mania Recalls Nearly 10,000 Pounds of Chicken Coxinhas Due to Lack of Federal Inspection
According to an announcement from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Snack Mania Brazilian Delights Corp has issued a recall of approximately 9,722 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken coxinhas products. The recall was initiated because the products were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.
The affected items were produced on various dates between June 27, 2024, and May 2, 2025. They are packaged in 16.37 oz plastic containers labeled “Snack Mania COXINHAS BRAZILIAN...
Cargill Forecasts a Sizzling Start to Summer Grilling this Memorial Day
As millions of Americans mark the start of summer this Memorial Day weekend, Cargill is forecasting a strong demand for protein as grills fire up across the country. The company expects that many consumers will prioritize affordability without sacrificing taste by seeking out staples like ground beef, chicken and hot dogs.
Nearly 9 of 10 consumers say they’re ready to grill this summer, with approximately half of them planning to do so weekly. Beef (79%) and poultry (64%) remain the top choices for the grill...
Dolly Parton Partners with Conagra Brands on New Line of Frozen Dinners
America’s sweetheart and musical icon, Dolly Parton, has announced the expansion of her retail food line.
In partnership with industry leader Conagra Brands, the launch builds on a successful collaboration that began in 2022.
The new line combines the convenience of single-serve frozen meals with the finger-licking flavors of Southern-inspired cuisine. Each meal retails for $4.49 and can be prepared in either the microwave or oven. The meals are available at major grocery retailers across the US.
Product highlights...
The Retail Rundown: Seafood Leads Memorial Day Retail Ads; Weather Poses Challenges
Seafood leads retail protein promotions heading into Memorial Day weekend, accounting for 28.7% of total featured protein ad volume. Pork follows at 25.9%, with beef at 21.3% and chicken at 19.3%.
Egg feature volume is virtually absent amid sluggish retail demand. Warmer weather is prompting a shift toward fruit and cereal for breakfast, while elevated, though easing, shelf prices continue to dampen consumer interest, according to Expana.
Within the seafood category, fresh and frozen fillets represent the largest share of advertised items at nearly 28%. Raw shrimp...
Applebee’s Reintroduces “All You Can Eat” to Drive Seasonal Traffic
Applebee’s has reintroduced its popular “All You Can Eat” promotion, an LTO strategy the brand consistently deploys during high-traffic periods to drive guest visits.
This season’s lineup features three proven guest favorites and legacy menu items: Chicken Tenders, Riblets, and Double Crunch Shrimp—offering broad consumer appeal.
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #9
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #9."
Brazil Confirms First Bird Flu Outbreak on Commercial Poultry Farm in Nearly 20 Years
Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) confirmed on Friday, May 16 an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in a breeder facility for commercial poultry. The outbreak was detected on May 15 in the municipality of Montenegro, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where one of the largest poultry production facilities in the country is located.
“This is the first HPAI outbreak detected in Brazil’s commercial poultry farming system,” Mapa said, and added that containment and eradication measures...
ANALYSIS: Chicken Exports for March Driven by Global Uncertainty
March 2025 broiler exports totaled 568,711,000 lbs, up 1.8% year-over-year (YoY) and 3.9% from February. While the headline growth appears stable, underlying market movements suggest a broiler export sector navigating increasing trade friction and market realignment.
Taiwan saw the steepest decline, with volumes falling 47.3% YoY and 69.5% month-over-month (MoM), landing far below its 5-year March average. This aligns with ongoing geopolitical strain and shifting procurement policies, possibly tied to broader regional trade conflicts and retaliatory barriers that have sharply reduced...
The Retail Rundown: Pre-Grilling Season Retail Insights
With Memorial Day fast approaching, retailers are ramping up promotions to jumpstart the unofficial kickoff to the summer grilling season—a crucial window for driving foot traffic and boosting meat department sales.
The next two weeks are key, as market participants closely watch consumer demand ahead of what is typically one of the busiest periods for beef sales. Protein items are being prominently showcased alongside vibrant seasonal produce, enhancing the appeal of in-store displays.
Seafood leads the protein feature mix this week, accounting for nearly 30% of all advertised protein items...
China, UK Trade Talks Pose Positive Opportunities for US Animal Food Industry
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to see a cooling of U.S. tariffs on and retaliatory tariffs from China and a proposed trade agreement with the United Kingdom coming to fruition, given discussions late last week and over the weekend between the U.S. and respective countries’ trade officials. Both China and the United Kingdom present valuable opportunities for U.S. animal food manufacturers, which produce some of the safest, highest quality and innovative feed, feed ingredients and pet food globally...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8."
Dr. Casey Means Appointed to US Surgeon General
On May 8, Dr. Casey Means was appointed to be the next US Surgeon General by US President Trump, after a recommendation from US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A forthcoming Senate hearing will occur to vote whether to confirm Means to this position, Expana has reported.
Means associates diet with the root cause of the “chronic disease epidemic” in America.
“Metabolic dysfunction is largely not a genetic issue. It’s caused by toxic American ultra-processed industrial food, toxic American chemicals, toxic American medication, and our toxic sedentary indoor lifestyles..."
49th Executive Conference Highlights Resilience and Future Outlook of Animal Protein Sector
This year’s Executive Conference held in Las Vegas from May 5–7 for senior leaders in the animal protein sector, was an informative show of the industry’s and what we can expect from the protein sector in the coming years.
“We feed the ever-growing needs of the entire population,” said Russ Whitman, Expana’s Director of Market Reporting, in his opening remarks.
Despite challenges related to animal health, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical tensions, the industry has demonstrated remarkable perseverance.
ANALYSIS: EU Broiler Market Update - Price Momentum, Production Growth, and Export Potential
The EU broiler market has shown notable price resilience in recent months, as average prices reached EUR 2.88/kg by the end of April 2025. This marks a year-on-year increase of 9.3%, positioning EU broiler prices ahead of those in other major poultry-producing regions such as Brazil and Thailand.
Brazilian broiler prices remain significantly lower, despite modest gains in recent weeks. Current price levels are at approximately EUR 1.5 /kg, highlighting Brazil's continued cost competitiveness in the global poultry market...
ANALYSIS: Chicken Slaughter: A Look at Q1 and What Lies Ahead
The first quarter of 2025 has extended the poultry industry’s trend of constrained production, with slaughter volumes trailing historical norms due to a mix of operational and biological challenges. January began firmly, with federally inspected chicken slaughter reaching 834.3 million head—slightly above both 2024’s level and the historical maximum for the month. However, this strength was not sustained.
February volumes fell sharply to 736.9 million head, reflecting the combined effects of widespread winter storms and plant downtime which limited live bird transport and reduced line schedules...
The Retail Rundown: Grocers Take on Foodservice for a Slice of Mother’s Day Spending
Grocers are gearing up to win a slice of Mother’s Day sales, which are traditionally dominated by restaurants and dining out. While foodservice still captures the lion’s share of spending, supermarkets are making strategic plays to compete for consumers' dollars.
According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day spending is projected to hit $34.1 billion this year—up from $33.5 billion in 2024 and just shy of the 2023 record of $35.7 billion. About 84% of US adults are expected to celebrate, spending an average of $259.04 on gifts and festivities...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7."
ANALYSIS: March Chicken Inventory Trends Reflect Shifting Domestic and Export Dynamics
Cold storage inventories of chicken continue to diverge from 2023 levels, with March values up 3.1% year-over-year (YoY). Although there was a month-over-month (MoM) decrease from February to March, it was less significant than the typical five-year average decline. This overall trend was largely driven by the breast and breast meat category, which alone accounted for 32% of total chicken supplies in cold storage. Frozen holdings of breasts and breast meat were up 13.7% YoY and declined just 0.6% MoM—far less than the five-year average decrease of 4.2%.
This is particularly notable given the difficulty many domestic buyers faced in uncovering both...
Smith Packing Recalls Approximately 18,792 Pounds of RTE Sausage and Sliced Meat and Poultry Product
According to an announcement from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Smith Packing, LLC is recalling approximately 18,792 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage and sliced meat and poultry products due to excessive sodium nitrite levels.
This recall follows an investigation prompted by customer complaints about an off-putting taste and/or discoloration of the product.
The affected items were produced between February 19 and April 24, 2025, bear establishment numbers “EST. 4578”...
The Retail Rundown: Grocers Turn Up the Heat
Grocers are turning up the heat in this week’s circulars, leaning into classic summer grilling staples—ribs, burgers, and barbecue fixings—signaling early excitement for the season even with Memorial Day still a few weeks away.
Seafood tops this week’s retail protein promotions, claiming roughly 28% of total ad space. Beef follows with 24.7%, trailed by pork at 23.1% and chicken at 20.2%. Turkey ads were slashed by half compared to last week, now accounting for just 3% of circular space.
Retailers are also highlighting festive favorites ahead of Cinco de Mayo. Ground beef in the 78–84% lean range averaged $4.89 per...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #6
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #6."
McDonald’s Adds McCrispy Strips and Creamy Chili Dip to Permanent Menu
As temperatures rise, quick-service restaurants are adjusting menus to satisfy seasonal cravings. In its effort to expand offerings, McDonald’s turned to its customers—on social media and beyond—to ask what they wanted most. The overwhelming answer: more chicken.
Responding to that demand, McDonald’s is launching its first permanent menu addition since 2021. Starting May 5, the brand will debut its new McCrispy Strips, served with a Creamy Chili Dip.
"Since stepping into my new role as a leader of the U.S. business this year...
ANALYSIS: Broiler Production Outlook Brings Expectation of Gains
As we approach the tail end of April, protein market participants are weighing a number of variables as they attempt to hone their expectations for the road which lies ahead. For stakeholders in the chicken sector, concerns around disease, low hatchability, and live weights remain front and center.
Despite persistent uncertainty, the second-quarter broiler production expectations are projected to post the largest year-over-year (YoY) increase among all of the major protein categories. According to the Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry Outlook, the latest Q2 forecast stands...
The Retail Rundown: Post-Easter Pause Sets Stage for Protein Push
With Easter now in the rearview, retailers will largely tread water, positioning themselves for a seasonal surge in demand ahead of the start of summer.
Grilling demand is beginning to build toward a Memorial Day crescendo, prompting grocers to build inventory and plan aggressive promotions to jumpstart the season.
But first up is Cinco de Mayo. While it's a smaller holiday, it can still drive foot traffic. Proteins like pork, steak, and chicken are expected to see solid movement as shoppers make tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and other festive fare...
Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5
Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5."
FEATURED STORIES
ANALYSIS: Australia’s May 2025 Beef Exports Hover Near Record Highs at 129,477 mt
ANALYSIS: April Pork Volumes Reflect Global Tariff Strain
ANALYSIS: US Beef Variety Export Destination Comparison between April 2024 and April 2025
Global Commodities Markets – Q2 2025 Trends and Forecasts
Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline