Perdue Farms Confirms Positive Case of COVID-19 at Georgia Production Facility 

Perdue Farms learned that an Associate at the Perry, Georgia Cook Plant, who has not been to work for more than a week, has tested positive for COVID-19. Perdue is unable to disclose additional details around this individual in accordance with privacy laws. Upon receiving this notification, the company immediately enacted its pandemic response protocols, which follow strict guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including:

• Notifying and coordinating response procedures with all pertinent parties (local health officials, onsite USDA inspector, Perdue HR and Wellness Staff, Coronavirus Response Leader, and facility Director of Operations...

ANALYSIS: Assessing COVID-19’s Initial Impact on the Chicken Market

Although COVID-19 is a relatively new challenge here in the US, its acute and unparalleled impact on spot market dynamics cannot be overstated...

Meat Sales Surged 77% the Week of March 15 Amid Growing COVID-19 Cases

The week ending March 8 saw a fast acceleration of meat sales in dollars, units and volume. As the number of school closures, social distancing guidelines and other COVID-19 related measures significantly sharpened the subsequent week, sales surged along with it. Thanks to the heroic efforts of everyone in the meat and poultry industry, the supply kept flowing. Retailers restocked their meat cases again and again as shoppers across the country stocked up on meat and poultry to feed their families nutritious meals.

Meat department sales without deli meat were up an incredible 76.9% over the week ending March 15, 2020 versus the comparable week in 2019, according to data insights firm IRI, and deli meat sales advanced...

USDA Announces Expanded Red Meat Access to China as Phase One Trade Deal Moves Forward

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced continued progress in the implementation of agriculture provisions in the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement.

The new actions are led by increased access for red meat and poultry into China. According to the statement, U.S. beef producers, for the first time since 2003, will have access to nearly all beef products into China.

An expansion of pork products that will be allowed into Chinese ports was also included in the...

Protein Alternatives Market Outlook to 2025; Dominated by Cargill

According to ResearchAndMarkets, the global protein alternatives market is projected to grow with a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period (2020-2025).

The market studied has witnessed a significant growth due to the increasing intolerance toward animal protein, thereby leading to the shift in preference of the meat-consuming population toward meat substitutes made of vegan protein, therefore, driving the market studied.

Consumers in developing regions, like Asia-Pacific and Africa, have started to incorporate more protein in their daily diets. Many companies operating in the market place have started to initiate...

Sanderson Farms Confirms Employee has Tested Positive for Novel Coronavirus

Sanderson Farms, Inc. confirmed that an employee at the Company’s McComb, Mississippi, processing plant has tested positive for novel coronavirus. This individual’s work area was contained to one small processing table. “Upon learning of this case, we took a number of immediate steps to protect the health and safety of our employees,” said Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms, Inc. “Following CDC and local health department guidelines, and procedures developed in consultation with an infectious disease physician, we identified six individuals in the work area who could be at risk, and those employees, along with...

ANALYSIS: An Historical Look at Q1 Boneless Breast Performance

It almost goes without saying that the widespread impact of COVID-19 has left most food-oriented businesses scrambling to adapt to the rapidly developing and unpredictable swing in demand patterns...

Rabobank: Coronavirus and African Swine Fever to Shake Up Global Poultry Markets

The outlook for global poultry in 2020 will be materially affected by the current coronavirus pandemic, and the ongoing African swine fever (ASF) challenges in the pork industry will bring additional complexity to global markets.

Rabobank expects a further drop in pork production in Asia this year, which could lead to potential growth in local poultry production and international trade, if rising supply chain challenges can be managed. As coronavirus is now expected to cause a global economic slowdown, poultry demand could...

ANALYSIS: Keeping Tabs on YoY Chicken Prices

With Q2 just around the corner, we thought it would be a good opportunity to gain some perspective on the YoY performance of some key items within the chicken complex...

47 Members of Congress Send Letter Requesting U.S. Chicken Market Access to the United Kingdom

Arkansas Representative Steve Womack (R, AR-3), along with 46 Members of Congress, yesterday sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer requesting that U.S. chicken products be included in any new trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

The letter specifically addresses the European Union’s long-standing, unscientific ban on U.S.-exported chicken due to an American practice of using chlorine during processing. The U.K. formally adhered to the E.U.’s food safety standards in 1997 and American chicken has been banned from entry since that time.

“With almost one of five pounds of chicken being exported, a robust and expanding overseas market is extremely important to the economic health and well-being of the U.S. chicken industry,” said National Chicken Council President Mike Brown. “Including U.S. chicken is critical in...

Daring Launches Plant-Based Chicken at Sprouts Farmers Market Locations Nationwide

Daring Foods has announced its first retail partnership with healthy grocer Sprouts Farmers Market.

Starting today, 10-ounce pouches of original Daring pieces will be available for $9.99 at more than 340 Sprouts Farmers Market locations across the country. Daring is gluten free and includes 20 grams of protein per serving. This milestone offering is the first non-breaded, plant-based chicken alternative to be introduced at Sprouts.

"With this launch, we are excited to bring Daring pieces to dinner tables across America," said Ross Mackay, Co-Founder and CEO of Daring Foods. "Daring is leading the charge as...

ANALYSIS: All Eyes on Chicken White Meat

In a somewhat unexpected change of pace, chicken white meats have recently begun to gain some upward price momentum...

Packaged Facts: Global Meat Consumption On the Rise

While meat-eaters are increasingly trying plant-based protein options, meat consumption worldwide is expected to increase 1.4% per year through 2023, according to data published in the new Packaged Facts report Global Meat & Poultry Trends.

Meat and poultry consumption in the U.S. is expected to increase less than 1.0% per year through 2023, but greater gains are projected in other parts of the world. Most notably, nations in Africa and the Middle East are forecast to register the fastest increases in meat consumption, as rising living standards and income levels allow more people to incorporate meat into their regular diet.

"In many parts of the world, meat is among the least affordable food options. It is generally pricier than locally available grains, beans, vegetables, and fruit. However, as average incomes rise, more people to eat meat, first as...

Post Holdings Reports Poultry Plant Fire in Nebraska

Post Holdings reported a fire took place last evening at its Michael Foods farm operation in Bloomfield, Nebraska. While the cause of the fire has not been determined, all employees were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported. Post Holdings reported that the fire impacted less than 5% of the layer population of Michael Foods' internal and external layer network.

According to some reports, one of the barns was destroyed and approximately 400,000 chickens perished. Michael Foods has about 20 barns at the site and about 4 million chickens. The barn that burned was relatively new and designed to produce cage-free eggs. Councilman Ray Lush stated that the plant employs about 125 to 150 people, which is...

ANALYSIS: Freezer Burn

In light of the recent attention being placed on China, a central focus of chicken processors and exporters has been the back half of the bird, and with good reason...

ANALYSIS: Keeping Tabs on the Q1 Protein Production Trend

In light of this week’s uninspiring level of spot trade activity, we thought it would be a good opportunity to venture away from the day-to-day in favor of a broader view of...

KFC Brings Chicken & Donuts to Restaurants Nationwide

After creating a consumer frenzy with a limited run test in 2019, Kentucky Fried Chicken announced today it is bringing its coveted, always hot, Kentucky Fried Chicken & Donuts to fans nationwide.

Kentucky Fried Chicken & Donuts brings two all-American classics together, a delicious pairing of KFC's world-famous fried chicken, coupled with a warm, fresh-glazed donut. Beginning February 24, Kentucky Fried Chicken & Donuts will be available at participating restaurants in the U.S. for a limited time only.

Like the nationwide debut of Nashville Hot Chicken in 2016 and Chicken & Waffles in 2018, KFC is once again bringing the latest rising fried chicken trend to the masses with the introduction of Kentucky Fried Chicken & Donuts. This latest pairing has...

Tyson Foods States Company is Uniquely Positioned to Meet Global Protein Demand 

Tyson Foods, Inc. CEO Noel White reiterated today at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York annual conference that, “Tyson Foods’ scale, diversified portfolio, international footprint and financial track record uniquely position the company for continued, long-term growth at a time when there’s growing global demand for protein.”

Dean Banks, who recently joined Tyson Foods as its president, said, “We have a global opportunity and innovation across our portfolio is the key,” adding, “I have a passion for innovation and have been impressed with the innovation culture at Tyson Foods.”

Banks highlighted Tyson Air Fried Perfectly Crispy Chicken, Tyson Instant Pot Kits, Jimmy Dean Omelet Minis, Jimmy Dean Loaded Sausage Bites, Hillshire Snacking Bruschetta and Pact as examples of...

ANALYSIS: An Initial 2020 Chicken Production Assessment

With the first couple weeks of 2020 under the industry’s collective belt, we thought it would be a good opportunity to check in on the slaughter stats...

MGM Resorts Announces New Sustainable Sourcing Goals For Eggs And Chickens

MGM Resorts International announced plans to expand its responsible sourcing program with a set of goals for eggs and chickens.

Under its cage-free & free-range egg and chicken policy, the Company has set a goal to source 100 percent of eggs (shell, liquid, and egg products) from cage-free sources throughout its global portfolio before 2030. In tandem, the Company has also committed to sourcing chickens from...

Carrefour Introduces a Method for Avoiding Male Chicks to Be Culled 

As part of its food transition plan, Carrefour and Loué have entered into a partnership to produce and sell eggs laid by chickens produced using a spectrophotometric in-ovo sexing technique. Consumers will be able to purchase the products from 1 May.

This is another step forward for animal welfare, and Carrefour is involving players across the sector in identifying and developing the best in-ovo sexing techniques in France. As soon as a concerted solution that can be industrialized has been identified, Carrefour will commit to...

ANALYSIS: A Post-Football Wing Assessment

In the thirty days following Superbowl Sunday, wing values have traditionally glided back down to regular levels...

Tyson Foods Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

Tyson Foods, Inc., one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein with leading brands including Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair, today reported the following results:

First Quarter Highlights

• GAAP EPS of $1.52, up 1% from prior year; Adjusted EPS of $1.66, up 5% from prior year
• GAAP operating income of $826 million, up 2% from prior year
• Adjusted operating income of $894 million, up 6% from prior year...

KFC Beyond Fried Chicken Expands to Two New Markets

Kentucky Fried Chicken and Beyond Meat are announcing an expanded test of Beyond Fried Chicken, plant-based chicken. Beginning February 3, select KFC restaurants in Charlotte, Nashville and surrounding areas, will offer new Beyond Fried Chicken menu items, available through February 23, or while supplies last.

The expanded test comes on the heels of the overwhelmingly successful test launch in Atlanta last summer, making KFC the first national U.S. QSR to introduce plant-based chicken in partnership with Beyond Meat. With customers lining up hours before the restaurant opened and...

McDonald’s Goes Bigger on Breakfast by Adding the McChicken to Its Morning Menu Nationwide

For the first time, customers across the country can wake up to McDonald’s Chicken McGriddles and McChicken Biscuit breakfast sandwiches for a limited time. Available as early as 6am for fans looking to get a jump on their mornings, and always 7 days a week. A staple long-beloved by McDonald’s Southern customers, the two menu additions now give everyone the chance to enjoy McChicken for breakfast.

• Chicken McGriddles: Soft, warm griddle cakes with the sweet taste of maple, paired with our fan-favorite McChicken
• McChicken Biscuit: A warm, buttery biscuit paired with our beloved McChicken sandwich...

Super Bowl Chicken Wing Consumption Projected to Increase in 2020 as Prices Sit at Attractive Levels

Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner and football isn’t the only thing that is taking centerstage. Chicken wings will be on millions of tables come Sunday evening.

In all, Americans will chow down on 1.4 BILLION chicken wings during this year’s big game. Sitting only behind pizza as the most popular food item, foodservice and retail stores have been stocking up in preparation for the droves of football fans looking to get their fingers messy with barbecue and hot sauce...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Cold Storage: The Year-End Figures Are In

After a great deal of anticipation, chicken market participants and observers finally get a glimpse of the year-end 2019 Cold Storage Report...

PODCAST: Chicken, China, and Chatting - Matt Busardo Talks Poultry

Matt Busardo joins Laura this week for the very first time representing the UB poultry office. They talk chicken paws, China, select breasts, and more. Be sure to listen in on Soundcloud, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Did you know? Urner Barry's Market Digest Podcast is now available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, and SoundCloud! More ways to listen to top industry news and analysis.

Tyson Foods Initiates Coalition to Advance the Future of Sustainable Protein

Tyson Foods, Inc. today announced the creation of the Coalition for Global Protein, a multi-stakeholder initiative to advance the future of sustainable protein.

To mark the launch of the Coalition, Tyson Foods is convening leaders from the global protein industry, which includes all forms of protein, as well as academia, non-governmental organizations and financial institutions this week at Davos, Switzerland, alongside the 50th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. The goal is to unite stakeholders across the food and agriculture sector to identify and implement new and creative solutions to sustainably feed the world’s growing population. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Lawrence Haddad, executive director of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.

“Efforts to make the production of high-protein foods more sustainable must continue,” said Dr. Haddad. “These foods, many from animal sources, are vital for the healthy growth of young children, especially those...

African Poultry Sector Remains Strong Opportunity for Investors

According to a recent Rabobank report, the time is now for investors that are looking to stake their claim in the African poultry industry.

A report authored by Nan-Dirk Mulder, Senior Analyst, Animal Protein, said that local and international investors are eyeing the steady growth for both the African poultry and egg industries over the past decade and see the region as a strong investment opportunity...

Rabobank’s initial report on investment opportunities in African poultry, “Time for Africa” was released in 2017, and Mulder provided an update on an opportunity...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Weights – Onward and Upward

It almost goes without saying that when it comes to commodity valuation, there is no shortage of variables which have the potential to influence the supply and demand sides of the equation...

Tyson Introduces Instant Pot Kits

Tyson Brand and Instant Brands, creator of the multicooker, Instant Pot, have teamed up to create the brand-new Tyson Instant Pot Kits. Designed to cook in 20 minutes, these fully prepped kits have everything you need for a meal, including Tyson chicken, as well as premium long-grain rice and bold sauces.

The kits were designed to help Instant Pot users who want new ways to use their multicooker to make their favorite protein, and fast. The Tyson Instant Pot Kits come in three culinary-inspired and on-trend varieties that are sure to satisfy all palates...

What the Trade Agreement with China Means for the Meat and Poultry Industry

The Phase One economic and trade agreement signed by the United States and China on January 15, 2020, will provide U.S. exporters of beef, pork, and poultry, as well as live breeding cattle with expanded access to China’s rapidly growing market.

Market Overview: As incomes rise in China, demand for protein in diets increases as well. Chinese demand for imported beef, pork, and poultry is growing at a rapid rate, made more acute due to domestic pork supply constraints in China as a result of the ongoing outbreak of African swine fever. When China partially re-opened its market to U.S. beef and beef products in 2017, following a 13-year ban, many unscientific restrictions remained, including...

TGI Fridays Kicks Off 2020 with Dinners for Two Starting at $20

TGI Fridays has announced it's kicking off 2020 by giving people the opportunity to get together more often, starting with its launch of Fridays Feast. Beginning January 13, guests can visit their favorite local Fridays and enjoy a complete three-course meal for two (two apps + two entrees + two desserts) starting at just $20. This menu offering is a delicious and affordable solution for guests who resolved to have more affordable together time with friends and family.

"We are excited to invite guests to come together over Fridays Feast," said Cindy Syracuse, TGI Fridays vice president of marketing. "Fridays knows a delicious meal at a great price offers a valuable opportunity for...

Chlorine-Washed Chicken and Hormone-Treated Beef Ban to Remain After Brexit

Chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef will not be allowed into the UK under any trade deal with the US, the Environment Secretary has told the BBC’s Countryfile program.

In an exclusive interview, Theresa Villiers told presenter Tom Heap that the current EU ban on such imports will be carried over into UK legislation following Brexit.

Ms Villiers said: “We will not be importing chlorinated-chicken. We will not be importing hormone-treated beef. Both of those are...

Rabobank: Opportunities Remain Wide Open for African Poultry 

Since the 2016 report ‘Time for Africa,’ we’ve seen ongoing investments in the USD 25 billion African poultry and egg industries, driven by strong long-term fundamentals. This has recently accelerated again after a slowdown in 2016/17 resulting from economic volatility in some African countries, especially those with a high dependence on oil and mining. “The middle class in Africa is expected to continue growing, as the population doubles and more people move to big cities. These core fundamentals, together with the untapped potential of local feed grain production, offer an attractive investment opportunity,” according to Nan-Dirk Mulder, senior animal protein analyst.

“This will all lead to ongoing market growth and modernization at all stages of the value chain, creating an increasingly interesting platform for international investors. The growing demand and modernization of...

U.S. Per Capita Availability of Red Meat, Poultry, and Seafood on the Rise

After falling from 148.6 pounds in 2004 to 133.5 pounds in 2014, the per capita supply of red meat, poultry, and fish/shellfish available for Americans to eat after adjusting for losses rose to 143.9 pounds in 2017. Red meat (beef, pork, veal, and lamb) accounted for 51 percent of 2017’s 143.9-pound total, compared with 42 percent for poultry (chicken and turkey) and 7 percent for fish and shellfish.

ERS calculates per capita loss-adjusted food availability in a given year by taking per capita supplies of food available for human consumption and adjusting for some of the spoilage, plate waste, and other losses in grocery stores, restaurants, and homes to more closely approximate consumption. Over 2015-17, beef had the...

Popeyes Announces New Partnership with DoorDash

Popeyes today announced a new, nationwide partnership with DoorDash, bringing the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich and other fan-favorite menu items directly to customers’ doorsteps around the country. To celebrate the new partnership, Popeyes is thanking its loyal customers by giving away free Chicken Sandwiches exclusively through DoorDash for the next week only.

From January 13 through 19, customers who order $20 or more of Popeyes through DoorDash can receive a free Chicken Sandwich combo meal and a $0 delivery fee with code...

Culinary International Recalls Chicken Burrito Products

Culinary International, LLC, a Vernon, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 626 pounds of egg burrito products labeled as chicken burrito products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain eggs, a known allergen, which was not declared on the product label.

The frozen, not ready-to-eat (NRTE) chicken burrito items were produced on Sept. 10, 2019. The following products are subject to recall...

REPORTER: From Fast Food to Halal, Mennella’s Poultry Does it All

Entering its 75th year in business, Mennella’s Poultry is a third-generation meat distributor in Paterson, New Jersey. Back when all one could ever need was located on a single street, consumers would visit Mennella’s to purchase a dozen eggs or poultry from their live chicken market. In 1964 the World’s Fair came to New York, and Mennella’s Poultry was hired by Chicken Delight to deliver products to the fair. The business was working around the clock, driving to Delaware and Pennsylvania daily, picking up chickens and preparing them...

Perdue Farms Launches New Direct-to-Consumer E-Commerce Website in Centennial Year

With nearly half or more of all shoppers buying perishables such as meat, produce and dairy items online*, Perdue Farms has launched a new e-commerce website that will offer a selection of its family of brands for sale directly to consumers at PerdueFarms.com.

The site will initially offer an assortment of frozen items across some of Perdue Farms' most popular brands including PERDUE, Niman Ranch, Coleman Natural, Sonoma Red and Skagit Red, with plans to add additional offerings over time as demand increases.

"As both online shopping and the demand for convenience show no signs of slowing down, we felt it was important to be in this space," said David Zucker, Perdue Farms senior vice president of e-commerce and new ventures. "We're excited that this is the first time we've been able to offer...

Hooters Launches Meatless Wings Nationwide 

Meatless tacos, meatless burgers, now it's time for meatless wings! For the first time on the casual-dining stage, 318 Hooters restaurants across the U.S. are introducing meatless wings in a national launch – the Unreal Wings made with Quorn.

Hooters Unreal wings are made with Quorn's Meatless Wings, which are fried and then tossed in Hooters' classic sauces and dry rubs. From Original BBQ to Honey Thai Chili Pepper to Classic Buffalo, the Unreal Wings are vegetarian, non-GMO, soy-free and...

Church's Chicken Adds New Items to Menu for a Limited Time

Church's Chicken is kicking off the new year with double the deliciousness, featuring a duo of limited-time offerings sure to appeal to the flavor seeker in all of us - without breaking the bank.

First is the all-new Handheld Chicken Pot Pie – a perfectly portable version of classic chicken pot pie, featuring all-white-meat chicken and mixed vegetables in a buttery and creamy sauce wrapped in a hot, flaky and golden fried pie crust. In addition, fans will celebrate the return of one of Church's most popular Down Home taste sensations – Buttermilk Ranch MegaBites – dippable, portable and juicy, all-white-meat chicken bites hand battered and...

Chipotle Innovates Lifestyle Bowls

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced today that it's rolling out a Supergreens salad mix nationally this week. Made of hand-cut romaine, antioxidant-rich baby kale and crisp baby spinach, Supergreens will replace the existing romaine-only salad base. This is Chipotle's second new menu item added in the last four months, following the successful launch of Carne Asada in September 2019. Chipotle has also made its grilled, Adobo chicken Whole30 compliant by switching the oil in its marinade, keeping the same great taste, but providing guests with specific dietary goals more options.

Chipotle was the first in the fast-casual industry to offer preconfigured, diet driven Lifestyle Bowls last year, which aided its digital sales growth to hit a $1B milestone recently. Statistics have shown that less than 25% of people stay committed to their new year's resolutions after 30 days, and...

REPORTER: Chicken Sandwich Wars

Whether you’re a loyal foodie hungry for a new twist on an old favorite, or a chicken industry veteran who has weathered more than a few conflicts, almost everyone has heard of or were quite possibly impacted by the great chicken war of 2019. This past summer one certainly couldn’t tweet, turn on the TV, listen to the radio, or pop in your favorite fast food establishment without seeing or hearing some reference to the month-long marketing campaign turned social...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Storage on a Predictable Path

Other than the dialogue related to China and the impact it has already had on trade sentiment and market values, the backdrop of chatter is still...

ANALYSIS: A Chicken Production Assessment

With just under two weeks to go before the new year is upon us, it’s safe to say that 2019 has proven to be an historic period for chicken production...

Sanderson Farms, Inc. Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2019

Sanderson Farms, Inc. today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $906.5 million compared with $798.1 million for the same period a year ago. For the quarter, the Company reported a net loss of $22.9 million, or $1.05 per share, compared with a net loss of $ 43.2 million, or $1.95 per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

Net sales for fiscal 2019 were $3.440 billion compared with $3.236 billion for fiscal 2018. Net income for the fiscal year totaled $53.3 million, or $2.41 per share, compared with...

Daring Foods Launches Nationwide with Rastelli Foods Group

Daring Foods, the first plant-based chicken made from only five non-GMO ingredients, announced today its arrival in the US through a strategic partnership with family-run butcher and industry leading food service supplier, Rastelli Foods Group.

Through the multi-million USD deal partnership, Rastelli Foods Group will be the exclusive national distributor of Daring Foods; bringing its plant-based chicken to restaurants and retailers throughout the country. In addition, Rastelli's will support Daring's push into direct-to-consumer product delivery in February 2020 through daringfoods.com.

This marks a new chapter in plant-based alternatives – created from simple ingredients that customers will have no trouble recognizing, yet mimics chicken in...

Rabobank: Poultry Quarterly Q1 2020

The outlook for global poultry in 2020 is slightly more positive than it was in 2019, when markets suffered from relative oversupply. A key driver of the gradual recovery will be ongoing strength in trade flows to Asia in order to supply African swine fever-affected markets such as China, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines. These trade flows will be positive for dark-meat prices, though they will be subject to increasing volatility. Improved beef prices (the main substitute for fresh poultry), stable global average feed prices, and more balanced supply will also all support the gradual recovery. The downside is that global whole-bird and breast-meat markets will remain pressured and have limited price upside.

African swine fever (ASF) will increasingly push chicken expansion in Asia in 2020. This will help fill the gap in local protein markets affected by ASF, but it also...

ANALYSIS: Boneless Chicken Breasts and the New Norm

If we had to choose one item in the chicken market which has been most highly impacted by the deeply rooted industry trend of heavier and heavier bird weights, it would have to be...

ANALYSIS: Digging into 2019’s YTD Production Stats

With 2020 just around the corner, chicken market participants take some time to reflect on how this year has played out, so far...

KFC Canada Introduces Plant-Based Chicken 

KFC Canada announced its latest innovation, KFC Plant-Based Fried Chicken. With the desire to share the Colonel's legendary finger lickin' good taste with every Canadian, KFC Canada partnered with Lightlife, a leading plant-based protein brand, to create a signature Plant-Based Fried Chicken Sandwich and Popcorn Chicken.

KFC Canada's Plant-Based Fried Chicken will make its debut during a limited, one-restaurant, one-day test on Wednesday, November 27 in Mississauga, Ontario. KFC fans looking to try the new plant-based options are invited to visit KFC at 6055 Creditview Road in Mississauga, Ontario between the hours of 10:30am to 11:00pm, or while supplies last.

"We believe the Colonel's famous finger lickin' good taste should have no boundaries," said Sam Redman, Chief Marketing Officer, KFC Canada. "So we've created...

FSIS Releases List of 172 Poultry Plants Approved to Export to China 

Since China has announced it will lift its ban on imports of all U.S. poultry products, 172 U.S. poultry processing plants have been approved to export to China. The list of processing plants has been published on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service portal. United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer stated that China is an important export market for America's poultry farmers, and estimates indicate that more than $1 billion worth of poultry and poultry products will be exported to China each year.

Find the complete list from the FSIS here...

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. Recalls Chicken Fried Rice Products

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc., an Oakland, Miss. establishment, is recalling approximately 172,692 pounds of chicken fried rice products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The not-ready-to-eat, frozen chicken fried rice items were produced from July 9, 2019 to July 11, 2019 with various packaging and best by dates. The following products are subject to recall...

Missa Bay, LLC Recalls Salad Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Missa Bay, LLC, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 97,272 pounds of salad products that contain meat or poultry because the lettuce ingredient may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The salad products items were produced from October 14, 2019 through October 16, 2019. The products subject to the recall can be found on the following spreadsheet. FSIS will likely update the poundage as more information becomes available. FSIS will also post product labels on its website once they become available.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 18502B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distribution locations in...

BrucePac Recalls Ready-to-Eat Chicken Sausage Products

BrucePac, a Silverton, Ore. establishment, is recalling approximately 55,550 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken sausage products due to misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain a pork casing, which is not declared on the label.

The frozen, RTE chicken sausage items were produced on various dates from November 15, 2018 to June 24, 2019. The following products are subject to recall...

ANALYSIS: Deciphering Chicken Dark Meat

News of China lifting its five-year ban on U.S poultry and therefore granting access to more than a billion dollars’ worth of potential export business for chicken and chicken products is making the rounds...

American Poultry Farmers Regain Access to China 

Today, China has announced it will lift its ban on imports of all U.S. poultry products. China has banned all U.S. poultry since January 2015 due to an avian influenza outbreak in December 2014, even though the United States has been free of the disease since August 2017. The United States is the world's second largest poultry exporter, with global exports of poultry meat and products of $4.3 billion last year.

According to an Urner Barry chicken analysis, China was the number two trade partner with the U.S. poultry industry before the ban. Prior to the ban, China was pulling in about 195.7 thousand metric tons of U.S. chicken annually. Of that tonnage, approximately 77.7 thousand metric tons were...

Creative Food Processing Recalls Poultry Products

Creative Food Processing, a Santa Clara, Calif. establishment is recalling approximately 1,941 pounds of raw chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains wheat, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

The raw chicken skewer items were produced from April 16, 2019 to Nov. 6, 2019. The following products are subject to recall...