ANALYSIS: Renewed Retail Demand Brings Stability to the Shell-Egg Market

It appeared at the start of the week that the US shell-egg market was poised for a potential turn to the downside as spot market offers began to...

ANALYSIS: USDA Weekly Eggs Processed Numbers Climb, Driven by Manufacturing Needs

Shell Eggs Processed Under Federal Inspection came in at 1,554,781 cases for the week ending August 21st, according to data released yesterday afternoon by the USDA—an increase of...

U.S. Poultry and Egg Exports Surged in First Half, on Pace for Record Year

The Covid-19 pandemic, an uncertain economy, and logistics problems like port closings and shipping bottlenecks haven’t slowed the tremendous demand for U.S. poultry and eggs around the world.

Exports of U.S. broiler chicken and shell eggs set records in the first half of 2021 and are on pace to break all-time marks for the year, according to the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), citing government trade data.

Total broiler export volume reached an all-time high for the January through June period, with Mexico, China, Cuba, and Philippines leading the way. Cuba, and Philippines set records for both...

PLANT PROTEIN: Get to Know Players in the Plant Protein Market: Plantible 

Duckweed is an incredibly sustainable and well rounded source of plant-based protein, and we haven’t seen enough of it in U.S. markets. Plantible, founded by Tony Martens and Maurits van de Ven in 2016, is changing that.

A member of the aquatic plant genus Lemna, duckweed contains all 9 amino acids, can grow to double its size in 48-72 hours, and can be cultivated on typically non-arable land. When processed correctly, duckweed results in a tasteless, colorless protein isolate with a wide range of applications, from...

Eat Beyond Portfolio Company Nabati Foods Patents New Plant-Based Liquid Egg

Eat Beyond Global Holdings Inc., an investment issuer focused on the global plant-based and alternative food sector, is announcing that its portfolio company Nabati Foods Global Inc. ("Nabati Foods") has patented its new plant-based liquid egg product, Nabati Plant Eggz, in Canada, the United States, and Australia, and is in the process of filing in Europe, and China as well.

The liquid egg alternative is made from lupin and pea protein to mimic the consistency and texture of conventional chicken eggs. Nabati Plant Eggz are designed to be an easy substitute for...

Sweet Earth Foods Debuts New Plant-Based Breakfast Bowls and Reformulated Deli Slices Nationwide

Plant-based foods innovator Sweet Earth Foods is announcing the nationwide launch of their new heat-and-eat Breakfast Bowls and reformulated, ready-to-eat Deli Slices. As consumers return to on-the-go busy lifestyles, these prepared meal and plant-based protein offerings provide quick plant-based solutions.

The three new Sweet Earth Breakfast Bowls meet this demand and are inspired by classic regional scrambles, all while offering between 17 - 20 grams of plant protein and three to five grams of fiber in every bowl. New flavors found in the frozen meals section include...

Cal-Maine Foods Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: CALM) today reported results for the fourth quarter (thirteen weeks) and fiscal year ended May 29, 2021.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 were $349.8 million, compared to $453.3 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company reported a net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to net income of $60.5 million, or $1.25 per basic and...

REPORTER: Manufacturing Holds Egg Products Market Together as Foodservice Demand Returns

This article was originally featured in the Summer 2021 Edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine.

COVID-19 had various impacts on the egg market since Q1 of 2020. Most of the attention was on the record breaking prices of shell eggs during the early stage of the national lockdown, but perhaps the most impactful change surrounded the demand for egg products. As consumers packed their refrigerators and cooked more at home, demand for egg products associated with the foodservice and institutional sector was slashed. This channel absorbs...

Poultry Quarterly Q3 2021: Improving Local Industry Performance, Shifting Trade Flows

The outlook for the global poultry industry continues to improve. This is mainly driven by the reopening of economies as vaccination levels accelerate in developed countries and increase in emerging markets. This will help the recovery of global, regional, and especially foodservice demand, which, on average, makes up one-third of global poultry demand. As supply usually responds slowly to such increases, significant price inflation in 2H 2021 is possible, especially as feed prices remain high and avian influenza has disrupted...

Grubhub Releases Third Annual State of the Plate Report

As we approach a new normal and restaurants reopen, there's a lot to look forward to for the rest of the year. Before looking ahead, let's rewind to see how diners ate their way through the last six months. Grubhub, part of leading global online food delivery marketplace Just Eat Takeaway.com, launched the third annual "State of the Plate" report. Looking at trends from hundreds of thousands average daily orders, Grubhub's mid-year report checks in on what has shaped 2021 thus far, including the top trending foods, popular restaurants across the country, and what we can expect to see more of in the second half of the year.

Unlike 2020, diners opted for the plant-based versions of delivery classics so far in 2021. And while last year's top food, the wildly popular...

ANALYSIS: Production Cuts, Demand Improvements Lift Shell Egg Values for First Time Since March

After what several market sources have referred to as the longest “dry spell” in recent memory, production cuts and demand improvements have...

Poultry Industry and OSHA Partner on Safe + Sound Week

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council (NCC) and National Turkey Federation (NTF) are pleased to again partner with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for Safe + Sound Week, August 9 – 15. Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide effort to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs that include management leadership, worker participation and a systematic approach to finding and correcting hazards in the workplace.

Safe + Sound Week is co-sponsored by the National Safety Council, American Industrial...

USAPEEC: Latest Update On the South Korea HPAI Egg Situation

Since the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) broke out, the consumer price of the egg has been soaring. However, at some point, the egg price is expected to fall from mid-year 2021. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), on June 11th, the domestic price of an egg tray, which is formed of 30 shell eggs, rose 46 percent to 7,557 KRW (6.69 USD), from 5,179 KRW (4.59 USD) the average year.

The HPAI has died down, but the price has not yet come down with it. With the prolongation of COVID-19, consumers tend to stay indoors and avoid eating out. The change in consumer behavior caused an increase in the demand for the egg. According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI), the average purchase of eggs per household in the first quarter of 2021 was...

Chaz Wilson Re-elected Chairman of The Board at USAPEEC 

Chaz Wilson, head of international sales for Pilgrim’s USA in Greeley, Colo., was re-elected chairman of the board of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) for 2021-22 during the 2021 USAPEEC Annual Meeting in Nashville.

Wilson, who has served on the board of directors since 1998, will head the board, which sets policy and provides direction to USAPEEC, an organization whose mission is to promote and increase exports of U.S. chicken, turkey, duck, and egg products worldwide.

Wilson along with the entire executive committee was reelected by the membership due to the extraordinary circumstances caused by the global pandemic which...

Conagra Brands Accelerates Transition to 100% Cage-Free Eggs

Conagra Brands announced the company's plans to accelerate its transition to 100% cage-free eggs, converting 100% of its egg usage to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2024, one year earlier than its original commitment to directly source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025.

Conagra plans to convert approximately 20% of its egg usage to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2021; approximately 45–50% to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2022; approximately...

Just Crack an Egg Introduces Omelet Rounds 

Just Crack an Egg is introducing Omelet Rounds: a protein-packed, baked breakfast option that can be ready in under a minute.

“We love eggs at Just Crack an Egg – is there a more perfect food? Omelets are wonderfully delicious but also tricky to make,” says Maureen O’Neill, Brand Manager for Just Crack an Egg. “With Omelet Rounds, we want to introduce egg-loving fans to a quick and easy-to-prep way to get...

Cuisine Solutions Issues Voluntary Recall of Flavored Plant-Based Bites

Cuisine Solutions is initiating a voluntary recall of its JUST Egg flavored plant-based "bites" products due to undeclared allergens. A limited number of 2-pouch retail packages may contain an incorrect sealed pouch containing whole-egg and milk products. The interior plastic pouches are properly labeled to distinguish the products. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or eggs run the risk of...

What Does Prop 12 Mean for Egg, Veal, and Pork Producers in 2022?

Set to begin on January 1, 2022, there has been much pushback and controversy surrounding the State of California’s Proposition 12: The Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, which California residents first voted to pass in 2018.

Under the new rule, veal calf producers are required to provide their animals with at least 43 square feet of usable floor space per calf. Sows must have a minimum of 24 square feet of usable space per animal and laying hens are required to be cage-free. Prop 12 prohibits the sale in California of meat, poultry, and eggs not raised in compliance with these regulations. Many industry participants and producers have voiced concerns that Prop 12 could...

Freshly Introduces Multi-Serve Proteins and Sides for Mealtime Shortcuts

Freshly Inc., a leading fresh-prepared meal delivery service in the U.S., announced the launch of Proteins & Sides, new menu items offering customers multi-serve portions of eight signature Freshly fan favorites. The chef-cooked, ready-to-heat proteins and side dishes are designed to mix and match for meal customization and use for cooking shortcuts. Perfect to share or provide for multiple meals for one, the new offering gives consumers a time-saving solution to simplify meal prep and supplement Freshly weekly meal plans.

Developed in response to evolving consumer habits coupled with customer feedback on the desire for more options and flexibility when it comes to mealtime, the addition of Proteins & Sides to the menu reinforces...

Denny's Introduces New Menu Items for Summer 

As Americans begin to return to dining rooms, Denny's has a new set of options for those looking for a taste of summer, including the introduction of a monthly Spotlight Stack, a highlighted pancake dish from Denny's collection of fresh buttermilk pancake stacks.

First up on the menu just in time for Flag Day and July Fourth: The Red, White and Blue Pancake Breakfast kicks off summer with festive colors and flavors for dine in, delivery or take out. The new creation features a stack of pancakes crafted with fresh buttermilk and blueberries and topped with freshly sliced strawberries, a drizzle of cream cheese icing and a dollop of sweet, whipped cream, served up with...

Bob Evans Farms Introduces New Breakfast Products

Bob Evans Farms has announced the launch of two new breakfast items. Bob Evans Omelet Rolls and Bob Evans Egg Bites are available in the refrigerated section of grocery stores nationwide.

Made with cage-free eggs, the fillable Bob Evans Omelet Rolls come in three different varieties: Egg with Salt & Pepper, Egg & Cheeses, and Egg White Spinach & Herb. Each of the Omelet Rolls has six to eight grams of protein and provides consumers the flexibility to stuff them with whatever fillings they desire or...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Inventories Mount as Proposition 12 Deadline Draws Closer

While cage-free inventories have been steadily climbing over the past several years as producers prepare for the forthcoming deadlines, USDA data shows they’ve begun to increase at a faster pace in recent weeks, surging...

Cal-Maine Foods Completes Acquisition of Interest in Red River Valley Egg Farm

Cal-Maine Foods announced that the Company has closed the previously announced purchase of the remaining 50 percent joint venture membership interest in Red River Valley Egg Farm, LLC from Rose Acre Farms, Inc, effective May 30, 2021. The entity is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Red River Valley Egg Farm, LLC owns and operates a specialty shell egg production complex with approximately 1.7 million cage-free laying hens, cage-free pullet capacity, feed mill, processing plant, related offices and outbuildings and...

7-Eleven Rolls Out New Breakfast Taquito

7-Eleven is rolling out new breakfast taquitos that will be available 24/7.

Great for breakfast on the run or as a snack any time of day, the crispy flour tortillas are brimming with fluffy scrambled eggs, smoky bacon, diced potatoes, and a blend of cheddar, pepper jack and Monterrey jack cheeses. The suggested retail price is just $1.49, and for a limited time, 7Rewards® members will earn a 200-point bonus with each purchase of the product. Customers can also order the new taquitos...

Kraft Heinz Foods Recalls Chef Francisco Soup Product

Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa establishment, is recalling approximately 13,504 pounds of a frozen foodservice soup product due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced. The product contains milk and eggs, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.

The frozen soup product was produced on October 7, 2020. The following product is subject to recall...

Cal-Maine Foods Acquires Remaining Interest in Red River Valley Egg Farm

Cal-Maine Foods announced that the Company has reached a definitive agreement to purchase the remaining 50 percent membership interest in Red River Valley Egg Farm, LLC from Rose Acre Farms, Inc. The entity will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The purchase price is $48.5 million for the balance of the joint venture’s membership interests.

Red River Valley Egg Farm, LLC owns and operates a specialty shell egg production complex with approximately 1.7 million laying hens, pullet capacity, feed mill, processing plant, related offices and...

Alpha Foods Introduces Plant-based Breakfast Sandwiches and Burritos

As post-pandemic life becomes more of a reality across America and the demand for on-the-go meals increases, Alpha Foods is elevating breakfast with the launch of five new Plant-Based Breakfast Sandwiches and Plant-Based Breakfast Burritos. The new lineup includes: Alpha® Meatless Sausage, Plant Egg & Cheeze Breakfast Sandwich, Alpha® Spicy Chorizo, Plant Egg & Cheeze Breakfast Sandwich, Alpha® Protein Supreme Breakfast Burrito, Alpha® Bac'n Scramble Breakfast Burrito and Alpha® Rockin' Ranchero Breakfast Burrito - all of which come filled with meatless protein, dairy-free cheese, and plant-based eggs. The new breakfast items will hit the frozen aisle of grocery stores nationwide this June.

As the world settles into the new normal and new routines, Alpha Foods developed this breakfast line with more vital iron and fiber than many other breakfast brands for...

ANALYSIS: European Egg White Prices Hit Highest Levels Since 2015 AI Market Highs


Urner Barry's European dried egg white prices have hit the highest levels seen since ATH's reached in 2015, while the global market was dealing with...

Butterfly Acquires a Majority Stake in Leading Premium Egg Company Pete and Gerry’s Organics

Butterfly, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm specializing in the food sector, announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Pete and Gerry’s Organics, LLC, the nation’s leading producer of organic, free-range and pasture-raised eggs under the Pete and Gerry’s Organic®, Nellie’s Free Range® and Consider Pastures™ brands. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Pete and Gerry’s is Butterfly’s latest investment within its “seed to fork” approach to investing in food across agriculture, aquaculture, food and beverage products, food distribution and foodservice. Pete and Gerry’s CEO, Jesse Laflamme, will retain an ownership position and continue to help...

ANALYSIS: Egg Prices Sink to Under a Dollar as Inventories Climb to a Near-Record High

For the first time since mid-January, shell egg prices have once again dropped below the dollar mark amid disappointing retail sales and mounting...

American Egg Board Names Mike Hostetler Director of Consumer Insights

The American Egg Board (AEB) today named Mike Hostetler to the newly created role of director of consumer insights. Reporting to VP Insights & Innovation Nate Hedtke, Hostetler will lead development of the AEB’s planned insights hub — a new integrated consumer, customer and egg industry research and intelligence center to support marketing, innovation and strategic initiatives at the industry level and increase demand for eggs and egg products.

An accomplished research, analytics and insights expert, Hostetler brings more than 15 years of food industry expertise and experience leading insight generation to identify innovation opportunities and...

Jimmy Dean Launches New Breakfast Nuggets and Skillets 

Jimmy Dean is helping keep breakfast exciting with new Breakfast Nuggets and Skillets varieties.

"We know it's important to people to have a variety of breakfast options in order to keep mornings delicious and fun," said Scott Glenn, senior director of marketing, Jimmy Dean brand. "We believe breakfast helps people have a great start to their day, whether on-the-go with our bite-sized Breakfast Nuggets, or...

Plant-Based Food Sales Surpass $7 Billion, Sales Up 27% in 2020

According to the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods continued to increase by double digits in 2020, growing 27% and bringing the total market value to $7 billion. This sales growth was consistent across the country, with more than 25% growth in every U.S. census region.

In the past two years, plant-based food sales have grown 43%, which is nine times faster than total food sales. In 2020, about 57% of all U.S. households purchased plant-based foods, up from 53% in 2019 totaling 71 million households.

PBFA also found that the value of plant-based meat, while the second-largest plant-based category, hit $1.4 billion in 2020. That represents sales growth of 45% from 2019. The plant-based meat category grew twice as fast as...

ANALYSIS: Easter Demand for Shell Eggs Not All It Was Cracked Up to Be

Since the start of last week, shell-egg prices have plunged 19% thanks to lackluster Easter demand and, in turn, mounting inventories...

American Egg Board Unveils 44th Annual First Lady's Commemorative Egg

The American Egg Board (AEB) has unveiled the 2021 First Lady's Commemorative Egg along with a historic pledge by America's egg farmers to donate more than 90 million eggs this year to food banks across the country. The record-breaking commitment was shared in conjunction with the 44th annual presentation of the First Lady's Commemorative Egg, a symbolic gift for Dr. Jill Biden and an Easter tradition on behalf of America's egg farmers.

"For more than 40 years, the presentation of the First Lady's Commemorative Egg by America's egg farmers has been a cherished springtime tradition celebrating our nation's first ladies. We are honored to continue that tradition with Dr. Biden this year by also pledging to donate more than...

Poultry Quarterly Q2 2021: The Bumpy Road to Recovery

The outlook for the global poultry industry is gradually improving, but big differences remain between countries, and global poultry trade is still very competitive. The industry is facing major challenges due to Covid-19-related market disruption, very high and volatile feed prices, avian influenza (AI) in the northern hemisphere, and volatility coming from a bumpy recovery in countries affected by African swine fever (ASF). Key for producers will be to have a very disciplined supply growth, a focus on cost reduction via procurement, production efficiency, and feed formulation, as well as being prepared for big swings in demand driven by Covid-19-related government decisions.

As countries reopen foodservice, and while their control of Covid-19 improves, the poultry industry will start to recover. On average, 35% of global poultry consumption is via foodservice. “In countries where several of these disruptive factors come together, broiler prices have risen to high levels. Some governments have started to...

Cal-Maine Foods Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 (thirteen weeks) and thirty-nine-week period ended February 27, 2021.

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 were $359.1 million, a 3.9 percent increase compared to $345.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company reported net income of $13.5 million, or $0.28 per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to net income of $13.7 million, or $0.28 per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

For the thirty-nine weeks ended February 27, 2021, net sales were $999.2 million, an 11.2 percent increase compared with $898.3 million for the prior-year period. The Company reported net income of...

REPORTER: Working From Home Could Signal New Trends in Egg Consumption

This article was originally featured in the Spring 2021 Edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine.

2020 is a year that will undoubtedly live forever in the minds of those who endured its many trials, conjuring ruminations of toilet paper shortages, driveby birthday celebrations, and our collective fascination with “Joe Exotic,” a mullet-wearing zookeeper. But as the adage goes, “this too shall pass.” And as we turn the page to 2021...

Eat Just Closes $200 Million in New Funding to Accelerate Growth

Eat Just, Inc., announced that it has secured $200 million in a new funding round led by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar; joined by private investment firm Charlesbank Capital Partners and Vulcan Capital, the investment arm of the estate of Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul G. Allen.

The industry-leading food tech startup, which has raised more than $650 million since its founding in 2011, will add QIA and Charlesbank to its Board of Directors. BofA Securities, Inc., acted as lead placement agent and ABG, LLC, advised on the investment that will be used to build capacity for...

Regulatory and Policy Update: What the Change in Administration Could Mean for the Meat Industry

With the change in administration, participants in the meat industry are closely eyeing what new leadership at USDA and other regulatory bodies could mean for areas including food safety, worker safety, and animal welfare. 

In the virtual 2021 Annual Meat Conference, a panel of leading experts in regulatory and policy issues discussed updates on these factors and what industry participants at all levels might need to be prepared for in 2021. 

Panelists included Casey Gallimore, Director and Scientific Affairs, North American Meat Institue; and Andrew Harig, Vice President, Tax, Trade, Sustainability & Policy Development, FMI.  

Harig kicked off the panel by noting how Washington in March 2021 is drastically different from Washington in March 2020...

Hardeman Egg Group Acquires Adriaan Goede B.V.

Both companies have this week announced the acquisition of Adriaan Goede B.V. by Hardeman Egg Group. With this move, Hardeman Egg Group is strengthening its position in the egg market, with Adriaan Goede B.V. boosting its future market position.

Adriaan Goede B.V., a private limited company, has a long history and is one of the oldest egg product companies in the world. In the past 126 years, the company has evolved into an efficient and high-quality egg products company, exporting to more than 30 countries in the world.

Over the past four generations, the world of eggs and egg products has changed dramatically. The demand for many different types of eggs and egg products with higher and...

Newly Appointed Members and Alternates for the American Egg Board Commence Two-Year Service Term

Nine newly appointed members and nine alternates representing egg farmers across the country were officially installed at today’s annual meeting of the American Egg Board, starting their service on behalf of America’s egg farmers and the entire egg industry. Appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture earlier this year, the appointees will serve two-year terms ending March 2023. The American Egg Board is comprised of 18 members and 18 alternates and represents the interests of all U.S. egg farmers. Appointments originate through a nominating process from...

PODCAST: Rolling with the Punches - Cage-Free Expansions and More Impacting the Egg Market

Egg market guru Brian Moscogiuri fills us in this week on 52-week highs in the egg product market thanks to foodservice recovery, Avian Influenza in Asia affecting the export market, and the cage-free movement’s impact on the shell egg and egg product markets. Hosted by Laura Zinger, the latest episode of Urner Barry’s Market Digest fills us in on the egg market in 2021.

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.

ANALYSIS: Egg Prices Surge to 11-Month High on Strong Retail, Foodservice, Export Demand

A combination of retail, foodservice and export demand sent shell-egg prices soaring to an 11-month high this week. After holding steady for more than...

Popeyes Announces New Quality and Sustainability Commitments

Popeyes has announced new food quality commitments for the next 5 years as part of the Restaurant Brands for Good sustainability plan. The commitments are part of the brand’s work to serve responsibly sourced, high quality and great tasting food every day while continuously working to reduce its environmental footprint.

Real Ingredients - Popeyes® is working on removing colors, flavors and preservatives from artificial sources from fried chicken menu items in the U.S. by the end of 2022, starting with its famous Popeyes® Chicken Sandwich.

Antibiotics - Popeyes® is eliminating antibiotics important to human medicine from their chicken supply chain in the US and Canada by the end of 2021. This new sourcing policy supports...

NAMI Asks Supreme Court to Review Case Against California’s Prop 12

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) filed a petition for a writ of certiorari asking the Supreme Court of the United States to review an earlier ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the Meat Institute’s challenge to the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 12: The Farm Animal Confinement Initiative (Prop 12 or the law). The Meat Institute opposes the law because it is unconstitutional and will hurt the nation’s food value chain by significantly increasing costs for producers and consumers. The petition may be found here, appendix here.

“Prop 12 hurts the family on a budget by causing higher prices for pork, veal and eggs, and unfairly punishes livestock producers outside of California by forcing them to...

APHIS Reflects on 2015 HPAI Outbreak and Addresses the Importance of Biosecurity

In a recent webinar hosted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Dr. Dale Lauer, Dr. Rocio Crespo, and Dr. Denise Heard reflected on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak of 2015, and steps that can be taken to protect poultry flocks going forward.

HPAI can be spread from bird to bird through direct or indirect contact with infected birds including feathers, bodily discharge, or from the equipment, hands, shoes, and clothes of caretakers. Signs of the disease include depression, decreased feed and water intake, runny eyes and nose, and swollen head. The disease can affect an entire flock and has a death rate up to...

Beyond Meat Announces Global Strategic Agreements with McDonald's and Yum! Brands 

Following the release of its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2020, Beyond Meat announced a global strategic partnership with McDonald's and Yum! Brands to offer signature plant-based menu items.

As part of the three-year global agreement with McDonald's, Beyond Meat will be the preferred supplier for the patty in the McPlant, a new plant-based burger being tested in select McDonald's markets globally. Additionally, Beyond Meat and McDonald's will explore developing other plant-based menu items together, including options for chicken, pork, and eggs, as part of McDonald's broader McPlant platform.

The announcement further solidifies the relationship between McDonald's and Beyond Meat, which began in 2019 with the test of...

From Animal Meat to Fungi, U.S. Consumers Tap into A Host of Sources to Get Protein into Their Diets

The want of more protein in their diets have U.S. consumers seeking the coveted macronutrient from a variety sources, reports The NPD Group. Protein, the nutritional counterpart to fat and carbohydrates, is considered the body’s building blocks, and can be found in a long list of foods, like seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, legumes, and vegetables.

In order to get more protein into their diets, consumers are availing themselves to all of these types of foods in addition to whatever might be the trendy protein of the day, like fungi, according to NPD’s Eating Patterns in America, an annual compilation of the company’s daily tracking of U.S. consumers’ eating behaviors away from and...

A Look at Protein Demand as the Six-Week Lenten Period Begins 

As the six-week Lenten period leadup to Easter begins, foodservice and retail are catering to those who cannot eat meat at least one day a week. As SeafoodNews reported, restaurants like Bojangles, White Castle, and Quizno’s are just a few offering seafood items for a limited time.

Last year, Popeyes brought in a limited time Buttermilk Biscuit Shrimp offering for Lent. To switch things up this year, Popeyes introduced a new contender in the "Chicken Sandwich Wars," a Cajun Flounder Sandwich. But how could a new fish sandwich offering during Lent impact the chicken sandwich battle, which has become...

VIDEO: Morning Market Roundup Feb 16

Watch Urner Barry's reporters give insight into what is happening in the markets for hogs, beef, eggs and turkey....

Jimmy Dean Introduces New Breakfast Bites 

Jimmy Dean is introducing two new breakfast favorites in the form of warm, poppable bites. New Jimmy Dean Loaded Sausage Bites and Jimmy Dean Omelet Minis are made with premium, signature seasoned Jimmy Dean breakfast meats, real eggs and cheese and are served in a convenient single-serve cup, ready to enjoy in seconds at home or on-the-go.

"Breakfast habits continue to change as families navigate new routines," said Chris Olson, senior brand manager, Jimmy Dean brand. "At the start of 2020, people were cooking every meal at home, including breakfast. Over time, however, peoples' energy for making multiple fresh meals throughout the day has waned, with...

AllCart, a New Grocery Savings App Launches to Help Consumers Save on Groceries

AllCart, announced the launch of the AllCart app, a free app that helps shoppers find the best local deals. AllCart is available on iTunes, Google Play and directly on AllCart's website. In today's market, American consumers committed to the best deals and spending less time in-short due to the pandemic, do not have many choices as popular services charge both shoppers and merchants exorbitant fees. AllCart addresses all these challenges in a seamless way that benefits all parties.

The proprietary data and algorithms powering AllCart's 90,000 stores' sales flyer analysis, provides app users with a simple way to identify the best grocery deals. This has helped consumers to save as much as...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Drop 10.5% WoW as Retail Demand Eases, Inventory Grows

U.S. shell egg prices fell 10.5% this week, thanks to easing retail demand and mounting inventory levels. While sources have been reporting fair to fairly good retail sales, they have...

U.S. Poultry and Egg Exports Soared in 2020

U.S. broiler and egg exports increased in both volume and value in 2020, a year in which the industry set several all-time records in key markets despite the complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to trade data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, the value of broiler exports to China reached an all-time high; the volume of broiler exports to Mexico was...

American Egg Board Partners with Wendy's to Drive Breakfast Menu Trial

The American Egg Board (AEB) recently joined forces with Wendy's to help further the brand's successful expansion into the breakfast daypart, partnering on a custom social media influencer program that leveraged consumer affinity for eggs to drive off-premise breakfast consumption in key markets.

"Wendy's was built on fresh, real ingredients — and our recently launched breakfast menu is no exception," said John Li, vice president of culinary innovation at Wendy's. "Our partnership through the AEB's new program helped us expand on consumer demand for a high-quality breakfast by highlighting...

VIDEO: Morning Market Roundup Feb 2

Watch Urner Barry's reporters give insight into what is happening in the markets for chicken, pork, beef and eggs....

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Surge to Nine-Month High Amid Demand Increases, Flock Rotations

Shell egg prices have climbed to the highest levels seen since mid-April, thanks to extraordinarily robust retail demand, strong international call and...

Cargill Expands Value-Added Protein Footprint Through Acquisition of ProPortion Foods

Cargill, the global food, agricultural, financial and industrial products company, announced the expansion of its value-added protein footprint through the acquisition of ProPortion Foods, a food manufacturer that supplies a variety of innovative fully cooked products, portion control steaks and marinated ready-to-grill meats.

Through the purchase, which closed in December 2020, Cargill gains two further-processed protein plants in Round Rock, Texas and Vernon, California. The Round Rock and Vernon facilities will deliver a variety of quality, fully cooked protein products for Cargill’s...

Plant-Based JUST Egg Sous Vide Coming to Grocery Stores

Eat Just, Inc., and Cuisine Solutions, Inc., announced the forthcoming U.S. retail availability of JUST Egg Sous Vide bites, which is part of an exclusive agreement whereby Cuisine Solutions will develop and produce Eat Just’s plant-based sous vide egg around the globe. French for “under vacuum,” sous vide is a cooking method in which food is vacuum-sealed and slow-cooked in water at precise temperatures.

The product, which will begin rolling out in March in the freezer section of select grocery stores, comes in four unique and distinct flavors inspired by regional cuisines and whole plants. Flavors include...

KIND Snacks Founder Daniel Lubetzky Invests in Quevos Following Shark Tank Deal

KIND Snacks Founder Daniel Lubetzky has invested in Quevos, a brand of fun and flavorful snacks whose first ingredient is egg whites. As announced on ABC's Shark Tank, Lubetzky will partner with budding entrepreneurs, Quevos Founders Nick Hamburger and Zack Schreier, to help more people discover their introductory line of high protein, high fiber, low carb snacks in bold flavors including Honey Mustard, Cheddar, Sour Cream & Onion, Sweet Barbecue, Quevos Rancheros, Dill Pickle, and Mesquite BBQ.

Lubetzky's investment is a vote of confidence for both Quevos' snacks and co-founders Hamburger and Schreier, who impressed Lubetzky with their entrepreneurial spirit and life-long friendship turned partnership. Leveraging his experience growing KIND from...

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Strikes South Korea’s Layer Houses

As Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) strikes South Korea’s layer houses killing more than 8 million hens, the country’s local shell egg prices have started to soar with a 22.4 percent increase compared with an average year as of Wednesday. Demand is especially high for eggs with the approaching Lunar New Year holiday February 11 - 14. As a result, the Korean government has decided to temporarily eliminate tariffs on egg imports for the first time since 2017.

According to The Korea Herald, South Korea's agricultural ministry said Wednesday it plans to “temporarily remove tariffs on imported egg products to resolve a supply shortage.” The government will...

IHOP Introduces New Signature Burritos and Bowls

IHOP introduced its latest menu innovation, Burritos & Bowls, designed with flavor combinations and easy portability in mind. Starting today, guests can select from a lineup of six different builds – in breakfast, lunch and dinner varieties – all of which can either be wrapped in a flour tortilla or served in a bowl.

The six new Burritos & Bowls flavors range from signature ingredients, like IHOP’s hickory-smoked bacon and include hash browns to hotter fare like poblano queso sauce and...

USDA Offers Additional Assistance for Certain Producers Through Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide additional assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), expanding eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities as well as updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied for the program. Producers who are now eligible and those who need to modify existing applications due to these updates can contact USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) between Jan. 19 and Feb. 26. Some of these changes are being made to align with the recently enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 while others are discretionary changes being made in response to ongoing evaluation of CFAP.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has left a deep impact on the farm economy, and we are utilizing the tools and monies available to ease some of the financial burdens on American producers to ensure...

Contract Broiler Growers Can Begin to Apply for Federal COVID-19 Relief on January 19

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide additional assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), expanding eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities as well as updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied for the program. Producers who are now eligible and those who need to modify existing applications due to these updates can contact USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) between January 19 and February 26.

Contract producers of broilers, pullets, laying hens, chicken eggs (breeders), turkeys and...

American Egg Board Names Mike Koenigs Chief of Operations and Outreach

As part of its new Strategic Vision & Five-Year Plan, the American Egg Board (AEB) announced it has named Mike Koenigs to the newly created position of chief outreach and operations officer, effective immediately.

Reporting directly to AEB President & CEO Emily Metz, Koenigs will oversee and be responsible for driving new efficiencies in the AEB’s finance and human resources functions, while unifying organizational engagement and outreach to egg producers, the food chain, allied industry, government and...

Tyson Introduces New Instant Pot Kit Options

"What's for dinner?" has taken on an entirely new meaning over the last year with more people cooking at home. New flavors of Tyson Instant Pot Kits, Tyson Instant Pot Seasoned Proteins and Tyson Oven Ready Family Size Kits are just what families need to ease the burden and cooking fatigue—protein-packed meals offering that made from scratch taste without the effort.

Cooking and preparing meals from home has increased 67-percent since COVID-19 began. After months of home-cooked meals, families are turning to prepared foods and easy prep meals as a way to...

JUST Egg Product to Be Served at Leading Fast-Food Chain in China

Eat Beyond Global Holdings Inc., an investment issuer focused on the global plant-based and alternative food sector, is announcing that Dicos, one of China's leading fast-food chains, has added Eat Beyond portfolio company Eat Just Inc.'s product JUST Egg to its menu at over 500 locations.

Dicos is one of the largest foodservice companies in China, with 2,600 stores across 32 provinces and autonomous regions serving 600 million consumers annually.

Dicos' conventional egg patty will be replaced with...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Rise Amid Strong Retail Demand, Seasonal Flock Rotations

After holding steady for more than two weeks, shell egg prices got a push to the upside today amid strong retail demand and...

REPORTER: Egg Product Markets Rally to Second Half Highs

Though retail demand for shell eggs has run significantly above average since the peak pandemic period, foodservice demand has struggled to return to normal volumes. As much as 22% of all U.S. production is destined for this channel, around 7% being shell eggs and the rest going into the sector in the form of egg products.

Processors have been forced to reduce outputs over the last eight months, evident in the USDA’s Eggs Processed Under Federal Inspection report, which showed total cases broken running at about 1.1 million a week from...