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...

International Dairy Queen On Track to Meet Cage-Free Egg Commitment in 2025

International Dairy Queen Corporation (IDQ) announced it is on track to meet its cage-free egg commitment in the U.S. and Canada for shell eggs, liquid eggs and DQ® proprietary products by 2025.

“In 2016, we made a commitment to animal welfare when we announced our transition to cagefree eggs in the U.S. and Canada by 2025,” said Steve Min, Executive Vice President of Research and Development at International Dairy Queen. “As we continue to make progress toward our goal, we reduced...

Cal-Maine Foods Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. reported results for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 (thirteen weeks) and twenty-six-week period ended November 28, 2020.

Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 were $347.3 million, an 11.5 percent increase compared to $311.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company reported net income of $12.2 million, or $0.25 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to a net loss of $10.1 million, or...

Dunkin' Introduces New Plant-Based Breakfast Sandwich 

As the trend of Americans adding plant-based options to their diet blossoms, Dunkin' continues to give on-the-go consumers more ways to easily make plant-based food and beverages part of their day. Following the success of last year's Beyond Sausage® Breakfast Sandwich launch, the brand is beginning 2021 by adding another plant-based protein patty to its menu, teaming up with America's #1 veggie brand, MorningStar Farms®, to launch the new Southwest Veggie Power Breakfast Sandwich, a meatless sandwich that doesn't sacrifice on taste, now available for a limited time at participating Dunkin' restaurants nationwide.

The Southwest Veggie Power Breakfast Sandwich features a MorningStar Farms Black Bean Patty packed with southwest flavors, layered with...

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...

FDA Warns Whole Foods Market After Repeated Food Recalls for Undeclared Allergens

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a warning letter issued to Whole Foods Market for a pattern of receiving and offering for sale misbranded food products necessitating a series of food recalls for allergens. In the last year, Whole Foods Market has recalled more than 30 food products because the presence of major food allergens was not listed on the finished product labels. The FDA noticed similar patterns of numerous recalls by Whole Foods Market for undeclared allergens in previous years as well. These products included...

Understanding Price Risk Management: an Interview with Stable

Urner Barry sat down with Richard Counsell to understand more about Stable’s business and the help they are providing the industry with their risk management tools. Growing up with a farming background in the southern UK, Richard spent his early career managing both commodity and technology focused businesses in London, Chicago and Melbourne. As the CEO of Stable, Richard currently divides his time between London, Minneapolis and Bermuda, expanding Stable's global platform to match complex commodity risks with simple financial solutions.

1. For the readers who have not yet heard of Stable, can you give a quick summary of your business?

Stable offers customizable price risk management tools across untraded, non-futures based agricultural markets. Our aim is to...

NAMI’s Challenge of California’s Prop 12 Receives Key Support

The North American Meat Institute’s (Meat Institute) lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12) received key support from the federal government and 20 states with the filing of two amicus briefs.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed an amicus brief in support of the Meat Institute’s petition for rehearing en banc in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

In addition, the States of...

Cal-Maine Foods Announces $40.1 Million Capital Project to Expand Cage-Free Production in Kentucky

Cal-Maine Foods announced that its Board of Directors has approved a $40.1 million capital project to expand the Company’s cage-free egg production at its Guthrie, Kentucky, production facility. The project will include related site work and the additional infrastructure to convert existing conventional capacity to house approximately 1.5 million cage-free hens and 300,000 pullets.

Construction will commence immediately with initial conversions expected in early 2021, first pullet placements by summer 2021 and the first layer house finished by fall 2021. Project completion is expected by...

Plant-Based Dairy and Egg Product Sales Reach $4 Billion in 2020

Market research firm Packaged Facts projects retail sales of plant-based dairy and egg products will rise at an average annual rate of 6.0%, reaching $5.2 billion by 2024. This is up from $4.3 billion in estimated sales in 2020, which itself is up from $3.9 billion in sales during 2019.

These findings were published in the brand new Packaged Facts report Dairy & Egg Alternatives: Outlook for Plant-Based & Cell-Cultured Consumer Products.

Despite potential industry disruptors such as the lingering economic impact of...

Barchart and Urner Barry Partner on Distribution for Benchmark Protein Prices

Barchart, a leading provider of market data and technology services to the financial, media and commodity industries; and Urner Barry, the leading publisher of market news and prices for the food industry, jointly announce a data and price distribution partnership for the global food and beverage market.

Under the terms of the agreement, Urner Barry will join Barchart’s cmdty Pricing Network (CPN), where their benchmark poultry, egg, meat, and seafood prices will be made available to...

Protein Market Buying Opportunities 

As COVID-19 continues to impact consumer habits across the globe, many protein markets are experiencing unusual or contra-seasonal trends through the holiday season. Highlighted are just a few items that might be catching the eye of wholesale and distribution buyers in early December...

U.S. Poultry Industry Provides 2.1 Million Jobs; Economic Impact Up 15 Percent in Two Years

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and United Egg Producers have released an updated economic impact study that highlights the positive impact the poultry industry has on jobs, wages, and federal and state revenue in the United States.

A dynamic and integral part of the national economy, the U.S. poultry industry provides 2,139,617 jobs, $121.1 billion in wages, $576.6 billion in economic activity and...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Drop Amid Lackluster Thanksgiving Demand, Slowing Foodservice

After holding steady for nearly a month, shell egg prices have come under pressure this week amid lackluster Thanksgiving demand and...

Zero Egg Raises $5 Million in Series A Funding

Following its U.S. launch, Zero Egg, a plant-based egg alternative for foodservice and food manufacturers, announced that it has raised $5 million in Series A funding led by Powerplant Ventures, and joined by existing investors Unovis Asset Management-New Crop Capital and Strauss Group-The Kitchen Hub.

The company will use this funding to grow the brand in the U.S. and support its ambitious new product launches in the coming year. With 100 billion eggs consumed each year in the U.S. alone, Zero Egg is focusing on providing affordable, versatile and tasty plant-based egg products.

"By filling the white space in the foodservice industry for plant-based egg alternatives, Zero Egg aims to make plant-based foods the norm and...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Values Hold, Even as Inventories Remain Perched at Near-Record Levels

While it’s quite common – if not expected – to see shell-egg supplies increase in early-November as producers gear up for...

Denny's Adds Melts and Bowls To the Menu

Nothing says fall quite like comfort food and Denny's is delivering with an all new Melts lineup and a new Bowls menu. Available nationwide, Denny's will now feature a selection of warm and cheesy grilled sandwiches served with wavy-cut fries, and two hearty dishes combining flavors and textures for a complete meal in a bowl.

New menu items include...

ANALYSIS: Egg Product Market Comes to Life

Though retail demand for shell eggs has run significantly above norms since the peak pandemic period, foodservice demand has struggled to...

ANALYSIS: U.S. Shell Egg Production Climbs as Suppliers Prepare for Seasonal Demand Increases

The USDA’s monthly Chicken and Eggs Report released this afternoon shows the number of hens laying table-type eggs in the U.S. rose...

Urner Barry's Market Briefing Brings You the Latest in Protein Pricing Insight

In this Market Briefing, Urner Barry reporters outline the latest action in the commodity protein markets, highlighting seasonal factors, disruptors, and current supply and demand fundamentals....

Eat Just and Proterra Asia Partner on JUST Egg Protein Facility and Expansion

Eat Just, Inc. announced a partnership with a consortium led by Proterra Investment Partners Asia Pte. Ltd. (Proterra Asia), an investment management firm focused on the food and agribusiness sectors, to meet demand for the plant-based JUST Egg in Asia.

The consortium will invest up to $100 million and Eat Just will invest up to $20 million to build and operate their first-in-Asia, and largest, plant protein production facility in Singapore. The resulting Eat Just subsidiary, to be known as Eat Just Asia, will serve JUST Egg manufacturing and distribution partners across Asia.

The partnership combines Eat Just’s proprietary protein separation technology, leadership and innovative business model with...

Zero Egg Cracks U.S. Plant-Based Foodservice Market 

As demand for alternatives to animal products is at an all-time high among omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike, Zero Egg, is cracking the U.S. market by boldly taking over the decades-old traditional World Egg Day on October 9 to introduce the a plant-based egg replacement that tastes, looks, and functions like an ordinary egg, but is entirely made with plants.

Now available to all U.S. foodservice operators and food manufacturers, Zero Egg offers two products, "EGG Basics," crafted to rival ordinary eggs in traditional egg entrees and breakfast dishes, and "BAKE Basics," developed for specialty baking. Both products come in powder form with high yields that offer...

Del Taco Introduces New Menu Items Featuring Cholula Hot Sauce 

Del Taco is introducing a slate of new menu items featuring Cholula Hot Sauce. Taking the main stage is the $1 Crispy Chicken Cholula Taco and the $5 Epic Cholula Crispy Chicken Burrito, which builds on Del Taco’s successful crispy chicken items launched earlier this year.

“We’ve received an incredible response and strong customer demand for our Crispy Chicken since introducing it to our permanent menu this summer. We want to build on that momentum by giving our fans even more crave-worthy flavor options, and what better way to do so than with an iconic hot sauce brand collaboration,” said Tim Hackbardt, Del Taco’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Cholula and tacos are made for each other, but it is amazing poured on just about everything else and that’s why we have it in a burrito, on loaded fries, and in

Smithfield Foods Launches New Power Bites

The Smithfield brand announced that all new Power Bites are here. Power Bites are a breakfast bite of real sausage, egg, and cheese you can eat anywhere. Offered in portable packaging, Power Bites make meal-time awesome for meat lovers. They pack all your favorite ingredients into one bite to provide a boost of flavor and protein. The brand-new line hitting shelves this fall is available in three flavors: Homestyle, Western Style and Meat Lovers.

Smithfield Power Bites require almost zero prep to accommodate active and busy lifestyles; simply heat for 45 seconds in the microwave and eat right out of the container – no fork required. All varieties are fully cooked and made with...

USDA Updates the National Poultry Improvement Plan

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is updating the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) to align with changes in the poultry industry and to incorporate new scientific information and technologies into the NPIP. These updates are consistent with the recommendations approved by representatives from across the poultry industry at the 2018 NPIP Biennial Conference.

In this update, APHIS is...

ANALYSIS: U.S. Breaking Stock Values Surge on Strong Exports, Government Buying

U.S. breaking stock values have surged 41% over the past two weeks, thanks to strong export demand and...

Cal-Maine Foods Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 (13 weeks) ended August 29, 2020.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 were $292.8 million, a 21.4 percent increase compared to $241.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company reported a net loss of $19.4 million, or $0.40 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to a net loss of $45.8 million, or $0.94 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Dolph Baker, chairman and chief executive officer of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., stated, “Our results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 reflect continued challenging market conditions as we proactively monitor and...

Eat Just Announces Retail Expansion for JUST Egg Product

Eat Just Inc. announced the largest expansion yet for its award-winning plant-based egg. By the end of the month, JUST Egg will be available at more than 17,000 points of retail distribution in the United States, a 40% increase and a testament to the breakout success of the pioneering product that launched nationwide last year.

Walmart will add the original 12-ounce pourable JUST Egg – perfect for scrambles, omelets, quiches, stir-fries and a variety of baking applications – to more than 1,900 stores coast-to-coast after it became a strong seller at hundreds of regional locations. About 900 Food Lion stores in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. and 170 Giant stores in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and...

New Study Finds Many Americans Going Plant-Based for Breakfast 

Over half of Americans are eating fewer animal products since the COVID-19 pandemic began and nearly six in 10 find themselves transitioning to a more flexitarian, or semi-vegetarian diet, citing health as their top reason for making the change, according to a new survey conducted by market research firm OnePoll. The poll of 2,000 adults was commissioned by Eat Just, Inc., a company that applies cutting-edge science and technology to create sustainable foods, ahead of Better Breakfast Month, observed annually in September.

Nearly 60% of respondents in the national general population survey said they “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” when asked whether their eating habits were increasingly shifting to plant-based, with 39% of participants 18-25 years old and 23% of participants 26-41 years old stating that...

Jimmy Dean to Launch New Breakfast Products this Fall 

Jimmy Dean, is bringing two new products to tables, counter tops and desks to enjoy this fall. Jimmy Dean Casserole Bites and Jimmy Dean Delights Breakfast Wraps will join the brand’s product portfolio, delivering new warm and satisfying breakfast options, no matter the morning routine.

“Breakfast plays a comforting role in people’s lives and daily routines, especially as many of us continue to navigate...

Cal-Maine Foods Lawsuit Dismissed in State of Texas

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. issued the following statement regarding dismissal of the State of Texas lawsuit alleging that the Company engaged in price-gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Company’s motion to dismiss was granted on August 13, 2020, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, and therefore the original petition has been dismissed with prejudice. We are grateful the Court dismissed with prejudice all claims brought by...

PODCAST: Urner Barry's Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit

Urner Barry's Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit is a can't miss, online event, combining two of the most important shows in the protein industry. In the lastest UB Market Digest Podcast, Laura Zinger and Brian Moscogiuri discuss why this event is going to be so valuable and what to expect....

Ovostar Reports Operational Results for the First Half of 2020 

Ovostar Union Public Company Limited, a vertically integrated holding company, one of the leading egg and egg products producer in Ukraine, announced its operational results for the six months ended 30 June 2020.

As of 30 June 2020 the Company’s total flock equaled 8.24 mln hens, including 6.91 laying hens (30 June 2019: 7.56 and 6.51 mln hens respectively).

The volume of eggs produced in H1 2020 was 793 mln demonstarting 1% increase YoY (H1 2019: 782 mln). In the reporting period the sales volume in the egg segment totaled...