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...

The Latest Market Briefing is Here! 

Breakdown the poultry, egg, red meat and seafood markets with exclusive analysis from UB Market Reporters

Urner Barry is the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry. Through daily canvasses of the trade and an unrivaled historical database, our analysts are uniquely positioned to report on the underlying conditions and significant disruptors to the market. 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...

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 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...

Top Meat, Poultry, Egg and Seafood Price Action Broken Down in the Latest Market Briefing 

Urner Barry is the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry. Through daily canvasses of the trade and an unrivaled historical database, our analysts are uniquely positioned to report on the underlying conditions and significant disruptors to the market. 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...

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...

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 Coronavirus Special Report - Volume IV

The global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted consumer behavior, distribution, production, and market prices in a way we have never seen before. 

Now, as reopening efforts are underway, the latest business environment is a completely new venture for the food industry with its own learning curve. Both retail and foodservice have been forced to make sweeping changes in their respective sectors and adaptability remains key. Production setbacks were arguably one of the biggest challenges the meat industry faced in the last few months of the pandemic, but capacity has since largely returned to normal.

As we near the end of summer, seasonal shifts are also in play...

Urner Barry's Coronavirus Special Report - Volume III

The global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted consumer behavior, distribution, production, and market prices in a way we have never seen before. From stay-at-home directives that spurred a run on retail while foodservice operations were limited or halted all-together, to production cutbacks caused by labor shortages at the plant level, the industry has had much to contend with over the past several months.

Now, as many states have begun reopening phases, the industry is making strides in returning to a more “normal” business environment—however the face of this new normal will likely look a bit different...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Come Under Pressure as Retail Demand Slips, Supplies Mount

U.S. shell egg prices are coming under pressure once again as retail demand begins to ease and supplies become increasingly available. After holding steady for...

Urner Barry Insights Presents: COVID-19 and the Egg Market 

Recently, the egg market has seen volatility of unprecedented levels. Egg and egg products have seen both record highs and lows over the last few weeks. To help you understand the current trends and challenges facing producers and buyers, Urner Barry Insights hosted an exclusive webinar with Director and Egg Market Reporter, Brian Moscogiuri. 

In case you missed it, view a recording of the webinar HERE. 

Urner Barry's Coronavirus Special Report - Volume II

View the full report HERE.

Urner Barry Insights: An Exclusive Webinar on the Egg Market Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Join us on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at 2pm EST for an Urner Barry Insights webinar covering the recent volatility in the egg market following the onset of COVID-19 impacts.

Recently, the egg market has seen volatility of unprecedented levels. Egg and egg products have seen both record highs and lows over the last few weeks. Tune in for a market update from Urner Barry’s own Brian Moscogiuri to understand the current trends and challenges facing producers and buyers.

Click HERE to register...

ANALYSIS: Egg Products Market Reeling in the Wake of Foodservice Shutdowns

Roughly one out of every three table eggs produced in the United States is broken by further processors to create egg products. This liquid, dried or frozen egg is...

FDA Provides Temporary Flexibility Regarding the Egg Safety Rule

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released a guidance document, Temporary Policy Regarding Enforcement of 21 CFR Part 118 (the Egg Safety Rule) During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to provide producers of shell eggs that normally would be sent to facilities for further processing the flexibility to sell their eggs for distribution to retail locations, such as supermarkets, when certain conditions are present. This flexibility will help egg producers meet increased demand for shell eggs by consumers at retail locations.

The FDA rule, Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation, requires producers of shell eggs that are sold to...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Coming Under Pressure as Foodservice Demand Slows, Frees Supply

After a more than three-week rally that saw prices surge to record-high levels, the shell egg market has come under pressure amid shifting demand patterns. Just as retail demand...

FDA Issues Temporary Policy Regarding Packaging and Labeling of Shell Eggs

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a critical role in protecting the United States from threats including emerging infectious diseases, including the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. FDA is committed to providing timely guidance to support continuity and response efforts to this pandemic.

FDA is issuing this guidance to provide temporary flexibility regarding certain packaging and labeling requirements for shell eggs sold in retail food establishments so that industry can meet the increased demand for shell eggs during the COVID-19 pandemic...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Soar to Record High Levels as COVID-19 Demand Persists, Inventories Drop

U.S. shell egg prices soared to fresh all-time highs today, as retail demand continues to come in at levels never-before seen due to COVID-19. The early round of buying witnessed a few weeks ago was...