Proposition 12 Has Been Upheld — What We Know So Far

Following several years of contention, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold Proposition 12 on May 11, 2023. Proposition 12 is a California law that sets animal-welfare standards for meat sold within the state. Click here for the ruling.

Below is a fact sheet on Proposition 12 as it pertains to pork and hogs compiled by Urner Barry's market reporters. Urner Barry will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates when possible.

Quick Facts:

• California defines “confined in a cruel manner” as a breeding pig with less than 24 Sq ft of room
  • California represents ~12-13% of US pork demand
  • There were only six farms in CA in 2017 that sold more than 5000 hogs...

United Natural Foods Advancing Initiatives to Improve the Effectiveness and Efficiency Supply Chain

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) today announced further actions to significantly improve its supply chain capabilities and overall customer experience as part of its four-part transformation agenda to provide increasing value to its customers and suppliers, effectiveness and efficiency in its operations, and enhanced value for its shareholders. These actions include improved operating procedures, increased associate training programs, and the deployment of technological improvements, such as the rollout of Systems Application Enterprises, Inc. (SAE) scanning technology, and plans for a new Symbotic Inc. (NASDAQ: SYM)...

Brinker International Names New Supply Chain Leader

Brinker International, Inc. recently announced James Butler has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer. In his new role, Butler oversees all supply chain functions, including procurement, food safety and quality assurance, distribution and logistics, brand program management and supply chain systems for Brinker's corporate-owned restaurants.

"James is a visionary leader who builds collaborative, integrated teams and coaches future leaders to continually improve and drive results," said Kevin Hochman, President and CEO of Brinker International. "He will play a key role in executing on our new strategic...

Beef Quarterly Q4 2022: As the US Goes, So Goes the World

Beef markets are still performing well, but macroeconomic pressures are building up beneath the surface. Cattle prices are generally favorable, supported by seasonal conditions and consumer demand. But consumer confidence is waning, given the slowing economic backdrop, which may yet cause demand to soften. We see emerging supply-side dynamics that will also influence markets. The central question is whether beef markets are shaped more by demand-side or supply-side pressures as we head into 2023...

ADM and Partners Awarded Field to Market’s Collaboration of the Year Award 

ADM and its partners, Keurig Dr Pepper, PepsiCo, and Practical Farmers of Iowa, have won the Field to Market: Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture™ 2022 Collaboration of the Year Award for their regenerative agriculture project supporting Nebraska farmers. The award, one of Field to Market’s Sustainability Leadership Awards, recognizes an outstanding collaboration and cross-sector partnership in advancing continuous improvement in sustainable agriculture at the field and landscape level.

The project, “Supporting Nebraska Farmers to Boost Resiliency Via Cover Cropping,” provides farmers with technical assistance, peer support networks...

Lineage Logistics Extends U.S. EPA SmartWay® Transport Partnership

Lineage Logistics, LLC, the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, today announced it has renewed its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership, a program that provides a framework to assess the environmental performance and energy efficiency of goods moving through supply chains so partnering companies can reduce their environmental footprint.

Launched in 2004, the SmartWay program helps companies advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking and improving freight transportation efficiency. Moreover, the program also helps companies select more efficient...

Blue Apron Is Now Available in the U.S. Amazon Store Without a Subscription

Blue Apron is now offering meal kits without a subscription in the U.S. Amazon store. This is a continued expansion of the company’s third-party channel strategy to increase exposure to a wider pool of potential customers outside of its ecosystem.

“Our customers regularly tell us how much they love our meals. By offering a selection of products in the U.S. Amazon store, we are able to provide Amazon customers the opportunity to buy a range of chef-curated meals that will arrive quickly to their door...” 

CDFA Finalizes Proposition 12 Regulations—What Lies Ahead?

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has finalized the Proposition 12 implementation rules, which can be found here. The finalized regulations are similar to the second modified text, which was released in June of this year. 

According to an FAQ on CDFA's website, Proposition 12 is a "ballot initiative passed in 2018 by California voters that prohibits confining farm animals (egg-laying hens, veal calves and breeding pigs) in a cruel manner and prohibits the sale of products (eggs, veal meat and pork meat) from farm animals confined in a cruel manner into California commerce."

The law mandates minimum housing space requirements for breeding pigs, veal calves, and egg-laying hens and was originally set to begin on January 1, 2022. However, a ruling earlier this year delayed Proposition 12 for 180 days after the final rules went into effect...

Urner Barry Releases August Pulse Protein Report

As of August 8, Ethiopia remains in the top spot of the dried pea export value chart. China still holds the fourth spot, and a 90% decrease in value year-over-year was noted. Meanwhile, Canada is in the first spot for lentils again, however with a 19% decrease in value. Peru is maintaining the fifth-place spot for lentils, keeping India out of the top five countries in the export value chart. Pakistan continues to hold the top spot for dried chickpea exports this August, with an 84% decline in value year-over-year.

The U.S. exports to over 70 countries and has been a net exporter of dry peas and lentils for at least three decades. However, the 2021/22 marketing year is anticipated to be...

Lineage Logistics acquires Cold Storage Nelson for major expansion into New Zealand

Lineage Logistics, LLC., the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, today announced it has acquired leading New Zealand cold storage business, Cold Storage Nelson Limited (“CSN”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“CSN has industry-leading skills in inventory control, compliance and traceability,” Mr. Jeff Rivera, Lineage’s Global Chief Operations Officer, said. “CSN’s facilities, combined with our industry-leading technology and innovation, will assist New Zealand customers to navigate increasing supply chain demands in New Zealand and internationally..."

Urner Barry Releases July Pulse Protein Report

Dry pea supplies in 2021/22 are tight with production down 60% year-over-year. The USDA reported that dry pea stocks were down by about 50% in December from the previous year, the lowest levels since 2012. Lentil supplies are also lower than the year prior, with production down 55%.

According to the National Weather Service, a massive heat wave is engulfing much of the Midwest and into the Southern tier of the United States. Excessive heat warnings were in effect last week, with...

Urner Barry Releases June Pulse Protein Report

Dry bean exports during the current marketing year were at a record low for the first 6 months of the September-February timeframe. Exports are currently averaging 44% below the previous year at 278 million pounds. Historically, the 2021/22 volume is 36% below the 32-year average. Also, the six-month export volume in 2004/05 was the only marketing year that was lower than the current one over the past 32 years.

Although slightly improved from the pandemic-related conditions of 2020, international trade markets remain hindered by port congestion, internal shipping delays, container availability, and trade route challenges stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war. Meanwhile, pea producers in some Russian regions face losing...

USDA to Invest up to $65 Million in Pilot Program to Strengthen Food Supply

President Biden joined leaders from across the Western Hemisphere to present the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection at the Summit of the Americas. The Declaration seeks to mobilize the entire region around strong actions to bring the historic migration crisis under control. The Declaration is organized around three key pillars: (1) stabilization; (2) legal pathways and protections; and (3) humane migration management. In preparation for the Summit, the United States and other countries in the region developed a suit of bold new...