Olymel to Close Quebec Processing Facility Focused on Poultry

Canadian meat processor Olymel announced last Friday the definitive closure of its Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu plant as of 19 July.

The plant had mainly processed poultry products, although it also made a small number of pork products.

“This decision comes against a backdrop of falling production volumes, which has led the plant to operate at only 40% of its operational capacity,” explained the company. “A reorganization of production within the Olymel family will enable operations to be redeployed to neighbouring plants with residual capacity to handle these volumes.”...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports Tonnage: Greater Than What Meets the Eye

The turkey export figures were quite a sight to behold throughout the month of February. At 36.4 million pounds, total outward tonnage rose on a year-over-year (YoY) basis for the ninth consecutive month in a row. The most recent data gave way to a notable 46% advance from 2023. This was enough to position February’s closing figure at the highest seasonal level observed since 2021.

Total export value also realized a 20% uptick from the previous year. Although month-over-month (MoM) volume retreated by 0.07%...

USDA Under Secretary Alexis Taylor to Lead Historic Native Nations Agribusiness Trade Mission 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead an historic agribusiness trade mission to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from June 17-20, 2024. This USDA mission will be the first of its kind, specifically highlighting products made and produced by tribal agribusinesses.

USDA is excited the trade mission will highlight the reinvigoration of historic agricultural trade networks amongst Native Nations across the United States and Canada. Participants will be tribal producers with the Made/Produced by American Indians...

ANALYSIS: December Turkey Exports Leave Room For Interpretation

While Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been slow to relinquish its ugly grasp on the turkey industry, December’s ending export figures didn’t deviate too far from the established seasonal course.

As 2023 came to a close, total outbound volume hit 42.1 million pounds. So what does this mean for market participants? Sentiment is highly dependent on one’s vantage point. On one hand, December’s export tally marks a significant 43.1% advance when compared to the year prior. On the opposite hand, it is important to bear in mind that 2022’s sweeping...

Technomic Releases 2024 Global and Canadian Foodservice Trend Predictions

Technomic has released predictions on what will impact the restaurant industry internationally over the next year in its 2024 Global Restaurant Trends Forecast and What's in Store for 2024 in Canada.

"Industry headwinds moderated over the past year, and 2024 promises the hope of a more predictable atmosphere relative to labor, inflation and supply," said Aaron Jourden, director of international research and insights at Technomic. "But international conflicts, extreme weather and the many seen and unseen effects of the pandemic may still create newfound uncertainty that negatively impacts many aspects of...