The Retail Rundown: Holiday Features in Full Display

In the final stretch to Thanksgiving, turkey ads dominate protein advertisements this week with 29 percent, up from 11.8 percent the week prior and surpassing pork's 26.4 percent. Seafood ads come in at 20.2 percent, followed by beef at 16.4 percent. Chicken takes 6 percent, while eggs still have less than one percent of retail buying opportunities.

Fresh whole turkeys account for half of all turkey promotions, with frozen turkeys making up 40.5 percent. While turkeys take center stage, the holiday season also lifts demand for cold-weather comfort foods and convenient...

ANALYSIS: Shifting Retail Turkey Trends, Disease-Related Adjustments

So far this year we’re seeing a major decline in the number of fresh whole turkeys bought from retailers in Q4. Interestingly, this decreased call doesn’t look like it has much to do with the current price of turkey at retail. Additionally, price and distribution changes vary between the different size categories of turkeys, proving that not all turkey is created equal.

The changes to retail price and distribution of the larger turkeys (16-24 lbs. and >24 lbs.) are fairly straightforward. From the start of Q4...

Each Thanksgiving Dinner Requires a National Effort

As friends and family sit down for a Thanksgiving dinner, very few are aware that the feast on their table is a culmination of efforts of farmers from every corner of the United States. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the production of the ingredients that go into a classic Thanksgiving dinner, detailing which states produce the most commodities and the production value of those items. The Market Intel provides context to AFBF’s annual Thanksgiving dinner cost survey, which found the average cost of this year’s classic...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 17 - Thanksgiving Turkey Prices Cheaper in 2024

Jamie chats with Turkey market analyst, Matt Busardo, on the 2024 Thanksgiving cost profile. 

The Retail Rundown: Turkey Takes the Spotlight

According to Circana data, fresh whole turkeys were featured at an average discounted price of $1.48 per pound last week, up from $1.27 per pound during the same period last year.

The most popular turkey sizes, 10–15 and 16–24 pounds, averaged $1.34 per pound, compared to $1.00–$1.10 per pound last year. These prices reflect pre-promotion rates and do not account for additional discounts or free turkey offers.

Whole turkeys are often used as loss leaders to increase holiday store...

Whetstone Distribution Acquires Chicago-Based Anmar Foods 

Whetstone Distribution has acquired Anmar Foods, a Chicago-based meat producer specializing in beef, turkey, chicken, and other animal proteins, including pork, lamb, sausages, and smoked products. 

The acquisition is part of Whetstone’s strategy to expand its regional customer base. The company recently bought several other Chicago-based businesses, including Fulton Market and Pritzlaff Wholesale Meats, as well as Moesle Meats and Queen Foods...

Kroger Reveals Customer Thanksgiving Favorites and Grocery Shopping Habits in Time for The Holidays

In preparation for Thanksgiving, The Kroger Co. surveyed customers to see how they plan to shop and what they plan to eat during the holidays this year.

"Thanksgiving is such a special time of year and we take pride in knowing exactly what is important to our customers during this holiday season," said Tom Duncan, Vice President, Head of Marketing at Kroger. "No matter how they choose to celebrate, we're happy to provide our customers with value on the items they need...

ANALYSIS: Monthly Seasonal Turkey Export Volume Sets Stage for Holidays

From August to September, the total volume of turkey exported decreased month-over-month (MoM) by -6.4%, a slightly more prominent decrease than the 5-year average change of -2.9%. While there were some large MoM increases in export volumes to countries such as Panama, Guatemala, and Jamaica, they did little to sway the overall trend. The volume of U.S. turkey exported to Mexico was responsible for approximately 72.4% of the total export volume. With Mexico importing -8.9% less turkey than the month before, it's no surprise...

The Retail Rundown: This Year's Thanksgiving Dinner May Cost Less 

This week’s protein promotions spotlight seafood, which makes up 33.1 percent of all ads, with pork following at 25.6 percent and beef at 24.3 percent. Chicken features come in at 13 percent, while turkey ads saw a small increase to 3.8 percent, up from 3.3 percent last week but below the 5 percent seen two weeks prior.

Frozen turkeys make up 27 percent of all turkey ads, up 25.7 percent last week, with prices ranging between $2.79 and $5.00 discounted last week.

According to the Expana Thanksgiving Dinner Index 2024...

The Retail Rundown: Holiday Countdown Rapidly Winds Down

With Thanksgiving just three weeks away, the holiday rush is fueling retail traffic as shoppers stock up on essentials. This week, turkey promotions account for 3.3 percent of all protein ads, down from 5 percent the previous week. The number of grocery chains featuring turkeys also declined, with 39 chains participating, compared to 49 chains a week earlier.

Despite fewer promotions, fresh whole turkey sales rose week-over-week, reaching $1.3 million last week, up from $909,368 the week prior, according to Circana...

Thanksgiving Side Dish Showdown: What Do Americans Want to Ban from the Buffet

A New Survey Reveals the Dishes You Can Cut from the Menu to Save Money this Holiday Season.

Thanksgiving is America’s favorite non-denominational holiday. It’s a festive occasion marked by feasts, football, family…and occasional feuding. Tensions may run exceptionally high at the grown-ups’ table this election year, so Savings.com suggests an alternate arena to settle more playful disputes.

White meat or dark? Stuffing or spuds? Should we even call it Turkey Day? Keep conversation light with these collegial controversies and... 

The Retail Rundown: Late-Season Push for Grilling Cuts

As October ends, beef and seafood promotions are neck and neck, each occupying about 25 percent of total advertising space. During the final week of "Pork-tober, pork features account for 20.8 percent of buying opportunities, closely followed by chicken at 20.6 percent.

Though the shift from grilling cuts to roasts has been in motion for a few weeks, a forecast of record warmth in parts of the central and eastern U.S. this week offers a last chance for backyard cooking before winter sets in.

This could spur late-season promotions...

The Retail Rundown: Tuning in to Turkey

Retail promotions for seafood continue to dominate the protein category this week, capturing nearly a third of ad circular space (32 percent). Beef and pork follow, taking up 23 percent and 21.3 percent, respectively. Chicken is up slightly from the previous week at 16 percent. Egg ads held steady at about 3 percent.

Several items were featured at lower prices compared to 2023 last week, with chicken leg quarters averaging $1.55 per pound, 5 cents cheaper than last year. Fresh pork loin prices were down by 2 percent...

ANALYSIS: Turkeys Stuck at Home, Exports Drop in August

On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, total turkey export volumes were down -10% in August, while total export values were up 4%. These numbers could suggest a combination of a few factors. First, export buyers may have been buying less overall production, but the production they were purchasing may have been of a higher value than the previous year.Second, in the case of Mexico, an average YoY increase in the strength of the Mexican peso to the U.S. dollar may have supported Mexican buyers. Last, but certainly not less...

The Retail Rundown:  Port Strike Sends Shockwaves Throughout Supply Chain 

The strike at East and Gulf Coast ports officially began once the calendar turned to October, following unsuccessful contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).

The strike's impact is being felt throughout the supply chain, causing significant disruptions in the flow of goods ahead of the rapidly approaching holiday season. 

In a statement released on Tuesday, USMX stated that its current offer includes a nearly 50% wage increase. In response, ILA said it has rejected USX's offer "because it fails to address...

Hurricane Helene Intensifies U.S. Agriculture Disruptions As Port Strike Officially Starts

Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on September 26, 2024. The storm caused widespread destruction across the southeastern U.S., with the death toll approaching 125 as of this writing. 

Its damaging winds, storm surge, and flooding led to power outages and infrastructure damage in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas–with the Carolinas seemingly suffering the greatest impacts. Parts of North Carolina are submerged under water, where roads have been washed out and properties have been flattened. As of October 1...

ANALYSIS: Whole Turkey Quotations From the Start of Q4 to Thanksgiving

Five-year average trends show that quotations for fresh and frozen whole-body turkeys have historically increased by minute amounts between the outset of October through Thanksgiving, regardless of sizing. By the time that the fourth quarter arrives, most whole turkeys for the holidays are already spoken. Still, there are usually buyers who opt to stock up during the weeks immediately preceding Thanksgiving. This is especially true of fresh offerings as evident by the 5-year average quotation change of 0.36% and 0.96% for fresh hens... 

The Retail Rundown: Going All-Out for Autumn

Fall is just around the corner, with the official start of autumn this Sunday, September 22. As cooler weather sets in and travel plans wind down, grocers are ramping up their offerings of seasonal favorites to align with the change in consumer preferences. 

According to the Expana Retail Activity Index, seafood continues to lead for the fourth week in a row, making up 30% of total protein ads. Beef and pork are close behind, each at around 25%, while chicken accounts for 14%. Eggs represent 2.8% of retail opportunities, and turkey has 2.3%...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports Close Month On High Note

For those involved in the export sector of the turkey industry, 2024 has been anything but smooth sailing. Geopolitical tensions, fluctuating exchange rates, and variable international demand patterns have all contributed to a challenging landscape for players to navigate. Despite these difficulties, July's export figures showed some positive signs for marketers...

Chomps to Open State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility in 2025 to Meet Growing Demand

Chomps, the fastest–growing snack and food brand in the U.S.1, today announces a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mexico, Missouri, slated to open in 2025. This exciting development marks the next phase in Chomps' long-standing strategic partnership with Western Smokehouse Partners (WSP) and will support Chomps' rapid growth, allowing the brand to meet an increasing consumer demand for better-for-you meat snacks.

The co-investment in a new facility with WSP comes on the heels of Chomps' most...

ANALYSIS: Production Indications Suggest Turkey Supply Pinch

An earlier analysis piece we published described the year-over-year (YoY) change in turkey hatchery figures and quotations for frozen 16 lbs. toms...

ANALYSIS: Ice-Pick: July Turkey Cold Storage

Total turkey cold storage holdings through the end of July were up 4.7% year-over-year (YoY), and 3.3% month-over-month (MoM). A cursory glance at these figures might lead one to surmise that demand for turkey is becoming less and less active. However, these values don't necessarily tell the complete story. Sure, total frozen inventory of turkey is up when compared to the previous year, but it is the fourth lowest value since 1995, and follows 2021, 2022, and 2023, which brought with them three of the... 

ANALYSIS: Thumbing Through the Whole-Body Turkey History Book

From the end of October 2011 until last week, Expana’s 8 lbs. and 14 lbs. frozen hen quotations were identical in value. This marked a nearly 13-year-long streak of price equality between those two sizes. For participants who joined the turkey industry within those 13 years, the recent divergence in pricing between both weight categories may have come as a bit of a surprise.

While the 8-14 lbs. and even 16-20 lbs. weight brackets have always been closely aligned, prior to 2012, deviations between...

ANALYSIS: Upward-Trending Turkey

This year the turkey meat complex hasn't experienced much activity, until fairly recently. From January to the end of April, tom breast meat quotations held at $2.60/lb. delivered, when the 5-year average for this period ranged anywhere from $3.57 to $2.59. Starting the week of April 29, prices started to decrease until they reached $2.20 the week of May 20. Since, prices have steadily trended sideways, contrary to the seasonal norm which indicates an upward trend from the end of April through mid-September... 

ANALYSIS: Piecing together the turkey production puzzle

Now, perhaps more than ever before, turkey market participants are searching for a beacon to illuminate the road ahead. Up until this point, 2024 has proven to be a notably challenging year for marketers, particularly due to the seasonally subdued demand for whole-body turkeys and raw materials. In addition to the unpredictable buying patterns, supply-side indicators seem to raise more questions than answers.

Our chart illustrates that total inventory holdings continue to hover above the previous year’s levels. June’s 1.5% increase marks the nineteenth consecutive month of year-over-year (YoY)...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Cold Storage, Opposite Poles

As the chart illustrates, June’s month-over-month (MoM) uptick for whole birds of 10.0% aligns with the 5-year average MoM change of 12.6%. However, cold storage inventory of whole turkeys is at the lowest it has ever been for the month of June and is 12.2% lower than the 5-year average. Much of this can be attributed to factors such as HPAI and metapneumovirus. Part of it though, may also be contributed to an effort on the part of some producers not to put up whole turkeys when...

Boar's Head Provisions Co. Expands Recall for Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products 

Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, is expanding itsJuly 26,2024, recall of deli meat products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The establishment is recalling approximately 7 million additional pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Whole genome sequencing results show that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes...

ANALYSIS: Decreased turkey production doesn’t always mean increased prices...

As we look back on the past six months of production data, it becomes clear that the turkey industry is on a trajectory to harvest much fewer birds at the end of this year and the beginning of next year than it did in 2023. When it comes to the number of eggs in incubators and poults placed, '23 was by no means a stellar year. In fact, the year-to-date (YTD) total of eggs in incubators was about 2.0 million eggs short of the cumulative 10-year average...

Gorica Rajcic-Spasojevic Named Headstart Hatching General Manager

Headstart Hatching, a new custom turkey hatchery startup expected to hatch approximately 45 million turkey poults a year, has appointed Dr. Gorica Rajcic-Spasojevic as its general manager.

She brings 35 years of turkey industry expertise to Headstart, having previously held key technical and operational roles with Foster Farms, Jennie-O Turkey Store and Willmar Poultry Company. She is one of the top turkey embryologists in the world.

In her new position, Gorica will oversee operations for Headstart’s state-of-the-art hatchery, the first to include technology from sister company Next Nest Hatching, which provides poults with immediate access to feed, water and light after hatching. She will focus on optimizing poult quality and the potential rewards of introducing early nutrition.

Butterball’s New packaging to Hit Retailer Shelves in August

Butterball is rolling out a new look for its portfolio of retail products for the first time since 2018. The dramatic redesign aims to enhance the consumer shopping experience by incorporating a consistent look and feel across all product lines with easy-to-read labeling, an eye-catching bright blue design, and an interactive QR code to boost shopper engagement with the brand.

“Butterball is always striving to provide a consistent shopping experience for consumers across our different product categories, so achieving that was top of mind for this redesign,”...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Market, A Seasonal Quandary

The turkey market has been particularly challenging for players to successfully navigate over the past several years and, so far, 2024 has been no exception. This scenario is particularly true when speaking about the whole-body bird and raw material sectors where seasonally subdued demand persists here at the mid-year point. Given the fact that wholesale and consumer-facing demand patterns are notoriously challenging to predict on a "normal" year, turkey markets are falling back on traditional supply-side metrics to help illuminate the road ahead...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Cold Storage: Up, Down, Sideways

While spot trade activity within the turkey market remains seasonally subdued here at the tail end of June, there is no shortage of influential variables that are weighing heavily on the minds of participants. One report which has raised a couple of eyebrows is the latest Cold Storage assessment. As illustrated by this week’s chart, both yearly and monthly inventory comparisons were far from unified through the end of May. Total holdings closed the month at 422.9 million pounds. This represents a 5.2% year-over-year (YoY) advance, while also positioning... 

ANALYSIS: Turkey Export Volume Expands MoM Stride

By most accounts, April marked the continuation of a general improvement in year-over-year (YoY) turkey export throughput which has been playing out since June of 2023. Total holdings through month’s end touched on about 40.9 million pounds which marks an 18.5% YoY advance. Despite this significant leap, April’s ending tally is still positioned 2.3 million pounds shy of the seasonal 5-year average. As for the comparative monthly data, total outward volume during the month rose by 11.3%. This uptick is a stark contrast to the average 4.9% reduction observed...

ANALYSIS: A Deep Dive into Turkey Cold Storage

As touched on in last week’s analysis, there is no shortage of supply-facing variables which are playing an influential role in the turkey market. Despite a year-over-year (YoY) retreat in hatchery and harvest figures, frozen inventory levels are continuing to make headway above 2023 levels. With this in mind, we thought we’d elaborate on the most recent cold storage data and provide some historical perspective on the current inventory environment.

As illustrated by our chart, total cold storage stocks through the end of April notched above last year by...

ANALYSIS: A Turkey Supply Conundrum

Given the relatively stagnant, if not seasonally, subdued state of the turkey market lately, buyers and sellers are searching high and low for direction. While supply-side indications certainly tell an interesting story, they seem to bring more questions than they do answers. As has been the case for the past seventeen months, total cold storage holdings have trekked higher on a year-over-year (YoY) basis.

The latest reading through the end of April was no exception; notching higher by 6.15%. Coming in at 390.6 million pounds, total warehouse... 

ANALYSIS: Tapering Turkey Hatch Sets Production Tone

With trade activity continuing to fall to the sluggish end of the seasonal continuum, and given the ongoing uncertainty related to variables such as disease, turkey market participants are facing more questions than answers when it comes to the future potential of the complex. While the road ahead remains anything but a clear read, there are some forward-facing indications on the production front which might hint at the road which lies ahead. Despite the relatively average costs associated with corn and soybean values, lackluster demand patterns and the aforementioned threat...

ANALYSIS: Checking-In on Turkey Market Supply Factors

Although mid-May trade conditions have been slow to shift the undertone surrounding whole-body turkeys and raw materials, there is no shortage of variables which are weighing heavily on the minds of market participants as they refine their expectations for the road ahead. Central to many turkey-related conversations remains disease.

As illustrated by this week’s chart, year-to-date (YTD) commercial HPAI outbreaks have risen about 84%, or 229.6 thousand head, when compared to a similar period one year prior...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Export Volume Closes Q1 on a Relatively Positive Note

The latest turkey export data marks a continuation of the year-over-year (YoY) advances in outward tonnage which have been evident over the past nine months. Coming in at 37.7 million pounds, March’s closing tally stood 15%, or 3.5 million pounds, above this time in 2023. Given the ongoing complications with HPAI-related production and export constraints, it bears noting that total export figures still remain situated at the third-lowest seasonal level realized in two decades. Export value during this timeframe notched lower by 0.5%; positioning...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Headcount Slips to Record Low

Although transactional activity within the turkey complex remains seasonally thin here in mid-Q2, there is no shortage of variables which are catching the attention of market participants.

The latest Monthly Slaughter Report is perhaps top of mind for many players on the turkey side of the business, and with good reason. Total headcount retreated by 5% from February, and by a notable 18% when compared with this time last year. Coming in at 15.5 million head, March’s data also represents the lowest reading observed in over two decades...

ANALYSIS: Tightening Turkey Production Trends

Given the relatively serene state of the turkey market here in early Q2, market participants are keeping their eyes trained on the stats as they refine their expectations for the road ahead. When it comes to supply-facing variables, disease remains a top consideration, and with good reason. In just the first four months of the year, about 346 thousand commercial turkeys have been impacted by HPAI. Although this figure represents only a small fraction of the industry’s annual production potential, it is one part of a more complex scenario currently unfolding on the supply...

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%...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Inventories: Frostbite, or Ready to Take Flight?

Although the turkey marketing backdrop has been relatively sedate leading up to Easter, industry players still have quite a lot to mull over as we fast approach Q2. One report which has garnered attention recently is February’s Cold Storage assessment..

As depicted by this week’s chart, month-over-month (MoM) movement of most key lines kept closely with the established seasonal trend. Comparative yearly figures, however, were a mixed bag; ranging as high as 98% above, to as low as 15% below, 2023.

Starting with the cumulative data, total inward movement...

ANALYSIS: Hatching Plans to Combat Future Uncertainty

Anyone intimately involved in the turkey industry has most likely had their eyes on the hatchery data to start the year. Substantial reductions in all three major categories, Eggs In Incubators, Eggs Hatched and Net Poults Placed have taken place over the past few months which leads many to question what exactly is causing the downtrend. The answer though, may not be as simple as it once was. Traditionally speaking, when hatchery statistics move notably higher or lower, it comes as a concerted effort by the industry to better align with current and...

The Retail Rundown: 2024 Annual Power of Meat Study Recap

The 2024 Power of Meat Study was revealed at the Annual Meat Conference in Nashville, Tennessee this week. Anne-Marie Roerink, Principal at 210 Analytics, presented the findings and identified the trends currently shaping the retail meat sector.

This year’s report found that the number of Americans who describe themselves as meat eaters (80%) and the number of households that purchase meat (98%) were unchanged from 2023. Circana data indicates that overall household penetration across all incomes, ethnicities, household sizes, and ages, averages above 97%...

Salm Partners, LLC, Recalls Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Turkey Sausage Products 

Salm Partners, LLC, a Denmark, Wis., establishment, is recalling approximately 35,430 pounds of Johnsonville turkey kielbasa sausage that may be contaminated with foreign materials, specifically pieces of rubber, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The turkey kielbasa sausages were produced between Oct. 30-31, 2023. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

• 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages containing a single piece of "Johnsonville POLISH KIELBASA TURKEY" sausage and best by dates "05/17/24" and "05/18/24"...

Full Moon® Launches New Artisanal Sausage Slices

Today, Full Moon®, the brand known for its human-grade dog food and jerky treats, announced the launch of its Artisanal Sausage Slices, giving pets the fresh from the deli experience they deserve. Created for devoted pet owners who prioritize their own health, wellness and quality food, these snackable treats will help them do the same for their furry friends.

Like all Full Moon® products, Artisanal Sausage Slices are made using 100-percent human-grade ingredients sourced responsibly from family farms, meaning they look, smell, and taste just like the...

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Announces Return of Easter Heat n' Serve Favorites

To celebrate Easter, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® is announcing new meal offerings to help create a delicious home-cooked meal experience. Guests can enjoy new items like the Hot n' Ready Easter Ham and Turkey Family Dinner and a Heat n' Serve French Toast Bake or traditional favorites like the Easter Heat n' Serve Ham or Prime Rib meals.

"This Easter, let Cracker Barrel do the homestyle cooking," said Cracker Barrel Vice President of Culinary Thomas Yun...

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...

Turkey Smoke is Back in 2024 and Expands from Coast-to-Coast

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is pleased to renew its partnership with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), kicking off the fifth year of the Turkey Smoke Series, which encourages both professional and amateur pitmasters to showcase the versatility and creativity of turkey on the smoker or grill. The Turkey Smoke Series features a turkey category in select barbeque competitions across the United States during the 2024 season. Pitmasters and contest organizers love that the Turkey Smoke Series adds thousands of dollars...

REPORTER: After Decade-Old WTO Fight, India Cuts Frozen Turkey, Duck Tariffs

This article was originally featured in the WINTER 2024 Edition of Urner Barry’s Reporter magazine.

On September 11, 2023, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that India had agreed to reduce tariffs on frozen turkey and ducks from 30% to 5%, along with other U.S. agricultural products. This ends the last major trade dispute between the two nations, potentially opening a sizable export market forAmerican producers.

The announcement came after President Joe Biden’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in New Delhi...

Salm Partners, LLC Recalls Ready-to-Eat Turkey Kielbasa Products Due to Possible Extraneous Material

Salm Partners, LLC, a Denmark, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 133,039 pounds of ready-to-eat turkey kielbasa products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically bone fragments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat turkey kielbasa items were produced on October 27, 2023, and October 30, 2023. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

13-oz. plastic vacuum-sealed packages containing “PARKVIEW TURKEY...

Mintec Releases "Christmas Dinner Index 2023" Report

The Retail Rundown: Ham Features Increase for the Holidays

The countdown to Christmas is rapidly winding down and shoppers are busy stocking up on last-minute gifts and food for visiting family and holiday gatherings.

For the second week in a row, pork features claim the top spot among protein ads this week with 28.4%. Seafood follows with 25.7% of total protein ad volume, while beef comes in third at 20.5%. Chicken retail buying opportunities declined to 8%, compared to 13.8% the previous week. Turkey features advanced to 9.7%, up about four points from last week...

Enjoy the Season with Dickey’s Heat and Serve Holiday Feasts

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit knows the holidays are the perfect time to sit back and enjoy some Texas-style with friends and family. With significant holiday sales so far this year, the Dickey’s team was thrilled to secure plenty of Smoked Turkeys, Prime Ribs, Cajun Turkeys, and Spiral Cut Hams for you to enjoy at a fantastic price.

Give your favorite pit master a break this holiday season and let Dickey’s do the cooking for you. The barbecue brand recognizes that we have a lot to be grateful for...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports Start Q4 on a High Note

While recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in various states and counties have posed challenges to the international footprint of the turkey industry, export performance through the end of October demonstrated noteworthy resilience.

During this period, the total outbound movement reached 52.9 million pounds. This marks the highest seasonal level observed since 2020 and also reflects a 5.8% increase when compared to September. With that being said, it is worth noting that October's cumulative movement still lagged approximately 18 percentage...

The Retail Rundown: Thanksgiving Turkey Retail Prices Reported Higher Despite Wholesale Drop

With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, Urner Barry is looking back at how this year’s retail Thanksgiving sales compared to recent years. 

According to Circana data, retail turkey prices on both a discounted and non-discounted basis have consistently trended higher in the past five years. Generally, distribution has also seen an uptrend in recent years. 

Distribution is a measure that reports the distribution of discounted and non-discounted items. It takes into account the number of Universal Product Codes (UPCs) selling within a given aggregate...

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year at The Fresh Market!

The Fresh Market is making prepping for the holidays easier than ever this year, with the specialty food retailer’s prepared holiday meals available now for pre-order, a special holiday print edition of The Fresh Market Magazine, and a holiday-themed shoppable livestream featuring brand ambassador, Chef Anna Rossi. 

Whether it's a festive feast with family and friends or a small gathering, The Fresh Market offers everything guests need to create memorable and delicious meals. To make holiday shopping even more convenient, The Fresh Market also...