After ramping up production to meet last year’s frenzied demand and hedge against bird flu losses, US producers now face a glut https://t.co/J7PDknCM1n ...

Core Insights - Just Bare®, a chicken brand under Pilgrim's, has achieved over $1 billion in annual retail sales in 2025, marking a 45% annual growth rate and establishing itself as a leader in the frozen and fresh chicken market [1][2]. Company Performance - Just Bare has grown its market share from 1% to 13% in three years, becoming the 1 brand in sales pace within the fully cooked chicken category [2]. - The brand's frozen fully cooked portfolio generates over $750 million in annual sales, driven by strong distribution growth across mass, club, and grocery stores [2]. Strategic Developments - Pilgrim's CEO Fabio Sandri highlighted that the milestone reflects the company's strategic investments in innovation and operational excellence [2]. - A new prepared chicken facility is being constructed in Walker County, Georgia, to meet the rising demand for high-quality, convenient protein solutions [3]. Brand Positioning - Just Bare emphasizes premium quality with all-natural chicken raised without antibiotics, additives, or preservatives, appealing to consumers seeking trustworthy meal options [5]. - The brand's Oven Roasted platform has gained popularity due to its clean-label ingredients and quick preparation time of 1.5 minutes [2]. Industry Context - Just Bare's growth aligns with JBS's long-term strategy to enhance its value-added and prepared foods capabilities globally [3]. - JBS presented an overview of Just Bare's growth and innovation strategy during its 2026 CAGNY presentation, showcasing the brand's role in strengthening the prepared foods business across the JBS portfolio [4].

Core Insights - AB Akola Group's consolidated revenues for the first half of the financial year 2025/2026 reached EUR 754 million, a 1% decrease compared to the same period last year, despite a 7% increase in product sales volume to 1,673 thousand tons [1][2] - The group reported a gross profit increase of 12% to EUR 92 million and an operating profit increase of 3% to EUR 30 million, with EBITDA rising by 8% to EUR 47 million and net profit increasing by 2% to EUR 20 million [1][2] Financial Performance - Total trading volume increased by 6.3% from 1,574,232 tons in 2024/2025 to 1,672,867 tons in 2025/2026 [2] - Revenue decreased from EUR 761.7 million in 2024/2025 to EUR 753.6 million in 2025/2026, a decline of 1.1% [2] - Gross profit rose from EUR 82.5 million to EUR 92.2 million, an increase of 11.8% [2] - EBITDA increased from EUR 43.8 million to EUR 47.5 million, an 8.3% rise [2] - Operating profit grew from EUR 28.8 million to EUR 29.6 million, a 3% increase [2] - Net profit increased from EUR 19.2 million to EUR 19.5 million, a 1.9% rise [2] Segment Performance Partners for Farmers - Revenue for the Partners for Farmers segment decreased by 6.8% to EUR 518.9 million, with gross profit declining by 2.5% to EUR 36.9 million and operating profit down by 65.6% to EUR 2.7 million [5] - The segment faced challenges due to anti-dumping duties, price volatility, and adverse weather conditions affecting grain quality [3][4] Food Production - The Food Production segment generated EUR 241 million in revenue, a 12% increase year-on-year, with gross profit rising by 25.6% to EUR 50 million and operating profit increasing by 43.3% to EUR 27.8 million [6][8] - Poultry operations showed moderate growth, while instant foods experienced strong growth due to improved operational efficiency [7] Farming - The Farming segment reported EUR 26 million in revenue, with gross profit of EUR 3 million and operating profit of EUR 0.5 million [9][10] - Crop production volumes increased, but lower grain prices negatively impacted revenue [9] Other Products and Services - This segment generated EUR 11 million in revenue, with gross profit of EUR 2 million and an operating loss of EUR 1.4 million [11][12] - Despite revenue growth, margin pressures were evident due to increased operating costs and a higher share of lower-margin volumes [11] Company Overview - AB Akola Group is the largest agribusiness and food production group in the Baltics, employing over 5,000 people and operating across the entire food production chain [12]

Core Viewpoint - Tyson Foods and Cargill have settled a long-standing legal dispute with Oklahoma regarding pollution in the Illinois River Watershed, agreeing to fund remediation efforts and pay significant fines [1][5]. Settlement Details - Tyson will pay $19 million and Cargill will pay $6.5 million as part of the settlement [1]. - The companies will progressively increase the removal of poultry litter from the area and contribute to a fund for monitoring compliance and remediation [2]. Corporate Statements - Cargill stated it no longer operates in the area and has fulfilled its litter removal obligations [3]. - Tyson expressed that the resolution is in the best interest of growers and communities in northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas [3]. Legal Background - The lawsuit was initiated in 2005, targeting multiple poultry companies for alleged pollution due to phosphorus runoff from poultry litter [4]. - A federal court ruled in favor of Oklahoma in January 2023, rejecting the defendants' claims of reduced phosphorus levels [4]. Implications of the Settlement - The settlement emphasizes corporate accountability and the necessity of protecting Oklahoma's water while supporting the agricultural industry [5]. - The settlements are seen as a way to provide certainty for growers and protect jobs while safeguarding water resources for future generations [6].

Financial Results For The Fourth Quarter Ended December 28th, 2025 Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (NASDAQ: PPC) Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements ▪ Statements contained in this press release that state the intentions, plans, hopes, beliefs, anticipations, expectations or predictions of the future of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation and its management are considered forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "m ...

Core Viewpoint - ForFarmers is enhancing its position in the Polish poultry market through a joint venture with KPS, aiming for value chain integration and growth in the sector [2][3][9]. Joint Venture Details - ForFarmers will hold a 50.5% majority share in the new joint venture named ForFarmers Polska, while KPS will retain a 49.5% stake [2][9]. - The joint venture will merge KPS's poultry farms, slaughtering, and food processing activities with Tasomix's feed operations [2][3]. Strategic Importance - This move aligns with ForFarmers' strategy to strengthen its market presence in the growing Polish poultry sector and enhance value chain integration [3][4]. - The collaboration between ForFarmers and KPS is expected to leverage their combined strengths to effectively respond to market demands [4]. Financial Overview - The Enterprise Value (EV) of the joint venture is estimated at PLN 2,192 million (EUR 520 million), with KPS valued at PLN 1,500 million (EUR 356 million) and Tasomix at PLN 692 million (EUR 164 million) [8][9]. - KPS reported a turnover of approximately PLN 1,065 million (EUR 252 million) and an annual EBITDA of around PLN 195 million (EUR 46 million) for 2025 [5]. Operational Structure - The management team of the joint venture will include representatives from both ForFarmers and KPS [7]. - The current owners of KPS will remain actively involved in the joint venture, contributing to its operational and strategic direction [5][10]. Future Outlook - The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of the year, pending approval from the Polish competition authority and ForFarmers' shareholders [11].

Core Viewpoint - Almunajem Foods Co. and Balady Poultry have entered a seven-year processing and distribution partnership aimed at enhancing market share and operational efficiency in the poultry sector in Saudi Arabia [1][4] Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership involves Balady Poultry producing and packaging poultry products for both companies under a profit-sharing agreement, while Almunajem Foods will handle marketing and distribution [1] - The agreement is designed to support shared growth and improve the quality of locally produced poultry products in the Saudi market [4] Group 2: Financial Performance - Almunajem Foods reported a 2.2% increase in revenue for Q3 2023, reaching SR816.1 million ($217.6 million), but experienced a 5.2% decline in operating profit to SR36.4 million and a 21.7% drop in net profit to SR31.7 million [5] - For the first nine months of 2023, Almunajem Foods' revenue decreased by 0.5% to SR2.51 billion, with operating profit down 46% to SR118.3 million and net profit down 52% to SR102.7 million [5] - Balady Poultry's Q3 revenue increased by 0.5% to SR218.9 million, but year-to-date revenue fell by 4.9% to SR634.1 million, with operating profit declining 67% for the quarter and 72% for the nine months [6] Group 3: Management Changes - Almunajem Foods announced the resignation of CEO Bin Abdulaziz Abanumay effective December 31, with Ali Hasan El Zain appointed as the new CEO starting January 1 [3]

Core Viewpoint - The retail prices of eggs and white-feathered chickens in 36 major cities in China have increased due to post-holiday restocking, with eggs rising by 0.6% and white-feathered chickens by 0.1% from January 5 to January 11 [1] Price Changes - The price of eggs in southern regions has seen a significant increase, with Hefei and Xiamen experiencing rises of 2.3% and 2.0% respectively [1] - In the central region, the price of white-feathered chickens has also increased notably, with Zhengzhou and Wuhan seeing increases of 1.4% and 1.1% respectively [1]

Core Insights - Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC) is focusing on brand and portfolio diversification to manage volatility in commodity-driven poultry markets, as highlighted in their third-quarter 2025 results [1] U.S. Business Performance - Diversification across bird sizes, including Case Ready, Small Bird, and Big Bird, helped maintain margins in the U.S. business despite volatile chicken prices in September 2025 [2] - The Prepared Foods segment saw net sales increase by over 25%, with the Just BARE brand gaining nearly 300 basis points of market share, reducing reliance on commodity pricing [2] International Market Strategy - In Mexico, PPC is reducing exposure to live market volatility by expanding value-added Prepared Foods, which experienced a 9% sales increase in the quarter [3] - The strategy of growing prepared and branded offerings is aimed at balancing fluctuations in fresh-market pricing and strengthening customer relationships [3] European Market Adaptation - In Europe, brand differentiation is being utilized to navigate broader protein market pressures, with brands like Fridge Raiders and Rollover growing faster than their respective categories [4] Investment Plans - PPC has outlined over $500 million in planned U.S. investments over the next two years to expand Prepared Foods capacity and convert select facilities to Case Ready production [5] - These investments are intended to enhance operational flexibility and support growth in branded and value-added products, moderating the impact of market volatility over time [5] Stock Performance - PPC shares have gained 5.3% over the past month, outperforming the industry's decline of 1.8% and the S&P 500 index's growth of 2.7% [6] Valuation Metrics - Pilgrim's Pride currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 9.69, which is below the industry average of 12.8 and the sector average of 16.64, positioning the stock at a modest discount relative to peers and the broader consumer staples sector [10]

Product & Pricing - KellyBronze turkeys are positioned as a high-end product, costing $500 for 32 pounds [1] - The turkeys are considered the "Rolls-Royce" of the poultry industry [1] Market Opportunity - KellyBronze is aiming to "gobble up" the market [1]