The Food Institute Report articles from February 2008

The Food Institute Report archives from February 2008

Food-at-home prices to hit 4.5% in '08.
February 4, 2008... The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food-at-home is forecast to increase as much as 4.5% this year by USDA, on the heel's of 2006's 4.2% jump, as retailers continue to pass on higher commodity and energy costs to consumers in the form of higher...

Diners--looking for more from foodservice operators.
February 4, 2008... In 2008, foodservice operators will focus on four dining trends, including: go global, stay local; feel-good foods; easy nutrition; and casual luxury, according to Restaurants & Institutions (January 2008). Global flavors and local ingredients...

Indian cuisine: the new hot ethnic food.
February 4, 2008... Indian foods are becoming more prevalent on grocery store shelves and registering an uptick in sales, due in part to increasing premade options, bite-size portions and the rise of the Indian population in the U.S., reported Supermarket News...

New product activity up in 2007, but at less brisk pace.(REPORT)
February 4, 2008... New product introductions continued to climb last year with 35,999 products tracked in the U.S. by MINTEL Global New Products Database. While 2007's tally is impressive, the 9.3% growth represents a slightly slower pace of activity as compared...

Brand value vs. Price.
February 4, 2008... Brand value will become increasingly more important for beef and poultry producers as higher prices look to decrease consumer demand. Beef is getting the most attention since commodity prices were higher this year and sales were almost flat,...

Halal: a growing opportunity.
February 4, 2008... Halal is a growing segment in France, accounting for 3 billion [euro] of the total 10-15 billion [euro] European halal market. Halal also represents an emergent opportunity for U.S. exporters, with sodas, juices, condiments, confectionary...

Top 10 flavor pairings for 2007.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... MCCORMICK'S Flavor Forecast 2008 identified the top 10 new flavor pairings that will influence all aspects of the food industry, and spark inspiration in the kitchen. The influence of this year's grouping of tastes is due, according to the...

Beverages are brimming with potential in '08.
February 4, 2008... Gone are the days when customers would order drinks without looking at a drink menu, claims Restaurants & Institutions (January). Customers are now looking for "craft beers, premium spirits, house-made mixers, vitamin-fortified water, food...

Rapidly expanding Garlic Jim's famous gourmet pizza expects to have 90 outlets by the end of 2008 and 500 within five years.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Rapidly expanding GARLIC JIM'S FAMOUS GOURMET PIZZA expects to have 90 outlets by the end of 2008 and 500 within five years. The 51-unit Everett, WA-based chain, featuring gourmet pizzas such as Nutty Chipotle and Chicken Bacon Ranch, sprouted...

A made in Japan Teriyaki experience franchisee plans to open eight locations in the San Francisco Bay Area by the end of the year and 40 within six years.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... A MADE IN JAPAN TERIYAKI EXPERIENCE franchisee plans to open eight locations in the San Francisco Bay Area by the end of the year and 40 within six years. The Canadian-based fast-casual chain, which opened its first U.S. restaurant in July,...

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL INC. is preparing to make its first foray outside the U.S. by opening a restaurant in Toronto this year. Analysts predict that Chipotle could eventually have at least 3,000 U.S. locations, and more internationally... The...

Starbucks.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... STARBUCKS will slow the pace of its U.S. store openings, increase international store openings, and discontinue warmed breakfast sandwiches at its North American stores, according to CEO Howard Schultz's new turnaround plan. The decision...

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. plans to open five franchised Ruby Tuesdays in U.S. airports over the next several years.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
February 4, 2008... RUBY TUESDAY, INC. plans to open five franchised Ruby Tuesdays in U.S. airports over the next several years. The restaurants will be developed and operated by AREAS USA, INC. The first two airport locations, slated to open by early 2009, will...

Chick-fil-A.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... CHICK-FIL-A is planning to add 88 locations this year, including 70 stand-alone restaurants, five mall/in-line locations and 13 licensed operations such as airports, colleges and hospitals. A number of menu changes will be implemented, and the...

Porky's Pride Real Pit BBQ.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
February 4, 2008... The owners of PORKY'S PRIDE REAL PIT BBQ are planning to open additional locations in the New Mexico metro area over the next six to eight months. In addition, they plan to open their current stores for breakfast starting in March... New Mexico...

Spot Coffee plans to open locations in Williamsville, NY and Toronto in 2008.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... SPOT COFFEE plans to open locations in Williamsville, NY and Toronto in 2008. Parent company HOT SPOT HOSPITALITY CORP. plans 37 new Spot Coffee sites in the U.S. and Canada by 2012. "We are forging new relationships to expand the brand on a...

Domino's Pizza.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
February 4, 2008... DOMINO'S PIZZA launched Pizza Tracker, technology that allows its customers to follow the progress of their order online from the time they place an order until the delivery is made. Pizza Tracker is now available at more than 3,200 Domino's...

Pizza Inn, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... PIZZA INN, INC. opened a new 2,200-sq. ft. Pizza Inn buffet restaurant in Pryor, OK.

El Pollo Loco.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... EL POLLO LOCO will open the first of a planned 15 locations in Utah in May... Deseret Morning News (Jan. 24).

Zesto.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... ZESTO, an ice cream drive-in business, will open its third Southern Indiana location... Business First of Louisville (Jan. 25).

Sense Gourmet, a subsidiary of Foodco Holding opened its first of four Figaro's Pizza stores planned for the Middle East in Abu Dhabi.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... SENSE GOURMET, a subsidiary of FOODCO HOLDING opened its first of four FIGARO'S PIZZA stores planned for the Middle East in Abu Dhabi... Portland Business Journal (Jan. 23).

Ling & Louie's Asian Bar and Grill.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... LING & LOUIE'S ASIAN BAR AND GRILL opened in Scottsdale, AZ on Jan. 28, with another location slated to open in Denver, CO, during the summer.

Kwik Trip Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... KWIK TRIP INC. opened a new convenience store in Mayville, WI... Daily Citizen.

Charm City Cupcakes.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... CHARM CITY CUPCAKES will open a location in Baltimore, MD... Baltimore Business Journal (Jan. 24).

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. will open its 15th Virginia restaurant in Ashburn on Feb. 4.

Cyclone Anaya's Mexican Kitchen, a unit of Strategic Culinary Group, will open four Texas locations over the next several years.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... CYCLONE ANAYA'S MEXICAN KITCHEN, a unit of STRATEGIC CULINARY GROUP, will open four Texas locations over the next several years... Dallas Business Journal (Jan. 25).

Zaccaro's Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... ZACCARO'S MARKET is planning to open a 6,500-sq. ft. store in midtown Detroit... Detroit Free Press.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. will open its 17th Oregon restaurant on Feb. 18.

Beautiful Brands International opened the first Freshberry Frozen Yogurt Cafe.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... BEAUTIFUL BRANDS INTERNATIONAL opened the first FRESHBERRY FROZEN YOGURT CAFE... QSR Magazine (Jan. 28).

California Pizza Kitchen.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN opened a location in Mexico and Anaheim, CA.

1-800-flowers.com.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... 1-800-FLOWERS.COM plans to open a store in Boston--the chain's first in Massachusetts... The Boston Globe (Jan. 29)

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... SANSEI SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR will open a location in Hawaii... Pacific Business News (Honolulu) (Jan. 30).

Subway.(NEW STORE NEWS)
February 4, 2008... SUBWAY will open a 1,800-sq. ft. store in Yakima, WA...Yakima Herald-Republic (Jan. 31)

Agropur, Canada's largest dairy cooperative, reached an agreement to acquire Trega Foods Inc. of Wisconsin--marking Agropur's second acquisition in the U.S., since 2002.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
February 4, 2008... AGROPUR, Canada's largest dairy cooperative, reached an agreement to acquire TREGA FOODS INC. of Wisconsin--marking Agropur's second acquisition in the U.S., since 2002. Trega Foods manufactures different types of cheese and whey products.

Bakkavor Group of Reykjavik, Iceland, an international food manufacturing company specializing in fresh prepared food and produce, acquired Two Chefs On A Roll, a fresh and frozen prepared foods provider.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... BAKKAVOR GROUP of Reykjavik, Iceland, an international food manufacturing company specializing in fresh prepared food and produce, acquired TWO CHEFS ON A ROLL, a fresh and frozen prepared foods provider. The California-based company...

Blue Harbour Group LP, Greenwich, CT, increased its stake in Ann Arbor, MI-based Domino's Pizza Inc. to 10.9%, from 7.5%, according to an SEC filing.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
February 4, 2008... BLUE HARBOUR GROUP LP, Greenwich, CT, increased its stake in Ann Arbor, MI-based DOMINO'S PIZZA INC. to 10.9%, from 7.5%, according to an SEC filing... The Associated Press (Jan. 24)

Carlisle Companies Incorporated of Charlotte, NC, a diversified global manufacturing company, acquired Dinex International, Inc., a Glastonbury, CT-based supplier of foodservice products to the healthcare and other institutional industries.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
February 4, 2008... CARLISLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED of Charlotte, NC, a diversified global manufacturing company, acquired DINEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Glastonbury, CT-based supplier of foodservice products to the healthcare and other institutional industries....

Diageo entered into an agreement to acquire Rosenblum Cellars, Alameda, CA, for $105 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... DIAGEO entered into an agreement to acquire ROSENBLUM CELLARS, Alameda, CA, for $105 million, further enhancing DIAGEO CHATEAU AND ESTATE WINES' brand range in the premium wine segment in the U.S. London-based Diageo has a vast collection of...

Dillon Stores, Hutchinson, KS, reached an agreement with HAC, Inc., a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers, to acquire three Homeland Stores in Wichita, KS.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... DILLON STORES, Hutchinson, KS, reached an agreement with HAC, INC., a subsidiary of ASSOCIATED WHOLESALE GROCERS, to acquire three HOMELAND STORES in Wichita, KS. The newly acquired locations will allow for the relocation of several smaller...

Houchens Industries, Bowling Green, KY, signed a letter of intent to purchase 14 stores from Browning Oil.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... HOUCHENS INDUSTRIES, Bowling Green, KY, signed a letter of intent to purchase 14 stores from BROWNING OIL. Houchens is the operator of 40 JR. FOODS convenience stores, 150 grocery stores run under various names such as PIGGLY WIGGLY, HOUCHENS...

Landry's Restaurants, Inc. chairman, president and CEO, Tilman J. Fertitta, offered to acquire all of the company's outstanding common stock for approximately $1.3 billion.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... LANDRY'S RESTAURANTS, INC. chairman, president and CEO, TILMAN J. FERTITTA, offered to acquire all of the company's outstanding common stock for approximately $1.3 billion. Houston-based Landry's, a casual dining and entertainment company, owns...

Mistral Equity Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, acquired Shearer's Foods, Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
February 4, 2008... MISTRAL EQUITY PARTNERS, a New York-based private equity firm, acquired SHEARER'S FOODS, INC., a Brewster, OH-based producer and distributor of branded, co-packed and private label seasoned snack foods and related products.

Nexcen Brands, Inc., New York, acquired the Great American Cookie Company from Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC for $93.7 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NEXCEN BRANDS, INC., New York, acquired the GREAT AMERICAN COOKIE COMPANY from MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC for $93.7 million. NexCen Brands, Inc., a vertically integrated global brand management company, owns, licenses, franchises and...

NuCO2 Inc., Stuart, FL, signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Aurora Capital Group, in a transaction valued at approximately $487 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
February 4, 2008... NUCO2 INC., Stuart, FL, signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of AURORA CAPITAL GROUP, in a transaction valued at approximately $487 million. NuCO2 Inc. is a national provider of bulk CO2 products and services to...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Red Robin International, Inc., agreed to acquire the assets of 11 existing Red Robin franchised restaurants for a total of $20.9 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
February 4, 2008... RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC., a wholly-owned subsidiary of RED ROBIN INTERNATIONAL, INC., agreed to acquire the assets of 11 existing RED ROBIN franchised restaurants for a total of $20.9 million. The company will acquire an additional...

Reddy Ice Holdings, Inc. is terminating a merger agreement with Frozen, Llc, Hockey Parent Inc., and Hockey Mergersub, Inc., affiliates of GSO Capital Partners LP.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
February 4, 2008... REDDY ICE HOLDINGS, INC. is terminating a merger agreement with FROZEN, LLC, HOCKEY PARENT INC., and HOCKEY MERGERSUB, INC., affiliates of GSO CAPITAL PARTNERS LP. For definitive agreement, see FOOD INSTITUTE REPORT July 9, page 6.

Republic National Distributing Co., the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the nation, became the majority investor in Nebraska Wine & Spirits.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... REPUBLIC NATIONAL DISTRIBUTING CO., the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the nation, became the majority investor in NEBRASKA WINE & SPIRITS. In addition, Republic National Distributing Co. signed a letter of intent to...

Saputo Inc., Montreal, entered into an agreement to acquire the activities of Alto Dairy Cooperative, Waupun, WI for U.S. $160 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... SAPUTO INC., Montreal, entered into an agreement to acquire the activities of ALTO DAIRY Cooperative, Waupun, WI for U.S. $160 million. Alto produces Italian-style cheeses and American-style cheeses, as well as whey products, which are marketed...

Vistar Corporation, a Centennial, CO-based foodservice distributor to the vending-related and independent restaurant market segments, purchased The Marjack Company, Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
February 4, 2008... VISTAR CORPORATION, a Centennial, CO-based foodservice distributor to the vending-related and independent restaurant market segments, purchased THE MARJACK COMPANY, INC., a Landover, MD-based distributor of candy, snack items, and specialty...

Bakkavor Group acquired Yantai Longshun Foods.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
February 4, 2008... BAKKAVOR GROUP acquired YANTAI LONGSHUN FOODS, which supplies vegetables and fruit to the retail and food service markets in China.

Western Refining is no longer pursuing the acquisition of the Howdy's convenience store chain.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
February 4, 2008... WESTERN REFINING is no longer pursuing the acquisition of the HOWDY'S convenience store chain in El Paso, TX... El Paso Times (Jan. 29)

You scream, I scream ... for frozen desserts.(Industry overview)
February 4, 2008... The U.S. market for frozen desserts, which includes, among other things, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and frozen novelties, is an ever-changing market ebbing and flowing on the American palate. The U.S. frozen dessert market claimed $23.3...

C-stores focus on indulgent products.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... The world of convenience stores appears to run opposite to that of traditional supermarkets, according to Convenience Store News (Jan. 14). C-stores are focusing on "portable and indulgent," and most have "abandoned going large with healthier...

Costco to shake up the beer market, expand and continue eco-friendly push.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... The 531-store warehouse club chain is gearing up to enter the beer market with its first line of private-label beers. Costco filed label applications with the federal TAX AND TRADE BUREAU for a Kirkland Signature Hefeweizen, amber ale and pale...

FDA faces difficult future.(WASHINGTON)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... With the release of testimony from the GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO), the facts and implications about FDA are quite concerning. "FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of roughly 80% of the U.S. food supply, including $417 billion...

FOIA changes made by Congress.(WASHINGTON)(Freedom of Information Act)(OPEN Government Act of 2007 )
February 4, 2008... Congress recently passed the OPEN Government Act of 2007 (OPEN), amending the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The amendments made some significant changes to the procedures federal agencies must follow when responding to information requests...

FTC submits staff comments on alcholic beverage labels.(WASHINGTON)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... The Federal Trade Commission submitted a staff comment to the Department of the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) concerning a proposed rulemaking on alcohol labeling. TTB proposed to adopt a mandatory Serving Facts...

Dietary supplement marketers violated court order in some ads.(WASHINGTON)
February 4, 2008... Dietary supplement marketers must run more frequent and prominent advertising disclosures after violating a court order entered against them two years ago. The original order settled FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION charges that the defendants...

Food product recalls reported.(WASHINGTON)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Zebra brand sweetened coconut and sweetened lotus root seed is being recalled by DOMEGA INTERNATIONAL LTD. INC., Brooklyn, NY. Both products were distributed nationwide. The firm initiated recall began on Jan. 25, 2008, and is ongoing. Reason...

FDA issues warning letters.(WASHINGTON)
February 4, 2008... DELICIAS DE ESPANA, INC., Miami, FL, was issued a warning letter on Jan. 7, 2008 by FDA following an investigation of the company's seafood importer establishment on Nov. 26-28, 2007. The company had serious violations of the seafood Hazard...

A class-action lawsuit claims U.S. Sugar Corp.'s management hid a lucrative buyout offer that would have allowed employees to sell their company shares at a much higher value.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... A class-action lawsuit claims U.S. Sugar Corp.'s management hid a lucrative buyout offer that would have allowed employees to sell their company shares at a much higher value. The lawsuit, which seeks more than $150 million in damages, alleges...

The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) filed suit in federal district court challenging a New York City health department regulation scheduled to go into effect on Mar. 31, which dictates how restaurants must provide information to their customers.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) filed suit in federal district court challenging a New York City health department regulation scheduled to go into effect on Mar. 31, which dictates how restaurants must provide information to...

A new bill on milk labeling standards up for consideration in the Indiana House of Representatives has come under criticism by some organizations and producers, which claim it would prevent informed consumer choice if passed.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... A new bill on milk labeling standards up for consideration in the Indiana House of Representatives has come under criticism by some organizations and producers, which claim it would prevent informed consumer choice if passed. House Bill 1300,...

CDC investigators named the mysterious illness reported by pork plant workers in Minnesota and Indiana.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)
February 4, 2008... CDC investigators named the mysterious illness reported by pork plant workers in Minnesota and Indiana. The rare condition, progressive inflammatory neuropathy, could have been caused by workers inhaling droplets of pig brain tissue, reported...

USDA is examining videotapes that allegedly show Hallmark Meat Packing Co. workers mistreating sick dairy cows.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)
February 4, 2008... USDA is examining videotapes that allegedly show Hallmark Meat Packing Co. workers mistreating sick dairy cows. The company was barred from supplying school lunch and other programs, reported The Associated Press.

The Pentagon intends to crack down on possible abuses in its multibillion-dollar program for feeding American military personnel.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... The Pentagon intends to crack down on possible abuses in its multibillion-dollar program for feeding American military personnel. In a draft contract proposal, Pentagon plans to impose limits on its food suppliers ability to collect "discounts"...

A federal appeals-court panel in San Francisco upheld key parts of Washington state's system for regulating beer and wine sales, largely overturning an earlier victory by Costco Wholesale in its four-year legal battle with Washington's Liquor Control Board.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... A federal appeals-court panel in San Francisco upheld key parts of Washington state's system for regulating beer and wine sales, largely overturning an earlier victory by Costco Wholesale in its four-year legal battle with Washington's Liquor...

FTC granted Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. early termination of its waiting period.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)
February 4, 2008... FTC granted Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. early termination of its waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act relating to its pending acquisition of the Post cereals business from Kraft Foods Inc. Ralcorp has also received...

Produce.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
February 4, 2008... APPLES--YAKIMA VALLEY's movement and prices will remain unchanged, while trading is active. Red Delicious 72-125s are 16.00-18.00, Golden Delicious 72-88s are 18.00-20.00, 100s 17.00-18.00, 113s 16.00, and 125s are 15.00-16.00. Gala 72s are...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
February 4, 2008... CARROTS--Processor prices of 24/300 canned carrots are between $8.75-$9.25, f.o.b. Midwest. ASPARAGUS--Exports of canned asparagus were up 11% to 1.0 million pounds, as of Dec. 1. Processor prices of private label 6/10 canned asparagus are...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
February 4, 2008... SAUCE--Exports of tomato sauce were down 6% to 16.8 million pounds, as of Dec. 1. Foodservice 6/10 canned tomato sauce is selling between $12.25-$13.25, f.o.b. Mid-Atlantic. TOMATO PRODUCT EXPORTS MARKETING YEAR 2007/08 JUNE 1-DEC. 1...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)
February 4, 2008... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] POTATOES--Fancy French fries prices range from 50 to 75 cents per pound, f.o.b. Washington State. PEAS--Total exports of frozen peas were down 18% to 17.6 million pounds, as of Dec.1. Frozen peas in 12/16-oz. poly...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
February 4, 2008... PINEAPPLE--International Trade Administration issued the final results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review of canned pineapple fruit from Thailand. The review covers shipments of subject merchandise to the U.S. for the period of July...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)
February 4, 2008... CATFISH--Catfish growers in the U.S. had sales of 445 million dollars during 2007, down 8% from 484 million dollars the previous year. The top four States (Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana) accounted for 94% of the U.S. total...

NMFS will implement approved management measures contained in the Standardized By-catch Reporting Methodology Omnibus Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans of the Northeast Region, developed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils.(IN THE NEWS ...)(National Marine Fisheries Service)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NMFS will implement approved management measures contained in the Standardized By-catch Reporting Methodology Omnibus Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans of the Northeast Region, developed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
February 4, 2008... KANSAS CITY COMMODITY OFFER * Shipments Between March 1-22, 2008 and March 23-Apr. 13, 2008 * Metric Tons Product Destination Pack Size Quantity Great Northern Beans * Madagascar 50 kg....

Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
February 4, 2008... APPLES--U.S. dried apple rings are trading around $3.25 per pound for a 25-lb. Pack size. Dried Chinese apple rings are around $1.89 per pound, for a 20-kg. pack size with limited quantities, ex-warehouse New Jersey. U.S. EXPORTS OF DRIED...

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)
February 4, 2008... COLD STORAGE--General refrigerated storage capacity in the United States totaled 3.32 billion gross cubic feet on October 1, 2007, an increase of 4% since the previous survey was conducted two years ago. While most of the increase was due to...

Butter.(MARKETS)
February 4, 2008... BUTTER BUTTER MARKET, FEBRUARY 1 Cents Per Pound: 2/1/2008 1/25/2008 Chge. Grade AA 1.22 1.23 -.01 (Source: USDA)

Cheese.(MARKETS)
February 4, 2008... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET FEBRUARY 1 Cents Per Pound: 2/1/2008 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 1.7375 -0.0388 Blocks (40-lbs.) 1.7390 0.0890

Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... EGGS EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS FEBRUARY 1 Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 1-Feb 25-Jan Chge. Extra Large-NY 156-160 156-160 NC Large-NY ...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 1 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 68-71 68-71 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few ...

Futures prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... FUTURES PRICES Cash March May As of February 1, 2008: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. N/A $5.01 $5.13 Soybeans, bu. ...

Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... COMMODITY PRICES Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last 1-Feb 25-Jan Year Steers,...