Hormel Foods Sues US Government Over Trump Era Tariffs

US food company Hormel Foods has launched legal action against the US government seeking a refund of tariffs imposed during the Trump administration.

According to reporting by Meatingplace, the company has filed a lawsuit in the US Court of International Trade challenging duties applied to imported goods during the previous administration’s trade disputes.

Hormel argues the tariffs were improperly imposed and is seeking reimbursement for duties it paid on affected imports.

The case highlights the ongoing legal and commercial fallout from the tariff measures introduced during the US trade conflicts with several global partners.

Industry analysts say the outcome could have wider implications for food companies that faced increased costs due to the tariffs.

Source: Meatingplace | 12 March 2026

Bord Bia Launches Global St Patrick’s Day Campaign to Promote Irish Food

Ireland’s food export agency Bord Bia has launched an international St Patrick’s Day promotion campaign to showcase Irish food and drink in key global markets.

According to Bord Bia, the campaign will run across 15 countries and aims to highlight the quality and sustainability of Irish food products to retailers, chefs and consumers worldwide.

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ireland’s global reputation for premium food exports, including beef, dairy and seafood.

Promotional activities will include retail partnerships, foodservice events and digital marketing campaigns designed to increase awareness of Irish produce during the St Patrick’s Day period.

Bord Bia said the campaign reflects the continued importance of international markets to Ireland’s agri food sector.

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Source: Bord Bia | 12 March 2026

Nitrite Cured Bacon Sales Decline as UK Shoppers Shift Preferences

Sales of nitrite-cured bacon in the UK are declining as some consumers become more cautious about additives in processed meats.

According to reporting by Food Ingredients First, changing consumer perceptions around health and food additives are influencing purchasing decisions in the bacon category.

Nitrites are commonly used in cured meats to preserve colour, extend shelf life and prevent bacterial growth, particularly against Clostridium botulinum. However, some shoppers are increasingly seeking products labelled as nitrite-free. Others look for products with fewer added ingredients.

Retailers and manufacturers are responding by expanding ranges of alternative cured products. They are also reformulating bacon lines that reduce or remove nitrites while maintaining flavour and safety standards.

Industry analysts say the trend reflects broader consumer interest in ingredient transparency and perceived naturalness in processed food products.

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Source: Food Ingredients First | 12 March 2026

EU Beef Prices Rose 10% in 2025 as Livestock Supplies Tightened

Beef and veal prices across the European Union increased significantly in 2025 as livestock shortages continued to affect the market.

According to data analysed by Eurostat and reported by IndexBox, average EU beef and veal prices rose by around 10% during the year.

Other meat categories also recorded price increases. Lamb and goat prices climbed by 7.2%, while poultry prices rose by 4.4%.

Meat Industry Ireland said the price increases are closely linked to declining livestock numbers in both European and global markets.

The analysis covered 25 countries. Switzerland was the only market to record a fall in lamb and goat prices, down 4.2%, while Kosovo recorded the largest increase, with prices rising by 15.2%.

Analysts say the tightening supply situation is likely to remain a key driver of European meat prices.

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Source: IndexBox / Eurostat | 12 March 2026

Southern Hemisphere Beef Exports to UK Increase as Supply Tightens

Beef exports from southern hemisphere suppliers to the UK have increased as domestic European cattle supplies tighten.

According to reporting by Irish Farmers Journal, Australia has been shipping between 1,500 and 2,000 tonnes of beef per month to the UK since May 2025, making it the third largest beef supplier to the British market.

Brazilian beef exports to the UK also showed strong performance in February 2026, reflecting growing international supply flows into the market.

Industry analysts say the rise in imports is partly linked to tightening beef production across Europe, as well as the effects of the UK Australia Free Trade Agreement, which has expanded access for Australian beef exporters.

The trend highlights how global supply chains are increasingly shaping the UK beef market as domestic cattle numbers decline.

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Source: Irish Farmers Journal | 11 March 2026

AHDB Announces Changes to Deadweight Sheep Price Reporting

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has announced an update to how deadweight sheep prices will be reported in its market data.

According to AHDB, the change aims to improve transparency. It will also ensure that reported prices more accurately reflect current market conditions within the sheep sector.

Deadweight pricing is widely used across the UK livestock industry as a benchmark for lamb values paid by processors.

The updated reporting method is intended to provide clearer market information for farmers, processors and supply chain participants. These groups rely on AHDB data to track price movements.

Industry observers say accurate price reporting is essential for market transparency and informed decision making across the livestock sector.

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Source: AHDB | 11 March 2026

FAO Meat Price Index Rises to 126.2 Points

Global meat prices continued to strengthen in early 2026, according to the latest data from the Food and Agriculture Organization.

The FAO meat price index reached 126.2 points in February 2026. This represents an increase of around 8% compared with the same period in 2025.

Lamb prices have reached historic highs. This is largely driven by reduced export volumes from Oceania, one of the world’s key lamb producing regions.

Beef markets have also been supported by strong import demand from both China and the United States. This adds further upward pressure on global prices.

Pork and poultry markets have remained comparatively stable. Strong supply from Brazil has helped to offset price increases in those sectors.

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Source: FAO / AgroReview | 11 March 2026

Brazil’s Frigol Targets 60% Increase in Beef Processing Capacity

Brazilian beef processor Frigol is planning a major expansion that could increase its annual slaughter capacity by around 60%.

According to reporting by Reuters, the company is pursuing agreements with local processors DistriBoi and RioBeef in the Brazilian state of Rondônia. If completed, the deals would lift Frigol’s annual cattle processing capacity from roughly 650,000 head. As a result, the capacity would rise to more than one million head.

The expansion is also expected to drive revenue growth. The company is projecting turnover of around 7 billion reais in 2026, compared with approximately 4.3 billion reais in 2025.

Frigol said the acquisitions are designed to secure export approved slaughter capacity for the Chinese market. They are also meant to support access to the United States.

The move reflects continued expansion in Brazil’s beef export sector as processors position themselves for growing global demand.

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Source: Reuters | 10 March 2026

Wales Launches New Four Year Strategy for Red Meat Industry

A new strategic plan, called the Wales red meat industry strategy, has been launched. It aims to strengthen the Welsh red meat sector over the next four years.

According to reporting by Business News Wales, Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) has published its latest industry roadmap. It is titled Red Meat Industry Vision: Delivering Value for Wales.

The strategy focuses on three main priorities. These include increasing the volume and value of branded Welsh red meat sold in domestic and international markets. They also aim to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the supply chain. The strategy focuses on strengthening evidence based advocacy for the industry.

José Peralta said the organisation will hold stakeholder engagement events across Wales in early summer. The purpose is to present the detailed business plan and gather industry feedback.

The initiative is designed to support long term growth and resilience in Wales’ livestock and meat processing sectors.

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Source: Business News Wales | 10 March 2026

EU Pork Market Shows Early Signs of Price Recovery

The European pork market is beginning to show signs of recovery, with piglet and carcass prices rising in recent weeks.

According to data from DCA Market Intelligence, piglet prices have surged by around 47% since week three of the year, reaching €56.20 per head by week nine. Prices are higher in some countries, including Spain at €68.75 per head and Denmark at €56.46 per head.

Carcass prices have also increased, rising 5.2% since week three, while live pig prices recorded a 2.8% increase during week nine. Current carcass prices are reported at around €1.63 per kilogram in Poland and €1.60 per kilogram in Germany.

Despite the recent gains, pork prices across Europe remain below five year averages. DCA Market Intelligence has also launched new EU pork price indices covering piglets, live pigs and pork carcasses to help track market movements.

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Source: DCA Market Intelligence | 10 March 2026