“We think exports are going to be OK this year. There is not going to be a big drop-off in exports,” he said. “I think a conservative assumption would be that exports out of the U.S. will not be quite as robust as they were a year ago.”
“We do think the value of the dollar versus other currencies is definitely going to affect exports and we do think the worldwide economic situation is going to affect them. But we don't think there is going to be a collapse,” he added. The USDA has predicted that poultry exports will be down 13 percent, while chicken production would drop 3 percent.
Sales to Russia, the largest overseas buyer of U.S. chicken have been fairly strong so far, although that business could weaken. The country has been working to increase its chicken production and may be able to meet its own needs within three years, Reuters reports.
Source: Reuters
Land O'Frost adds Canadian bacon cuts
“As a lunchtime favorite for more than 50 years, it’s a natural extension for Land O’Frost to take a seat at customers’ breakfast table,” said David Van Eekeren, president. “Breakfast Cuts is our opportunity to reach loyal customers of our regular Canadian bacon and new shoppers across product segments.”
Land O’Frost is currently the third-largest brand of Canadian bacon in the United States, and the top-selling brand in several markets across the West and Northwest regions.
Source: Land O’Frost
Darden income drops in Q3, performs better than expected
As a result, Darden raised its fiscal-year earnings view and said it expected sales to be flat to down 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter. In the third quarter, same-store sales dropped 3.2 percent, with Olive Garden dropping 1.4 percent, Red Lobster dropping 4.6 percent and LongHorn dropping 5.4 percent.
“We're pleased with our sales and earnings performance this quarter given what was clearly a period of considerable macroeconomic weakness and consumer uncertainty,” said Clarence Otis, chairman and CEO of Darden. "As many consumers respond to the current environment by reducing dining out frequency, having strong brands matters more than ever. And, our competitively superior same-restaurant sales results are the clearest indication that Darden has proven brands with broad appeal and strong guest loyalty.”
Source: CNN , Darden Restaurant Inc.
Carl's Jr. brings back Jumbo Chili Dog
Brad Haley, executive vice president of marketing at Carl’s Jr., said “We’ve had great success in recent years with Chili Cheeseburgers and Chili Cheese Fries, so it made sense to give another all-American standard a try, especially since Chili Dogs have a nostalgic meaning for us. This time around, we brought in Farmer John hot dogs, of ‘Dodger Dog’ fame, and topped them with spicy beef chili, mustard and chopped onions, dubbing the resulting creations, ‘Jumbo Chili Dogs.’”
Source: CKE Restaurants Inc.
