OPUS International
Industry Update - December 2025

Labor market
Food manufacturing employment in December 2025 held at approximately 1.78 million, closing the year on largely stable footing. Hiring activity through Q4 was measured, with most companies maintaining headcount rather than expanding, reflecting a continued focus on cost control and operational efficiency.  Average hourly earnings remained in the high-$28 range, with average weekly hours near 39–40 hours, indicating that while hiring slowed, existing teams continued to operate at high utilization levels.

Job openings
Broader manufacturing job openings softened slightly into year-end, consistent with typical seasonal patterns and a more cautious hiring environment. Within food manufacturing, hiring remained targeted and strategic, with companies prioritizing roles that directly impact production reliability, quality, and product innovation.
There was limited evidence of broad-based hiring expansion, but continued demand for experienced talent in key functional areas.

Consumer behavior
Consumer demand during December reflected the typical holiday-driven uplift, though with a noticeable overlay of value-conscious behavior. Grocery spending remained steady, supported by seasonal purchasing, while food-away-from-home continued to carry higher pricing, reinforcing selective dining behavior.
Consumers showed a willingness to spend during the holiday period, but with greater attention to price, promotions, and perceived value, particularly in center-store and discretionary categories.

What shoppers seem to be favoring
Seasonal demand remained strong across traditional holiday categories, but broader trends continued to take shape beneath the surface. Products positioned around value, convenience, and improved nutritional profiles performed more consistently, while some discretionary snack and premium segments showed more variability.
There is a growing emphasis on simpler formulations, protein-forward products, and cleaner labels, trends that continued to influence product development pipelines heading into 2026.

​Large-company news this month
End-of-year commentary from large food companies emphasized margin discipline, portfolio focus, and cautious optimism heading into 2026. Many companies highlighted progress on cost management initiatives while continuing to invest selectively in innovation aligned with evolving consumer preferences.
There was also increasing discussion around structural shifts in consumption patterns, including early consideration of GLP-1-related impacts, though most companies are still in the evaluation and planning phase.

​Bottom line
December 2025 closed the year with a sector that is stable, disciplined, and preparing for a more selective growth environment. Employment remained steady, hiring was targeted, and consumer demand was supported by seasonal factors but increasingly value-driven.
From a talent perspective, demand continued to concentrate in roles that support innovation, quality, and operational performance, setting the stage for continued selective hiring in early 2026.