OPUS International
Industry Update - February 2026

​Labor market
Food manufacturing employment was approximately 1.78 million in January 2026 (latest available heading into February), essentially flat to slightly down month over month and roughly in line year over year. Production and nonsupervisory employment continues to make up the majority of the workforce, with wage growth holding steady as companies compete to retain skilled labor.  Average hourly earnings remained near the high-$28 range, and average weekly hours held close to 39–40 hours, reflecting a workforce that is still heavily utilized despite limited headcount expansion.

Job openings
While food manufacturing-specific openings are not broken out monthly, broader nondurable goods manufacturing job openings increased modestly heading into early 2026. This suggests a slightly firmer hiring backdrop, though still measured.  Hiring remains focused on critical, high-impact roles, rather than broad-based expansion—particularly in R&D, FSQA, and plant leadership.

Consumer behavior
Consumer demand in February remained steady but value-conscious. Grocery inflation continued at a moderate pace (roughly 2–3% year over year), while food-away-from-home inflation remained elevated (around 4%+).  Consumers are continuing to:

• Balance at-home vs. away-from-home spending
• Prioritize value and promotions
• Show increased interest in health-forward, protein-rich, and clean-label products
• In practical terms, demand is holding—but is being reallocated toward products that justify price or deliver functional benefits.
• Across public commentary and product activity, three themes continue to emerge: value, health/protein, and simplification
  

Food manufacturers are responding with:

• Reformulation toward cleaner labels
• Higher-protein positioning
• Portion control and smaller pack sizes
• Continued focus on private label and value-tier offerings

Large-company news this month

• February activity across major food companies reflects a continued focus on discipline and repositioning:
• Large CPG companies are emphasizing cost control and margin protection, particularly in packaged foods
• Increased investment in innovation pipelines aligned with health and satiety trends
• Early adaptation to GLP-1-driven consumption shifts, influencing product design and portfolio strategy
• Ongoing portfolio optimization, including brand focus and selective divestitures

Bottom line
The sector in February 2026 remains stable but selective. Employment is essentially flat, hiring is targeted, and consumer demand is steady but increasingly value-driven.