Category: Uncategorized

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Freshly Picked, February 6, 2023

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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The availability of slicer cucumbers is still incredibly low in South Florida and Mexico, but it is gradually increasing! The quality of squash and bell peppers is excellent, and they are widely available. Although Florida’s tomato output has increased this week, we are still well below average for this time of year as a result of various weather-related issues over the past three months. Although not particularly alarming, we anticipate lesser production and higher than usual market pricing. Since the crop is currently being affected by the effects of last month’s freeze, which resulted in extremely low yields and greater loss than anticipated, the corn market will be quite short. As chilly temperatures and weather-related damage are producing shortages this season, the hot pepper market appears to be holding steady, with Serrano and Anaheim being the most expensive and scarcest options. Due to the lower temperatures, honeydew and cantaloupe have gotten fairly difficult and won’t likely get any easier until mid-February. Yuma’s weather is still chilly, with frost appearing most mornings. The weather is expected to remain cooler into the first part of next week.

Grains

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Good rains in Argentina and declining diesel fuel prices contributed to the decline in soybean oil prices. Canola, which competes with commodities grown in Australia and Europe, fell lower before returning to neutral last week. As Lunar New Year celebrations come to an end, palm oil market demand is anticipated to increase.

Dairy

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As markets search for a floor because of reasonable demand, shell egg production is declining. Markets for cheese and butter are falling this week due to plentiful supplies and weak demand. The cost of Cream and Culture is going down in February.

Beef

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Tenderloins and ribs are still trading at reduced prices, but prospective floors, particularly for ribs, are a possibility. Strips are in demand because packers offer them as a rib substitute. Chucks and rounds are still trading steadily, with current levels of supply and demand being balanced. The Super Bowl advertising have caused grinds to stall.

Pork

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As we anticipate an increasing trend this month, the butts market increased this week. In light of ongoing retail demand, loins were also moved up for the next week. Although there is still a large supply, the price of ribs is moving sideways. As there is a plentiful supply of fresh goods, belly sizes are still declining.

Poultry

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The price of Jumbo and Medium size breast, tenders, and wings rises in response to seasonal demand. Stronger demand is being seen for boneless thighs. This week, the leg meat remained flat. Due to rising labor and food prices, the price of whole birds and cut ups is on the rise.

Seafood

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After a year of scarcities brought on by water closures, frozen oysters from the Gulf are once more readily available. As the overseas output from the fresh harvest has progressively arrived, the supply of calamari from Asia has improved. It’s almost time for Lent. Lent 2023 for this year starts on Wednesday, February 22 and ends on Thursday, April 6.

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Freshly Picked, January 30, 2023

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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We continue to see a very low supply of cucumbers in South Florida and Mexico, and we don’t anticipate things getting much better for a few weeks. The availability of color peppers is excellent, and squash and bell peppers appear to be lessening. Due to many weather-related effects over the past three months, Florida tomato production is down this week and is still far below average for this time of year. Although not particularly alarming, we anticipate lesser production and higher than usual market pricing. Since the crop is currently being affected by the effects of last month’s freeze, which resulted in extremely low yields and greater loss than anticipated, the corn market will be quite short. Cold temperatures and weather damage are producing shortages this season, but the hot pepper market appears to be holding steady, with Serrano and Anaheim being the most expensive and scarcest varieties.

Grains

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The market for soybean oil remained stable because to improvements in South American weather. The recent drop in canola seed costs is a result of Germany’s potential move away from grain-based biofuels. Low demand causes Palm to decline.

Dairy

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As markets search for a floor because of reasonable demand, shell egg production is declining. Markets for cheese and butter are falling this week due to plentiful supplies and weak demand. The cost of Cream and Culture is going down in February.

Beef

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Winter storms and their potential effects on grades and weights are a hot topic in the market. Tenderloins and ribs are moving at a reduced price but less fiercely than in previous weeks. Strips continue to lose popularity as it seems that most of the buying has already been done. Chucks and rounds are still trading steadily, with current levels of supply and demand being balanced.

Pork

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Pork butts are still in demand and will continue to be weak through February. Due to inclusions in retailer advertisements for the rest of the month, loin prices increased somewhat. The price of ribs is keeping steady and is likely to move sideways for the foreseeable future. Due to the high amounts of cold storage, bellies are declining. Cushion demand has slowed, and this market’s decline is ongoing.

Poultry

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The price of Jumbo and Medium size breast, tenders, and wings rises in response to seasonal demand. The demand for boneless thigh and leg meat is beginning to increase. Due to rising labor and food prices, the price of whole birds and cut ups is on the rise.

Seafood

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Since the majority of crab fisherman switched to targeting cod, Alaskan cod fishing has started and is anticipated to soon fill its quota. Due to excessive stockpiles floating in the U.S. market, the imported shrimp market is still unstable and poor. Due to the reduction of excess stocks, the mahi-mahi market is stabilizing.

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Freshly Picked, January 23, 2023

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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We continue to observe a lower supply and firmer markets for green pepper, zucchini, and yellow squash in South Florida and Mexico. The supply of color peppers is outstanding, but cucumbers are still very scarce and won’t likely get any better for a few weeks. Florida’s tomato production is increasing, but is still significantly below average for this time of year as a result of various weather-related issues during the past three months. Reduced production and higher than usual market prices are what we anticipate. As chilly temperatures and weather damage are producing shortages this season, the hot pepper market appears to be holding steady, with serrano and Anaheim being the most expensive and scarcest varieties.

Grains

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With good news regarding stocks, soybean oil trade last week ended almost unchanged. As availability expanded globally, canola trading declined. The market continued to experience weak demand, which led to reduced prices for Palm.

Dairy

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As markets search for a floor, the demand for shell eggs is falling. Markets for cheese recover but are predicted to fall the following week. Markets for butter grew this week while remaining stable. Prices for Cream and Culture are dropping in January.

Beef

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Buyer and seller tension will remain high as cattle supplies decline, and upward price pressure will persist. Feed lot numbers are not increasing due to two weeks of decreasing carcass weights.

Pork

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Pork Butts are moving down significantly due to weakened demand in foodservice and retail Ribs are down slightly and with a surplus of supply in the market ribs could continue to trend down. Loins are now being featured in retail ads bringing this market up for next week. Bellies are relatively flat. Hams came down as exports to Mexico has slowed down.

Poultry

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The price of Jumbo and Medium size breast, tenders, and wings rises in response to seasonal demand. Leg and thigh meat without bones are available in sufficient quantities. Due to rising labor and food prices, the price of whole birds and cut ups is on the rise.

Seafood

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White shrimp landings have been higher than anticipated thus far, but brown shrimp landings are still below average. Due to the decreased scallop quota, prices are anticipated to stay above historical levels. For both blue and red pasteurized crab, markets have gotten softer.

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Freshly Picked, January 16, 2023

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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As we wait for a significant supply from Honduras, we are
observing a lighter supply in South Florida and firmer markets for green
pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, and cucumbers. The quantity of color peppers
is increasing, and during the following 7 to 10 days, additional pepper should
cross. Due to the frigid climate in the Mexican growing regions, Serrano and
Anaheim pepper prices are still quite high. Due to the chilly temperature,
honeydew and cantaloupe have become rather difficult, but things should get
better over the following 10 to 14 days. Through the weekend and the first few
days of next week, there will be more instances of heavy rain throughout California.

Grains

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Lower futures prices for diesel fuel and declining demand
last week caused the soybean oil market to decline. But Argentina’s dryness
increased the price of soybeans and soybean meal. With revisions to Indonesian
export regulations, canola is running flat while palm oil has increased. Due to
rising COVID cases, there is concern about Chinese demand.

Dairy

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As markets search for a floor, the demand for shell eggs is falling. Markets for cheese are shrinking as demand declines. Butter prices are stable this week, although there are conflicting signs of demand. The cost of Cream and Culture is going down this month while the price of processed eggs is rising as a result of shifting grain markets.

Beef

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Tenderloins and ribs are displaying signs of a market slump. While strips are still in high demand, packers are offering prices that reflect the demand. Chucks and rounds are still trading steadily, and supply and demand levels now being balanced. Grinds are consistently full since packers are in good inventory shape and seem to be piquing enough retail interest.

Pork

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The fresh pork complex witnessed pressure on bone-in loins while supporting boneless loins in the wake of recent deterioration. After holiday interest peaked, butts and picnics kept continuing through the current price correction. Two-sided trading of bellies while trim pricing is bumped higher.

Poultry

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Wing season has arrived as supply has become scarcer. There are tenders available, but the market is becoming more competitive. Although supply is expected to slow down because of the impending short holiday week, breast prices are currently low for the season. Widely accessible for this week will be boneless thigh meat while boneless leg meat is flattening.

Seafood

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Alaska declares lower Cod quotas and higher Pollock quotas. White shrimp landings have been higher than anticipated thus far, but brown shrimp landings are still below average. There was a 30% reduction in overall landings for the USA scallop season from this year to last year.

supply chain management

6 Ways Supply Chain Management Technology Can Help Your Restaurant Brand

You’ve spent the last year adding a tech stack of solutions to your operation in hopes of getting a better look into the health of your brand.

The most important piece of technology you should be investing in is supply chain management technology. It’s impossible to navigate the chaos that is the supply chain and technology can be a huge asset to your brand success.

Supply chain management technology can bring a wide range of benefits to restaurants, helping them to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve the overall customer experience.

How Supply Chain Management Technology Can Help Your Restaurant:

improved efficiency

Improved Efficiency

By automating various supply chain processes, such as ordering, invoicing, and payment, restaurants can save time and reduce the risk of errors. This can help to free up staff to focus on other tasks, such as customer service and food preparation.

inventory management

Better Inventory Management

Supply chain management technology can help restaurants to keep track of their inventory in real-time, allowing them to know exactly what they have on hand at any given moment. This can help them to avoid running out of key ingredients, which can be frustrating for customers and lead to lost sales.

enhanced forecasting

Enhanced Forecasting

By analyzing data on past sales and customer demand, supply chain management technology can help restaurants to better forecast future demand and adjust their ordering accordingly. This can help them to avoid overstocking, which can be costly, and ensure that they have enough product on hand to meet customer demand.

better supplier relationships

Better Supplier Relationships

Supply chain management technology can help restaurants to establish better relationships with their suppliers by streamlining communication and making it easier to place orders and track deliveries. This can help to ensure that restaurants receive the products they need in a timely and cost-effective manner.

reduced costs

Reduced Costs

By automating various supply chain processes and improving inventory management, restaurants can reduce their overall costs. This can help them to boost their bottom line and remain competitive in an increasingly challenging market.

enhanced customer experience

Enhanced Customer Experience

By ensuring that they have the products they need on hand and reducing the risk of errors and delays, supply chain management technology can help restaurants to improve the overall customer experience. This can help to drive repeat business and positive word-of-mouth, which can be crucial for success in the restaurant industry.

Overall, it is clear that supply chain management technology can bring a wide range of benefits to restaurants. By streamlining operations, improving inventory management, and reducing costs, restaurants can improve their efficiency, boost their bottom line, and enhance the customer experience. As such, it is worth considering the adoption of supply chain management technology for any restaurant looking to stay competitive and succeed in today’s market.

At Consolidated Concepts, we have supply chain technology to support your purchasing team with strong contract management and actionable information to help optimize procurement and increase your margins. Not yet a member? No problem! Sign up today for free!

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Freshly Picked, January 9, 2023

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Overall supplies across most commodities continue to see improvement due to warmer temperatures in the growing regions. These increased supplies have helped markets continue their downward trend. The Imperial Valley and Yuma growing regions saw rainfall towards the beginning of the week, which caused slight delays in the fields. However, supplies have continued to increase over the past few weeks and markets continued their downward trends.

Grains

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Due to the dry weather in South America, particularly Argentina, pressure is being placed on soybean oil prices and, in fact, the entire soybean complex. Production of palm oil has been impacted by the severe rains in Malaysia, and Indonesia is once again revising its export regulations. Canola has not altered much.

Dairy

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Higher prices on eggs have started to curb demand. Cheese markets have the potential for softness if demand slows though markets rose last week.

Beef

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As the business adapts to decreasing supply, harvest rates, fed cattle prices, and primal values will all fluctuate significantly outside of historical price trends. There will be less stock on grocery store shelves along with the drop. The market appears to have “frozen” in place as a result of back-to-back decreased harvest weeks and winter storms moving across the nation. Due to possibly low stockpiles, ribs and tenderloin prices have remained stable within the tight delivery window. Strips remain stable; this cut, combined with top butts, has satisfied customer needs and helped the market bounce back from the lows experienced only a few weeks before. Rounds and Chucks are solid. 

Pork

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Futures for lean hogs finished lower. February reached a two-week low and is getting close to being oversold. However, due to the unpredictable weather across the US, pork supplies are generally low. Slower demand results in fewer hams. Light volume and steady bellies were present. Trims were in high demand. 

Poultry

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The season for wings has arrived, but there are still many options at reasonable costs. Product is easily accessible, and tender availability is rising. Seasonally low breast prices will persist through the end of the year, but estimates for slower production will result in a supply shortage. Thigh meat without a bone is widely accessible.

Seafood

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Lobster season in Nova Scotia is coming to an end. Larger tails were disrupted by unfavorable weather. Reductions on Cod and increases for Pollock were announced by Alaska. Landing remain below average for brown shrimp, though the white shrimp season so far has been better than expected.  

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Freshly Picked, January 3, 2023

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Overall supplies across most commodities continue to see improvement due to warmer temperatures in the growing regions. These increased supplies have helped markets continue their downward trend. The Imperial Valley and Yuma growing regions saw rainfall towards the beginning of the week, which caused slight delays in the fields. However, supplies have continued to increase over the past few weeks and markets continued their downward trends.

Grains

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Last week, the soybean oil market recovered as dealers added back some of the volume they had previously sold off. The energy market also strengthened. Due to a decrease in demand and great stock levels, Palm was up. Canola remained almost unchanged. 

Dairy

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Markets for shell eggs should continue to rise because there are now very few of them available, particularly in California. The demand for cheese and butter is slowing down, but milk supply is growing. Prices for Cream and Culture will be lower in January. 

Beef

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Holiday hours were shortened and winter storms reduced availability. On the week, all cuts were constant or increased. The demand for ribs and tenders remains high this week. Strips are still a well-liked intermediate meat option. The price of the chuck and round is rising, and packer positions are getting better. With the short harvest, grinds jumped up and should be a favorite value cut in 2023. 

Pork

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Butts are still trending up thanks to retail advertising demand. Butts are trailing loins in order. Even though exports are declining, the price of ribs is still keeping reasonably steady, thus this market should remain stable. Given the short harvest week and the sideways trading in stomachs, the market may move upward. Trimmings are also decreasing. 

Poultry

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The time of year when there are the most wings available is called “wing season.” Product is easily accessible, and tender availability is rising. Seasonally low breast prices will persist through the end of the year, but estimates for slower production will result in a supply shortage. It’s easy to find dark meat. Both the price and supply of whole birds and cut ups are generally stable.

Seafood

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Public freezers around the country continue to struggle with over capacity issues. Supply chain challenges persist even though there are some signs of improvement.

restaurant mda

4 Key Components of a Master Distribution Agreement

A restaurant master distribution agreement is a contract between a restaurant and a distributor that outlines the terms of the distribution relationship between the two parties. This type of agreement is often used in the food and beverage industry, where a restaurant needs to source its products from a distributor in order to operate.

Key Components of a Restaurant Master Distribution Agreement

Key Components of a Restaurant Master Distribution Agreement

  1. The agreement should outline the specific products that the distributor will be responsible for providing to the restaurant. This may include a wide range of items, such as food, drinks, and other supplies. The agreement should also specify the terms of delivery, including the frequency and method of delivery, as well as any associated fees.
  2. In a restaurant master distribution agreement, if not the most important, is pricing. The agreement should outline the cost of the products being provided, as well as any discounts or promotions that may be available. It may also include provisions for price adjustments based on market conditions or other factors.
  3. In addition to the terms of the distribution relationship, a restaurant master distribution agreement may also include provisions for the handling of any disputes that may arise between the two parties. This may include provisions for mediation or arbitration, as well as clauses outlining the consequences for breach of the agreement.
  4. A restaurant master distribution agreement provides a clear and formalized relationship between the restaurant and the distributor. This can help to ensure that the restaurant has a reliable source of products and can operate smoothly, as well as helping to minimize the risk of disputes or misunderstandings.

A well-drafted restaurant master distribution agreement can provide protection for both parties in the event of any issues that may arise. For example, the agreement may include provisions for the termination of the relationship in the event that the distributor fails to meet the terms of the agreement, or if the restaurant experiences financial difficulties.

Overall, a restaurant master distribution agreement is an important tool for any restaurant looking to establish a reliable and effective distribution relationship with a supplier. By outlining the terms of the relationship and providing a clear set of guidelines, the agreement can help to ensure that the restaurant has the products it needs to operate and grow, while also helping to minimize the risk of disputes or misunderstandings.

Interested in learning more about Master Distribution Agreements? Download our FREE e-book!

Negotiate. Find Hidden Savings. Lock in Pricing. Master Distribution Agreement Consolidated Concepts - 2019 EBook. Download Your Free Guide.

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Freshly Picked, December 27, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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As growing regions saw warmer temperatures, many volatile markets have continued to see a downward trend. We will likely see slightly cooler temperatures, but markets are expected to continue the downward trend.

Grains

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Last week, the soybean oil market recovered as dealers added back some of the volume they had previously sold off. The energy market also strengthened. Due to a decrease in demand and great stock levels, Palm was up. Canola remained almost unchanged.

Dairy

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Egg markets continue to increase as supply is extremely tight. Milk supply is increasing, and demand is slowing causing cheese and butter markets to decline 

Beef

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The market is scarce because packers cut back on harvest last week and winter storms are sweeping the nation. Due to festive demand, ribs and tenderloins are still in high demand. Last-minute purchasers continue to fill in with this cut to meet the need for a middle meat choice as strip sales remain steady. The round and chuck are still trading mixed. The biggest gain from reduced harvest has been in grinds. 

Pork

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Butts are still trending up thanks to retail advertising demand. Butts are trailing loins in order. Even though exports are declining, the price of ribs is still keeping reasonably steady, thus this market should remain stable. Given the short harvest week and the sideways trading in stomachs, the market may move upward. Trimmings are also decreasing.

Poultry

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Over the weekend, two commercial egg layer farms were found to be HPAI-positive, adding another 2.5 million birds affected this fall. The farms were in South Dakota and Washington, respectively. HPAI is still having an impact on turkeys, with 9 million birds lost this year. Expect Turkey prices to continue high and for the selections to decrease. The season for wings has arrived, but there are still many options at reasonable costs. Product is easily accessible, and tender availability is rising. Seasonally low breast prices will persist through the end of the year, but estimates for slower production will result in a supply shortage. Thigh meat without a bone is widely accessible. Leg meat without bones is flattening. Both the price and supply of whole birds and cut-ups are generally stable.

Seafood

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The season for Gulf oysters began on November 1. Multiple bays are closed in order to safeguard and rebuild oyster reefs. Introducing the Ecuadorian Portico Imperial Latin White Headless Shell-On shrimp. For more information, kindly contact your sales consultants. Hillman Half Shell Oysters are now offered from the La Porte, Texas, warehouse.

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Freshly Picked, December 19, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Markets have seen continued volatility as growers deal with cooler weather, rainfall, multiple hurricanes, and growing region transitions which have considerably impacted overall yields through most growing regions. We will likely see markets remain higher for the remainder of the year.

Grains

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Wheat and corn fell this week. Soybean markets moved much higher with poor crop news from South America. Canola oil was flat. Palm oil market was pulled down due to a large sell-off of speculators long position.

Dairy

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Markets for shell eggs have increased significantly; the supply is currently very limited, especially in California. As milk production rises and demand begins to wane around the holidays, cheese and butter markets are beginning to contract. Decreasing prices for Cream and Culture in December. 

Beef

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Decisions were taken as packers’ per-head profits decreased. Packers started reducing their harvest as early as last weekend and in the coming weeks. Due to festive demand, ribs and tenderloins are still in high demand. As shoppers continued to demand a middle meat alternative, strips did get firmer than in previous weeks. Chucks, rounds, and grinds are still traded in a mixed bag. 

Pork

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Butts continue to rise above expectations due to store interest and advertising features. Next week, the market for ribs is expected to witness a modest increase, but it should then level off and remain essentially flat. As demand for this product continues to decline, loins have marginally decreased for the upcoming week. The massive cold storage inventories and decreased demand continue to drive down belly prices. 

Poultry

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Over the weekend, two commercial egg layer farms were found to be HPAI-positive, adding another 2.5 million birds affected this fall. The farms were in South Dakota and Washington, respectively. The season for wings has arrived, but there are still many options at reasonable costs. Product is easily accessible, and tender availability is rising. Seasonally low breast prices will persist through the end of the year, but estimates for slower production will result in a supply shortage. Thigh meat without a bone is widely accessible.. 

Seafood

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The lobster season in Nova Scotia is coming to a close. The possibility for the larger tails has been hampered by the poor weather. Alaska declares lower cod quotas and higher pollock quotas. In Texas and Louisiana, landings of head-on shrimp for peeling have significantly decreased.