Category: Uncategorized

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Freshly Picked, March 14, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Mushrooms are in a dire state. High prices and limited availability continue to plague the industry. 

Grains

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Soybean, canola and palm oil markets are up. Sunflower oil market is down 50% as much of the production derives from Ukraine. Poor production of palm oil is pushing the market to an all time high. Drought in South America is pushing soybean oil high.

Dairy

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Current demand and milk production are pushing block and barrel markets up. The butter market is up as the egg market is down.

Beef

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Ribs continue to trade sideways. Strips and tenders are looking to bounce.  Weather has impacted harvest levels and transportation. Since packers need to keep boxes moving, aggressive buying levels are the norm.

Pork

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Fresh bellies have declined while supply has remained strong. Hams are continuing upwards as we head towards Easter and Mothers Day. Retail has seen a new interest in bellies keeping the market moving up. Spareribs will continue to trade sideways.

Poultry

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Breast Market is up and demand is staying strong. Wings are down but are slowly increasing. Tenders were up and the market is staying strong.

Seafood

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Oyster companies are looking for raw materials to freeze. All Texas public fishing areas are closed. There is a record low harvest for Gulf Oysters

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Freshly Picked, March 4, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Mushrooms are in a dire state. High prices and limited availability continue to plague the industry. 

Grains

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Wheat is quite a bit higher this week. Crude oil prices moved close to $100 per barrel. The lack of sunflower oil being exported from Ukraine has pushed buyers to seek other varieties of oil.

Dairy

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Egg markets remain down for the week due to uncertainty in demand. Block and barrel markets are mixed and the butter market is down.

Beef

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Weather has impacted harvest levels and transportation. Since packers need to keep boxes moving, aggressive buying levels are the norm.

Pork

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Hams are pushing up as the market prepares for Mothers Day and Easter. Demand for bellies rises and remains strong. Retail is pushing an upward trajectory for butts.

Poultry

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Whole birds were up this week. Demand for breasts was strong this week but market remained flat. Peak wing season is approaching, and prices are decreasing sharply. Tenders were higher with demand.

Seafood

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Seafood items will be widely featured in menus due to Lent for the next 6 weeks leading up to Easter.

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Freshly Picked, February 21, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Mushrooms are in a dire state. High prices and limited availability continue to plague the industry. 

Grains

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Soybean oil continues to move higher with volatility over the last week. Soybean oil is moving higher along with canola due to tensions in the Black Sea region. There has been 15% increase in soybean oil since last month.

Dairy

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Butter, block and barrel markets are down for the week. Continued bad weather across the country are driving cream and egg markets up. 

Beef

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Larger supplies and lack-luster demand drove this week’s market to be under pressure. Outpacing demand are rib and tender availability. Overall market pressure could drive price lower.

Pork

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Hams were sold off this week as exports to Mexico are down. Ribs are trading side ways but demand is steady. Butts are expected to remain stable.

Poultry

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Tenders were up while dark meat was flat. Wings should continue to be available. The breast market continues to be very strong. Whole birds were up as supply continues to tighten.

Seafood

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The Covid resurgence has made restaffing difficult in China. Record low harvest for Gulf Oysters. Oyster companies are scrambling to acquire raw materials to freeze for the half-shell market. Supplies will be tight in the coming months.

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Freshly Picked, February 28, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Mushrooms are in a dire state. High prices and limited availability continue to plague the industry. 

Grains

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Slight break last week in the soybean oil market. Canola remains firm. We can expect higher canola values.

Dairy

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A downturn in retail demand has brought the egg market down. Butter markets are up for the week because of tight milk supplies. Available inventories caused the block and barrel market to move up.

Beef

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Chucks and rounds are trending lower. Cattle harvest is approaching pre-COVID levels. Demand should be more evident this week. Rib, tenders and strips may have reached lows last week.

Pork

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Butts are steady. Export markets are seeing increased demand in hams. Spareribs move up for next week. Low demand for retail bacon is causing bellies to hold firm. Boneless butts are more available across markets.

Poultry

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Wings are more readily available. Random breast market is very strong and continues to increase. Boneless dark meat is stable. Portion control breast have strong demand.

Seafood

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Mahi-mahi portions will be tight due to below average harvest in 2021/22 season. Swordfish is considered a great alternative. Record low harvest for Gulf Oysters due to mortality rate. Half shell oysters will be tight through summer.

Savings

How Can I Drive Restaurant Growth and Maximize Savings?

These days, every penny counts and anywhere you can maximize savings is crucial to your bottom line.

Is it the end of an era? Not quite. The current supply chain crisis doesn’t look to be coming to an end anytime soon which means operators must find ways to maximize savings to keep costs low and profits high while navigating an uncertain supply chain.

Bracing for continued price increases and supply shortages, restaurants are scrambling to keep up with commodity pressures and order delays.

More and more restaurants are outsourcing their supply chain management and turning to technology solutions to streamline processes and gain visibility into their purchasing.

At Consolidated Concepts, we are committed to helping you run a more efficient restaurant operation and are dedicated to maximizing your savings through the help of technology and industry expertise.

When you become a Consolidated Concepts member, you get access to exclusive savings and services that drive restaurant success such as:

Supply Chain Management

There is no better time then now to future proof your supply chain processes. Not only has it been difficult for restaurants to find a willing workforce, they’ve also been challenged with finding solutions to manage a chaotic and unpredictable supply chain.

Our experts work to identify the right products for your operational needs and solutions to help you reduce overhead. Our full-service supply chain management services minimize your costs so you can put money back into your bottom line.

We perform various functions such as product sourcing, contract negotiation, managing overcharges, managing inventory, and looking for new distributor contracts.

supply chain management

Data and Technology

Restaurants generate large amounts of data from multiple sources every day. This data is filled with incredible value and insights about your purchasing.

The challenge is understanding the data and what to do with it. By cleaning and organizing the data, you open the door to analyze your restaurants purchasing history.

For multi-unit restaurants, this can be a major opportunity for cost savings.

Our industry leading technology is the most advanced food procurement spend management tool in the industry. It provides clean data and dashboards with in-depth information into purchasing trends, pricing, contracts, rebate management, overcharges, location-level spending, and more.

data and technology

Maximize Savings with Rebates and Deviations

What if we said you could be earning cashback on the items you’re already purchasing?

It’s true.

As a multi-unit restaurant operator, taking advantage of rebates and deviations should be a no brainer.

At Consolidated Concepts, we analyze your purchases and identify savings opportunities and rebates so you can put money back into your pocket. Our rebate and deviation contracts with over 350 manufacturers on over 165,000 line items cover every category imaginable.

rebates and deviations

Produce Management

If you haven’t already, it’s time to consider utilizing a produce management program as they offer a wide variety of benefits to multi-unit restaurants.

One major benefit a restaurant receives by joining a produce program is full visibility throughout the produce process so you can choose the right produce specifications for your restaurants needs.

Produce management is a best practice and ensures your customers are getting the best quality foods on their plates – or in their cocktail glasses.

Not only can a produce program help you stay on top of food safety and traceability, but it also protects your operation from price fluctuations throughout the year.

produce management

Partner with Consolidated Concepts 

Take advantage of instant savings and fully customizable service and ensure your multi-unit operation is running at its full potential.

At Consolidated Concepts, our clients have the strongest procurement departments in the restaurant industry. By Partnering with Consolidated Concepts, you get access to massive buying power, hard-won expertise, and insightful data and analytics.

Boost profitability and improve procurement when you become a Consolidated Concepts member.

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Freshly Picked, February 14, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Mushrooms are in a dire state. High prices and limited availability continue to plague the industry. 

Grains

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Soybean oil is moving higher along with canola due to tensions in the Black Sea region. There has been 15% increase in soybean oil since last month.

Dairy

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Continued bad weather is driving the cream and egg markets up causing a shift from retail to foodservice. Block, barrel and butters markets are down for the week.

Beef

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Strips, loins and top butts are increasing in demand. Underperforming food service demand is causing tenders to slide. Packers are showing improved production. Transportation and foodservice demand continue to be volatile. Packers have noted that availability of cows is tighter than expected.

Pork

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Hams are expected to go back up with increased labor shortages. Bellies continue an upward trend due to tightened availability. Strong buying has caused butts to gain strength.

Poultry

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Tender availability is tightening. Breasts continue to have a strong demand with tight supplies. Wings are more widespread with availability on all sizes.

Seafood

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The season is ending for mahi-mahi. The 2021/2022 catches are below average resulting in higher costs.

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Freshly Picked, February 7, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Mushrooms are in a dire state. High prices and limited availability continue to plague the industry. 

Grains

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Soybean oil markets continue to move higher with poorer then expected crops in South America. Good demand and less available stocks are pushing Canola and Palm Markets Higher.

Dairy

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Butter markets are down for the week while the cream and eggs markets are up due to continued bad weather across the country.

Beef

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Packers are showing improved production. Winter storms in the Northeast and Midwest are hindering distribution. Ribs and tender demand are steady. Strips, butts and short loins are increasing in demand.

Pork

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butts are gaining strength again. Loins are seeing an increased demand. Hams are coming down again but are expected to go back up with increased labor challenges.

Poultry

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Weather and COVID are affecting overall fresh chicken production. Tender availability is tightening and wings are more available in all sizes.

Seafood

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Congestion in ports has not improved, impacting seafood pricing and availability. Inflation persists in most seafood categories.

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Freshly Picked, January 31, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Mushrooms are in a dire state. High prices and limited availability continue to plague the industry. 

Grains

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Soybean oil markets continue to move higher with poorer then expected crops in South America. Good demand and less available stocks are pushing Canola and Palm Markets Higher.

Dairy

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The block and barrel markets are in decline for the week while the butter, cream and eggs market are up due to bad weather across the country.

Beef

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Demand remains softer given the demand and sales for January and February year after year. Transportation, labor and COVID continue to heighten volatility within the market.

Pork

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Hams hit their floor last week and are starting to come back up. Loins came off their lows and made some big gains. Butts remained flat.

Poultry

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Whole birds were up this week as supply continues to tighten. Bad weather in the East and Midwest coupled with staffing issues is impacting production across the country.

Seafood

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Congestion in ports has not improved, impacting seafood pricing and availability. Inflation persists in most seafood categories. .

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Freshly Picked, January 24, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Mushrooms are in a dire state. High prices and limited availability continue to plague the industry. 

Grains

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Soybean markets moved higher due to continued dryness in South American. Reduction in production was announced by Brazil. Palm and Canola both moved higher with production softening.

Dairy

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Weather conditions are driving mixed markets. Butter market has moved much higher in recent weeks.

Beef

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Several factors are effecting beef. Weather Omicron, reduced harvest and transportation issues are stressing demand. Inventories are tight due to retail demand and limited inventory. End cuts are moving higher in price. Strips, ribs and tenders continue to trade higher.

Pork

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Increased labor struggles are causing supply for boneless and precooked bacon supplies to tighten up.

Poultry

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Overall Fresh Chicken production is being effected by weather and COVID. The market for random breasts is very strong and continues to increase.

Seafood

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Fishing areas being shut down for conservation is leading to a record low harvest for Gulf Oysters. Keta salmon fishery came in way below the forecast harvest. Logistical constraints is resulting in short supply.

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Freshly Picked, January 17, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Mushrooms are in a dire state. High prices and limited availability continue to plague the industry. 

Grains

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Soybean oil markets moved higher over the last couple of weeks due to demand increases, higher crude oil, much higher palm oil, and a consistently high Canola market. 

Dairy

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Processed cheese and milk markets are up for the week due to tightened milk supplies. Egg markets are up due to higher retail demand as companies and schools return to remote operations.  

Beef

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Packers have been allowed to drive prices up. Shorter production weeks has allowed producers to better position inventories.  Strips and tenders are trading steady. Ribs continue to slow in demand and drive pricing down. Chucks and rounds are following seasonal trends. 

Pork

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Butts showed a slight dip due to labor issues. Hams are continuing to trend down but are expected to trend back up. Bellies continue to gain strength 

Poultry

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Outside forces, like weather and Covid, are affecting fresh chicken this week. Wings and tenders are becoming more available as while the random breast market is facing supply constraints.  

Seafood

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Inflation prices are hurting the sector as 85% of the seafood in the US is imported.  Atlantic salmon inventories are rising while most of the tilapia being harvested are small.