Category: Uncategorized

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Freshly Picked, April 11, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Weather issues continue to cause yield loss across many growing regions and commodities, causing added market pressure.

Grains

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The soybean oil market was flat but still in record high territory. Lack of sunflower oil has caused other varieties to be sought after. Corn oil is extremely hard to find.

Dairy

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Avian Influenza concerns are pushing the egg market up. Tightening cream markets are pushing the butter market down. Global demand has pushed the cheese markets up for the week.

Beef

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The market is strong leading into Easter and preparing for Mother’s Day. Inflation is weighing heavily on consumer’s mind. Ribs, strips and tenders are all in good shape showing subtle increase.

Pork

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April is a traditional slow month for pork bellies which are showing signs of weakness. Increased supply in ribs has allowed them to stay flat.

Poultry

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The random breast market is very strong. Portion control breast have a strong demand but tight supplies due to labor constraints. Supply is readily available for the jumbo wing market which has been dropping. Lighter bird weights is constraining production.

Seafood

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The domestic shrimp season is over. The new season will start in May for Whites and July for Browns. Supplies are getting tight on umbo headless shell-on shrimp. 2022 Canadian snow crab quota was 35 million tons, a 34% increase from last year.

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Freshly Picked, April 4, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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Weather issues continue to cause yield loss across many growing regions and commodities, causing added market pressure.

Grains

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The soybean oil market was flat but still in record high territory. Lack of sunflower oil has caused other varieties to be sought after. Corn oil is extremely hard to find.

Dairy

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The egg market remain high due to Avian Influenza concerns. The butter market is up for the week. The bloc and barrel markets are up for the week due to global demand.

Beef

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Ribs, strips and tenders continue to climb. Inflation is causing buyers to monitor consumer spending.

Pork

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Hams are sliding down for the week. Pork belly remains high with demand strong. Strong demand has caused butts to move upwards.

Poultry

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Portioned breasts have tight supplies due to labor but a strong demand. Availability on tenders is tightening. Jumbo wing market is dropping.

Seafood

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Russian crab is unsellable due to the conflict with Ukraine and Russia. A suggested substitute item is Canadian snow crab. 2022 Canadian snow crab quota is 70,000 lbs, a significant increase from last year. Domestic sea scallop season starts April 1st. Domestic shrimp is now off season until May.

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Freshly Picked, March 28, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

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The market is being supplied by Mexico then California, there is a very limited number of Colombian avocados coming in. The supply of avocados will be good, and prices will be a bit weaker as the market looks to find a balance between the supply and demand. 60’s are the dominate size followed by 48’s and then 70’s then 84’s then the jumbo sizes.

Grains

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As crude oil fell last week, so did soybean oil. Palm oil also decreased last week. Corn, wheat and soybeans were all lower as well. Slight reduction last week for soybean and palm oils. Lack of sunflower oil has caused other varieties to be sought after. Corn oil is extremely hard to find.

Dairy

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The block and barrel markets are down for the week due to milk production. The butter market is down as well. The egg markets remain up for the week due to Avian Influenza concerns.

Beef

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Reduction in harvest has helped reduce supply levels. Ribs continue sideways. Strips and tenders continue to reflect steady for the weeks ahead.

Pork

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Hams are sliding down for the next week. Demand for trimmings has weakened. Fresh bellies moved up slightly. Loins are flat for next week as demand and supplies are unchanged. Butts continue to move upwards with strong demand.

Poultry

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Jumbo wing market has been dropping and supply is available. Tender availability is tightening. Random breast market is very strong. Boneless thigh meat price is stable but supply is tightening.

Seafood

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A large part of the Russian crab is unsellable due to the conflict with Ukraine and Russia. A suggested substitute item for Russian snow crab is Canadian snow crab. Domestic scallop season starts April 1st and will begin to replenish inventories.

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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.