The southeastern U.S. and Mexico’s growing regions have been experiencing adverse weather conditions, leading to lower yields. Additionally, the heightened national demand during the holiday season is further contributing to the upward pressure on prices, which is expected to persist for the next 3-4 weeks. In Yuma, rain is in the forecast with an estimated rainfall amount of 1-3 inches last week. The amount of rain is not enough to damage the crops seriously but is enough to slow down harvesting, as excessive mud will make it hard for trucks and tractors to get through fields.
Grains
Biofuels and less demand caused last week’s movement in the energy markets downward. This contributed to the decline in the price of soybean oil. A portion of the drop in demand for biofuels was caused by increased use of Canola oil. With ample supply and decreased Chinese demand, palm oil prices remained stable.
Dairy
This week, shell egg markets are closed. Barrels are expanding slightly, while block markets are contracting. Time for butter. There will be some fluctuations in the cost of Cream and Culture in December.
Beef
Buyers’ attention is still focused on tenderloins and ribs due to the holiday. The price of middle-aged meat has been supported by demand. Shortloins and strips are nevertheless valuable, and increased trades have been supported by interest. Chucks and rounds keep getting softer as boxes begin to form and purchasers’ attention wanes. At best, grinds are constant and choppy since packers have different supplies.
Pork
Butts are seeing a little decline in the market after an unexpected increase last week. Given the relative flatness of boneless loins, sideways trading is to be anticipated in the upcoming weeks. Ribs are also exchanging sideways. Their bellies are shrinking quickly because they are still searching for the floor. Trimmings are likewise trading sideways, and demand is stable.
Poultry
During the height of the chicken industry’s growth season, larger birds with greater yields are the outcome. The breasts are beginning to contract. There is availability on tenders. Demand for wings of all sizes has somewhat decreased. The market for dark meat is still strong. The demand for whole birds is rising.
Seafood
The Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife has closed the Texas Gulf oyster beds, which will impact availability. Alaska Red King crab is available, albeit at a premium price. According to reports, Peru reopened its second anchovy season three days ago, although there is still a shortage. The market for shrimp imports is still struggling.
The southeastern U.S. and Mexico’s growing regions have been experiencing adverse weather conditions, leading to lower yields. Additionally, the heightened national demand during the holiday season is further contributing to the upward pressure on prices, which is expected to persist for the next 3-4 weeks. In Yuma, rain is in the forecast with an estimated rainfall amount of 1-3 inches last week. The amount of rain is not enough to damage the crops seriously but is enough to slow down harvesting, as excessive mud will make it hard for trucks and tractors to get through fields.
Grains
Biofuels and less demand caused last week’s movement in the energy markets downward. This contributed to the decline in the price of soybean oil. A portion of the drop in demand for biofuels was caused by increased use of Canola oil. With ample supply and decreased Chinese demand, palm oil prices remained stable.
Dairy
This week, shell egg markets are closed. Barrels are expanding slightly, while block markets are contracting. Time for butter. There will be some fluctuations in the cost of Cream and Culture in December.
Beef
Buyers’ attention is still focused on tenderloins and ribs due to the holiday. The price of middle-aged meat has been supported by demand. Shortloins and strips are nevertheless valuable, and increased trades have been supported by interest. Chucks and rounds keep getting softer as boxes begin to form and purchasers’ attention wanes. At best, grinds are constant and choppy since packers have different supplies.
Pork
Butts are seeing a little decline in the market after an unexpected increase last week. Given the relative flatness of boneless loins, sideways trading is to be anticipated in the upcoming weeks. Ribs are also exchanging sideways. Their bellies are shrinking quickly because they are still searching for the floor. Trimmings are likewise trading sideways, and demand is stable.
Poultry
During the height of the chicken industry’s growth season, larger birds with greater yields are the outcome. The breasts are beginning to contract. There is availability on tenders. Demand for wings of all sizes has somewhat decreased. The market for dark meat is still strong. The demand for whole birds is rising.
Seafood
The Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife has closed the Texas Gulf oyster beds, which will impact availability. Alaska Red King crab is available, albeit at a premium price. According to reports, Peru reopened its second anchovy season three days ago, although there is still a shortage. The market for shrimp imports is still struggling.
Colder temperatures out of the Southeast and Mexico growing regions and increased holiday demand have caused many markets to increase considerably, and higher prices are expected for the next several weeks. Volumes remain relatively steady out of the Yuma growing region. Growers have seen ice delays on lettuce over the past few days. The ice will likely cause blister and epidermal peeling. Growers mitigate this on the harvesting level to minimize the blister and peel. We could see decreased weights and yields in the coming weeks.
Grains
According to USDA data, the soybean oil market was down about 3% from the previous month. The need for biofuels has also decreased. Canola is steadily declining but is anticipated to rise. Due to rival vegetable oils, a decline in Chinese demand, and strong output, palm dropped down.
Dairy
This week’s markets for shell eggs are up. Markets for barrels and blocks are expanding. It’s butter time. The prices for Cream and Culture in December will fluctuate somewhat.
Beef
Overall, it seems that the market has settled into a stable tone. The near-term demand for middle-of-the-road beef prices is expected to persist throughout the year. Strips still have good tones and are reasonably priced. Chucks and rounds keep getting softer as the boxes begin to fill. The best way to characterize the grinds is choppy, and the supplies differ from packer to packer.
Pork
Next week, butts moved up once more. This market should continue to be robust due to decreased harvest numbers and strong demand. The pricing trend for ribs is firmer than anticipated. Through the end of the year, loins should continue to decline. Bellies are still erratic and are making yet another significant compromise. Anticipate further volatility in this market.
Poultry
There are still breasts available. Most tenders are accessible. Demand for wings of all sizes has somewhat decreased. The market for dark meat is still strong. The demand for whole birds is rising.
Seafood
The Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife has closed the Texas Gulf oyster beds, which will impact availability. Alaska Red King crab is available, albeit at a premium price. According to reports, Peru reopened its second anchovy season three days ago, although there is still a shortage. The market for shrimp imports is still struggling.
The more favorable growing conditions combined with the lower demand after the holiday season helped most markets see a decline. However, demand is expected to pick up in the next two weeks and remain strong through the end of the year, which historically brings a slight uptick in markets. There have been minimal growing or harvesting disruptions in the Yuma, AZ, growing region. Supplies remain steady for most commodities. However, Broccolini supplies remain extremely limited and are expected to remain limited for the next 1-2 weeks. Demand has remained steady for all commodities.
Grains
Soybean oil prices declined last week as a result of an EPA court decision and a shortened trading period. Lower markets were helped by good rainfall in Brazil and a nearly full crop harvest in the United States. Although there was no movement in the canola oil market, canola seed futures saw a decrease. Concerns about El Nino and rising demand drove up palm prices.
Dairy
Markets for shell eggs are closed this week. The market for barrel and block is shrinking. It’s butter time. The price of Cream and Culture on the West Coast will go up in December.
Beef
Now that Thanksgiving week is passed, consumers are entirely fixated on ribs and tenderloins. Up to the end of the year, consumers ought to support middle-cut meats. Short loins and strips are still valuable, which has supported increased transactions. Rounds and chucks keep getting softer. The best way to characterize grinds is as choppy, and at most steady, depending on the packer.
Pork
In the marketplace, there is some support for pork butts. There has been considerable strength in this sector due to an increase in demand for upfront purchases. There are still decreases in every other market. Because of the poor retail demand, ribs and boneless loins are declining in popularity. Bellies are predicted to keep getting smaller as they look for the floor.
Poultry
During the height of the chicken industry’s growth season, larger birds with greater yields are the outcome. The breasts are beginning to contract. Tenders are available. Demand for wings of all sizes has somewhat decreased. The market for dark meat is still strong. The majority of whole birds are steady.
Seafood
Prices for Alaska Red King are steep, and supplies are scarce. According to reports, Peru only reopened its second anchovy season three days ago, yet there is still a shortage. Although the market for imported shrimp is currently at all-time lows, prices should soon start to rise again. With the holidays approaching, shellfish products should be used more frequently.
Increased demand, growing region transitions, and weather effects continue to negatively impact supplies on many commodities and are expected to remain elevated over the next several weeks. The full transition to Yuma has been fairly smooth this year. There hasn’t been any disruption in the supply chain for most commodities. Broccolini supplies will be very limited for the next two weeks as growers expect a gap in supply due to lower-than-expected production as they finish the Salinas growing region and lower yields out of Mexico caused by weather issues.
Grains
Although the week’s average for futures was little down overall, it ended the week strongly. The market’s trajectory was not significantly impacted by the USDA WASDE report. The ongoing dry spell is slowing down agricultural growth in South America. Canola seed saw an increase after dropping to six-week lows. With worries about El Nino, palm is higher.
Dairy
This week’s markets for shell eggs are up. Block and barrel sales are declining. It’s butter time. The prices for November’s Cream and Culture will be higher.
Beef
Following two weeks of substantial harvests and a decrease in the overall cutout, packers have reduced their output. Chuck rolls and the grind complex are the main causes of the recent decline in the beef market. Beef interest is lukewarm this season. The upper 2/3 or CAB product is still in a well-sold position.
Pork
Even while there is some counter seasonal movement with butts, the demand for pork is still declining. Last week, we saw an upsurge in boneless butts and B/I along with some rekindled enthusiasm. Although currently trading sideways, ribs should start to move lower. Due of low demand, loins are declining. Bellies are also continuing to go downward.
Poultry
During the height of the chicken industry’s growth season, larger birds with greater yields are the outcome. The breasts are beginning to contract. There are open tenders. Demand for wings of all sizes has somewhat decreased. Demand for dark meat is still strong. Most birds as a whole are steady.
Seafood
According to reports, Peru reopened its second anchovy season three days ago, although there is still a shortage. Although the market for imported shrimp is currently at all-time lows, prices should soon start to rise again. The market for tilapia is plateauing following issues with inventory. As the holidays approach, clam products should see an increase in use.
When overseeing multiple locations, understanding the intricacies of Master Distribution Agreements (MDAs) becomes essential in navigating the complex landscape of the foodservice industry. This blog serves as a compass, illuminating the vital components and nuances of these agreements.
What is a Master Distribution Agreement?
A master distribution agreement (MDA) is a comprehensive contract between a manufacturer or supplier and a distributor that governs the terms and conditions of their relationship regarding the distribution of products. This agreement outlines the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of both parties involved in the distribution process.
MDAs provide a structured framework for the distribution relationship, minimizing misunderstandings and conflicts between manufacturers and distributors. They offer a roadmap for how products will be sold, delivered, and marketed, ensuring a consistent and mutually beneficial partnership.
How is an MDA related to the supply chain?
An MDA (Master Distribution Agreement) plays a significant role within the supply chain, especially in scenarios where manufacturers or suppliers rely on distribution partners to reach their end customers. Here’s how an MDA intersects with the supply chain:
Streamlining Distribution: An MDA outlines the terms and conditions for the distribution of products, specifying how goods move from the manufacturer to the end consumer through intermediaries, enhancing supply chain efficiency.
Inventory Management: The agreement addresses inventory levels, replenishment schedules, and responsibilities, influencing efficient inventory management within the supply chain.
Logistics and Transportation: The MDA defines delivery terms and logistics responsibilities, impacting the logistical flow within the supply chain.
Quality Control: It sets expectations for product quality and consistency, ensuring that the supply chain maintains these standards throughout the distribution process.
Risk Mitigation: MDAs often include clauses addressing risk allocation and liability, establishing procedures for mitigating risks within the supply chain.
How does a Master Distribution Agreement work?
A Master Distribution Agreement (MDA) delineates the terms and conditions governing the relationship between a manufacturer or supplier and a distributor. Here’s how it typically works:
Negotiation and Drafting: The process starts with negotiations between the manufacturer and the distributor, discussing various aspects of the agreement, including scope, pricing, territories, marketing support, etc.
Execution and Implementation: Once finalized and signed, the distributor gains the right to sell and distribute the products according to the agreement.
Distribution Process: The distributor procures the products from the manufacturer and distributes them to various retailers, wholesalers, or end customers as per the agreement, handling logistics, marketing, and sales activities.
Compliance and Performance: Both parties are expected to comply with the terms of the MDA, ensuring product quality, fulfilling orders, meeting sales targets, and maintaining marketing commitments.
Monitoring and Amendments: Throughout the agreement, both parties monitor compliance and performance, potentially renegotiating or amending the MDA to accommodate changes affecting the distribution relationship.
Termination or Renewal: The MDA specifies the duration of the agreement and conditions for termination or renewal.
MDAs are crucial in defining the distribution relationship, ensuring clarity, and protecting the interests of both the manufacturer and the distributor.
What are common areas of a master distribution agreement?
The sections within a Master Distribution Agreement (MDA) typically cover various aspects of the relationship between the manufacturer or supplier and the distributor. Here are 10 common sections found in an MDA:
Introduction and Definitions: Basic details and clarification of terms used.
Appointment and Scope: Defines what the distributor is responsible for, including products, territories, and rights.
Terms, Termination, and Renewal: Duration, conditions for ending or extending the agreement.
Distribution Obligations: Responsibilities for marketing, sales, and reporting.
Pricing, Payments, and Orders: Details pricing, discounts, payment terms, and ordering procedures.
Product Delivery and Quality Control: Covers shipping, delivery, quality standards, and inspection processes.
Intellectual Property and Rights: Ownership, usage, and protection of trademarks or patents.
Warranties, Liabilities, and Indemnities: Guarantees, limitations of liability, and responsibility for product issues.
Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure: Protects sensitive information shared between parties.
Governing Law and Disputes: Specifies the law governing the agreement and procedures for resolving disagreements.
Why should restaurant operators pay attention to their MDA?
Multi-unit restaurant operators should focus on their Master Distribution Agreement for several crucial reasons:
Consistency Across Locations: MDAs establish standards for product quality and supply chain management, ensuring consistent customer experiences across multiple units.
Economies of Scale: Operators benefit from volume-based discounts and negotiated pricing, leveraging these economies of scale effectively across their network.
Supply Chain Efficiency: Clear terms dictate logistics, delivery schedules, and inventory management, ensuring efficient operations without disruptions.
Operational Streamlining: Clarity on MDA terms facilitates efficient procurement, inventory management, and distribution strategies.
Relationship with Distributors: Understanding terms fosters a collaborative partnership with distributors, aligning expectations and responsibilities.
Compliance Monitoring: Adherence to MDA terms allows for consistent compliance and timely interventions if deviations occur.
Negotiation Power: Knowledge of the MDA’s impact on operations gives operators better leverage in negotiations for renewals or modifications.
Each MDA significantly influences the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and uniformity of operations across a restaurant network, warranting close attention.
How do operators get the most out of their Master Distribution Agreement?
Getting the most out of a Master Distribution Agreement involves several key strategies, and partnering with experts can significantly enhance these efforts:
Leveraging Expertise: Partnering with specialized service providers Consolidated Concepts aids in negotiating and optimizing purchasing strategies within the MDA terms.
Maximizing Cost Savings: Experts leverage purchasing power for competitive pricing and volume-based discounts, optimizing costs.
Tailored Solutions: Tailoring MDA terms to align with unique requirements ensures maximum benefits across all units.
Streamlined Operations: Comprehensive solutions from Consolidated Concepts assist with logistics, inventory management, and supply chain optimization.
Data-Driven Insights: Analyzing data helps make informed decisions for refining strategies and maximizing MDA benefits.
Partnership for Growth: Strategic partners contribute to the growth and profitability of the restaurant network.
Continuous Support: Ongoing support assists in monitoring compliance, addressing challenges, and optimizing the agreement.
Partnering with Consolidated Concepts enables operators to unlock the full potential of their MDAs, driving growth, operational efficiency, and profitability across their restaurant business.
Increased demand, growing region transitions, and weather effects continue to negatively impact supplies on many commodities and are expected to remain elevated over the next several weeks. The Yuma transition is complete, but a few items are shipping from Salinas, and all value-added shippers have transitioned. Quality is expected to improve out of the desert region, but growers still see issues such as lighter weights, seeders, twist, and increased insect pressure.
Grains
: Last week, soybean oil prices declined further as dealers kept liquidating their holdings and purchasing soybean meal. Good demand is being experienced, and energies are beginning to rise. There is a strong market for biofuels, so expect some increased trading. The demand for canola seed is low for exports. Palm is flat to up with good availability and low demand.
Dairy
This week’s markets for shell eggs are up. Block and barrel sales are declining. It’s butter time. The prices for November’s Cream and Culture will be higher.
Beef
Following two weeks of substantial harvests and a decrease in the overall cutout, packers have reduced their output. Chuck rolls and the grind complex are the main causes of this week’s decline in the beef market. Beef interest is lukewarm this season as we approach the turkey-heavy Thanksgiving holiday. Throughout the animal, the upper 2/3 or CAB product is still in a well-sold position.
Pork
Even while there is some counter seasonal movement with butts, the demand for pork is still declining. Next week saw an upsurge in boneless butts and B/I along with some rekindled enthusiasm. Although currently trading sideways, ribs should start to move lower. Due of low demand, loins are declining. Bellies are also continuing to go downward.
Poultry
During the height of the chicken industry’s growth season, larger birds with greater yields are the outcome. The breasts are beginning to contract. There are open tenders. Demand for wings of all sizes has somewhat decreased. Demand for dark meat is still strong. Most birds as a whole are steady.
Seafood
According to reports, Peru reopened its second anchovy season three days ago, although there is still a shortage. Although the market for imported shrimp is currently at all-time lows, prices should soon start to rise again. The market for tilapia is plateauing following issues with inventory. As the holidays approach, clam products should see an increase in use.
Due to weather effects, growing region transitions, and increased demand, markets have continued to strengthen and are expected to remain elevated over the next several weeks. Western veg (broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce) markets saw an increase as supplies are lighter due to the tired crops and the transition. Huron has one more week to go; the quality is still very good. In Yuma, growers are seeing smaller and lighter weights with overall lighter volumes from both areas. The market is expected to remain active, and the forecast is to continue to strengthen into the holiday demand.
Grains
: Last week, soybean oil prices declined further as dealers kept liquidating their holdings and purchasing soybean meal. Good demand is being experienced, and energies are beginning to rise. There is a strong market for biofuels, so expect some increased trading. The demand for canola seed is low for exports. Palm is flat to up with good availability and low demand.
Dairy
This week’s markets for shell eggs are up. Markets for barrels and blocks are shrinking. Butter is still down. The prices for November’s Cream and Culture will be higher.
Beef
Packers have unsold positions as a result of larger harvests, rising prices, and poor demand. Trade in the market is becoming softer. In most cuts, the upper 2/3 or CAB product continues to be well-sold. Demand is still the unpredictable factor. The week of Thanksgiving should be watched for shortages to add a little excitement to an otherwise gloomy market.
Pork
The sluggish demand for pork is causing all primal markets to drift downward overall. Butts keep going downhill and will never stop pushing. Similar to butts, boneless loins are seeing lackluster demand from foodservice and retail establishments. When the demand for reservations declines, ribs also decline. Bellies continue to experience downward pressure as cold storage stockpiles are pushed out by suppliers.
Poultry
It’s the height of the poultry industry’s growth season. All sizes of breasts have a good supply, but we are witnessing a tightness. There are more tenders available, particularly for larger sizes. There is a constant supply of wings in all sizes, but the demand is starting to decline. Dark meat is still quite popular. Whole birds are mixed to steady.
Seafood
According to reports, Peru reopened its second anchovy season three days ago, although there is still a shortage. Although the market for imported shrimp is currently at all-time lows, prices should soon start to rise again. The market for tilapia is plateauing following issues with inventory. As the holidays approach, clam products should see an increase in use.
Weather effects continue to cause lower yields across many commodities. These effects are expected to last through the end of the year. Markets out of the Salinas Valley remain stable, with steady supply and overall good quality. Huron has some seeder issues with the past warm weather. The transition to Yuma is upon us. Next week will be the last week for Value- Added shippers, with the first day shipping out of Yuma on Monday, Nov 13th. A few carton commodities have started already in Yuma, with a few more starting next week, but the majority of everything will be the following week.
Grains
Trade in soybean oil remained unstable as it maintained its downward trend. Meal climbed up. Looks like the traders are focused on early planting problems in South America. With soybeans and a weak incoming harvest, canola seed was more expensive. Although palm was lower, El Nino circumstances were predicted to cause it to rise.
Dairy
This week’s markets for shell eggs are up. Block is declining as barrel markets are rising. Butter is also down. The prices for November’s Cream and Culture will be higher.
Beef
The bigger harvest persisted for one additional week because packers had orders to complete. Strips, tenders, and ribs all continue to trade at higher prices, with limited supply on upper two or three boxes. Rounds and chucks have a good balance, and retail should be planned for November advertisements. Grinds are consistent to marginally less strong.
Pork
For the sixth week in a row, butts decreased, and we anticipate that this market will continue to decline in line with typical seasonal tendencies. The demand for spareribs has soared, but it should pass quickly. We anticipate rib complicated decreases. There is therefore little demand for boneless loins, and this trend will continue. Bellies are still falling sharply, and there is no sign of this market’s recovery.
Poultry
During the height of the chicken industry’s growth season, larger birds with greater yields are the outcome. All sizes of breasts have an abundant supply. There are more tenders available, particularly for larger sizes. There is a consistent supply and good demand for wings of all sizes. The desire for dark meat is still high. Most birds as a whole are steady.
Seafood
According to reports, Peru reopened its second anchovy season three days ago, although there is still a shortage. Although the market for imported shrimp is currently at all-time lows, prices should soon start to rise again. The market for tilapia is plateauing following issues with inventory. As the holidays approach, clam products should see an increase in use.
Weather events in several growing regions continue to cause a decline in supply across many commodities. We expect to see these commodities impacted for the next several weeks. Supplies out of the Salinas Valley are steady, and markets saw a decline. Growers continue to see other issues such as tip burn, mildew, insect pressure, brown bead, slightly lower weights, INSV, Sclero, and Fusarium. Growers are doing their best to mitigate this at the harvesting level.
Grains
With attention on the most recent USDA report, South American planting, and the status of the US harvest, soybean oil traded flat last week. Due to extreme dryness, South American crop is behind schedule. Last week, technical trading caused canola seed prices to drop, but palm prices remained stable due to a healthy supply and demand balance.
Dairy
This week’s shell egg markets are flat. Block and barrel markets are rising. Although butter is down, there are signs that the market will drop over the coming weeks. The prices for November’s Cream and Culture will be higher.
Beef
Because packers had to fulfill orders last week, there was a higher harvest. Packers’ payments for cattle resulted in higher prices for beef. Tenders, strips, and ribs all went up higher. Chucks and rounds continue to outperform due to greater pricing driven by seasonal demand. The grinds are still steady. 81% of primal source grinds are steadfast in their demands for greater prices.
Pork
For the sixth week in a row, butts decreased, and we anticipate that this market will continue to decline in line with typical seasonal tendencies. The demand for spareribs has soared, but it should pass quickly. We anticipate rib complicated decreases. There is therefore little demand for boneless loins, and this trend will continue. Bellies are still falling sharply, and there is no sign of this market’s recovery.
Poultry
During the height of the chicken industry’s growth season, larger birds with greater yields are the outcome. All sizes of breasts have an abundant supply. There are more tenders available, particularly for larger sizes. There is a consistent supply and good demand for wings of all sizes. The desire for dark meat is still high. Most birds as a whole are steady.
Seafood
A few days ago, Peru reopened its second anchovy season, although there is still a shortage. Although the market for imported shrimp is currently at all-time lows, prices should eventually stabilize. The severe flooding in China is expected to cause supply and pricing issues for the tilapia market in the first quarter of the upcoming year.
