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Weekly harvest came in last week at 560k head which is the lightest we have seen this year. It’s been seven weeks in a row that the harvest has been sub 600k. As packers continue to lose
money, they will closely monitor.
Lent kicks off next Wednesday, 3/5, and will last until Friday, 4/17. Please be prepared for the increase in seafood consumption.
Most offerings are seeing tighter supply because of increased demand, smaller birds, and winter weather closing plants. Breasts of all sizes are seeing BIG increases in demand. Tenders demand has been mostly steady. Wings are readily available. Thigh meat demand is picking up. Whole birds stayed mostly balanced.
Ham Markets softened due to domestic demand. Bellies are unsettled as cold storage reports still show a deficit to prior year. 42’s are softer with increased availability while 72’s are still tight. Loins are mostly steady. Butts are steady. Ribs are steady for St. Louis and Backs, Spares are seeing increased demand.
The price of cattle surged $8-$10/cwt higher and pushed the choice cutout value to a 52-week high. Packers raised most all cuts over past week but the strength continues to come from the middle meats. All middles are in a well sold position to start April. End cuts and grinds are a little better position over past week.
Shell egg markets are down this week and California eggs are down with no recent outbreaks to report. The Block is up & Barrel are down. Butter is up. Which is confusing because milk is growing and cheese production isn’t strong, then butter should be.
Controlled volume have created a well-balanced supply and demand scenario for asparagus. Market is slightly higher due to increased demand. Inclement weather is forecasted to continue with higher markets.
East – Green and red pepper supplies are good, quality is good, demand is good, and the market is steady. Yellow pepper supplies tight, and the market is increasing.
West – Strong demand for all varieties, two-tiered market due to plenty of off-grade quality. Market is lower for greens and steady for color bells.
Market holding steady but as Yuma winds down market could get active. Salinas harvest should begin in a light way next week. Quality is good.
Market higher as desert production slows down. Salinas product should start mid next week. Quality is fair to good.
Market is a bit higher but not much movement with good supplies and moderate demand. Quality is reported as good.
Market higher as desert production slows down and yields are lower. Huron product should start late next week with some growers. Market expected to be active until we settle up North. Quality is fair to good.
Market a bit stronger but supplies continue to meet the good demand. Expect market to be active as it starts to transition North. Heart market is also higher, and quality is good.
Supplies are good in the N West. Some shippers are pushing to end early which has reduced pricing. Demand remains steady. Quality is good, with good sizing. Prices are slightly lower in some areas. Texas new crop will start in one to two weeks.
Supplies are good and look to be so thru the season. Sizing is heavy to large with most growers being lighter on small sizes. Quality is good. Prices are lower.
East – Yellow supplies tight, quality is good, demand is strong, and the market is increasing; zucchini supplies, quality, and demand good; market is steady.
West – Moderate demand, with regional shift in play market is holding steady. Yellow availability is lighter for #1 grade.
Round, Roma, grape, and cherry markets are increasing east and west due to reduced availability with steady demand.
Mexico supplies are tight, quality is good, demand is strong, and the market is increasing. California supplies are tight, quality is good, demand is strong, and the market is increasing. Colombian supplies are tight, quality is fair to good, and the market is increasing.
Supplies are still on the lighter side, but suppliers are keeping up with the demand.
Lemons – Supplies are in good supply on all sizes, quality is excellent, demand is fair to good, and the market is steady.
Oranges – Supplies are good, quality is excellent, demand is good, and the market is steady. Size structure is shifting heavier to larger sizes.
Limes – New crop supplies are good on small sizes, and limited volume on large sizes, this trend is expected to run through March and possibly into April. Quality has improved overall specifically in the small sizes.
Good supplies and quality in the East and the West. Expected to remain steady for the next several weeks.
Supplies are tight, quality is fair to good, demand is strong, and the market is steady to slightly lower. 6/7s seem to be the shortest in supply. Expect supplies to remain tight through Easter.
