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Beef packers continue to fight the financial battle to breakeven. Markets saw a $2/lb reduction in live cattle prices last week but also saw an $8.80+ decrease in the choice boxed beef cutout value.
Turkey supply remains very tight across the complex. Whole bird and Ready to Cook Turkey breasts are in high demand and are hard to find if you haven’t booked your holiday needs.
Cooler weather is helping to improve bird weights and it’s causing supply to improve. Tenders have freed up in the open market with extra product available. Wing demand continues to be solid but there excess if needed. Breasts of all sizes are showing good availability. Availability of thigh and leg meat has improved.
Markets have strengthened on butts. Bellies continue with volatility. Trim markets have re-strengthened again. Loins remain steady. Ham markets are remaining higher than normal. Ribs are steady, back ribs are still inflationary year over year.
Grading percentages remain mixed with choice & select decreasing and prime/upper two thirds’ items on the gain. Middle meats are showing decent availability after long periods of tightness. End cuts & ground beef are still outpacing the middle meats by showing signs on increasing packer inventory & lower prices.
The egg market is down across the board. California Jumbo, Extra-Large, and Large shell eggs are down. Medium shell eggs are flat. The Block market is down. Butter is down. Cream remains readily available.
No serious damage reported out of Mexico due to the tropical storm, but harvest was delayed in some regions. Overall market is steady and quality good. Peruvian supply continues to
improve as more fields open.
East – Green supplies good, quality good, demand good, and the market steady. Red and Yellow steady supplies, good quality, strong demand and the market is steady. West – Steady supply as several regions are in play. Quality is good to excellent. Color market lower.
Market continues to climb as growers deal with lower yields from insect pressure and moderate to strong demand. Quality is fair.
Market is firmer as supplies begin to tighten up but expected to keep up with demand. Quality is good.
Market is higher as supplies are tighter and increased demand. Quality is reported as good to very good.
Market on parsley and cilantro is steady with good supplies. Quality reported as good on both.
East – Supplies are tight, quality is good, demand is strong, and the market is increasing. West – Stronger market due to weather in growing region. Quality is just fair, market is higher.
Market is lower but remains active, as yields remain under budget. Lower demand is really driving the market and expected to remain volatile. Quality is reported as good.
Market on romaine is lower, and hearts remain elevated but mostly steady on strong demand and fair to good supply. Quality is fair to good for both.
Yellow, red and white supplies are good. Idaho and Washington harvest continues. California will pack thru September. Quality is good in all areas. Prices are steady in all shipping regions.
Market is experiencing the typical “Harvest Market” decline this week in Idaho. Expecting it to continue for another couple of weeks as pack-outs and early volume is good. Washington market is mostly steady.
East – zucchini supply, quality, demand all good, market steady. Yellow supplies, quality, demand are good, market steady. West- Zucchini market showing an uptick as supplies slow due to cooler weather. Yellow squash very short, better next week, quality fair.
Round, grape, & cherry markets remain stable with good availability both east and west. Roma markets are escalating due to overall lack of availability both east and west. Quality will vary amongst shippers.
Mexico – Steady volume with good quality and fair to good demand. Expected to continue throughout September. Volume still tight on 32’s – Most other sizes especially 48/60’s are in better supply. 70/84’s could become tighter as we move thru the month. Category 2 fruit remains very light.
Lemons- Supplies are tight; quality is fair to good, demand is strong, and the market is increasing. Fruit will remain tight globally through the next two months. Oranges- Supplies are tight, quality is fair to good, demand is strong, and the market is steady to increasing. Demand exceeds supplies on 113s/138. Limes- Supplies are good, quality good, demand good and the market is steady to decreasing. Markets have softened slightly as increased volumes of new crop product begin entering the U.S. Growers are actively working to clear remaining old crop inventory.
All grapes in great supply and very nice quality. Expecting that to continue for weeks to come.
Supplies tight, quality good, demand strong, and the market increasing. Demand exceeds supply. The volume will remain short for the next 2-3 weeks. Flexibility on sizing will be needed to fill orders.
Supplies are declining in Central Cal. Southern Cal volume is increasing demand is slower. Quality varies due to warmer temps, and we start to see rain drizzle. Sizing varies and subbing to organic may be seen. Prices are higher.
