Seafood
Anchovy supply situation remains extremely tight from all source countries: Morocco, Peru & Argentina.
December 1, 2023
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Market Headlines
Poultry
The chicken industry is in peak growing season and bigger birds with more product is the result. Breasts have started to tighten. Tenders are available. Wings of all sizes demand has softened slightly. Dark meat demand remains solid. Whole birds are mostly steady.
Pork
Pork butts are seeing some support in the market place. Increased demand on out front buys have brought some strength to this market. All other markets are still seeing declines. Ribs are coming down as well as boneless loins, this is due to weak demand for retail. Bellies continue to search for the their floor and are expected to continue to decline.
Beef
With the Thanksgiving week behind us buyers focus has become laser focused on ribs and tenderloins. Buyers should support middle meats through the end of the calendar year. Strips and short loins continue to offer value and has reinforced higher trades. Chucks and rounds continue to soften. Grinds can best be described as choppy and at best, steady as supplies vary by packer.
Dairy
Shell egg markets are down this week. Barrel & Block market are decreasing. Butter is down. Cream and Culture West Coast pricing will increase for December.
Grains / Oil
An abbreviated trading week and an EPA court ruling helped to push soybean oil futures lower last week. Good rains in Brazil and a near complete U.S. crop harvest all aided in lower markets. Canola seed futures were lower, but not much change in the Canola oil market. Palm was higher with increased demand and El Nino concerns.
Seafood
Alaska Red King prices are high and availability is limited. Peru reportedly just re-opened their 2nd anchovy season 3 days ago and supply remains tight. The imported shrimp market is still experiencing historic lows, but prices are expected to level off soon. Going into the holidays, expect increased usage of shellfish items.
To learn more contact your local Sales Consultant. Market Corner Produce information reflects both U.S. and Canadian markets. All other commodity information is based on U.S. market data only.
Produce Market Updates
Vegetables
Asparagus
With the holiday pulls over lower demand has market down slightly, but demand expected to increase toward mid–December.
Broccoli
Market softer with lower demand. Consistent volume expected this week and next.
Broccolini
Demand exceeds supplies, for next couple of weeks. Sweet baby broccoli may be an option to sub as it is a very similar variety.
Cabbage – Green & Red
Supplies and quality good on both red and green. Market mostly steady on both.
Cauliflower
Market a little softer with most product now harvesting in the desert now. Sizing is heavier to 12ct currently.
Cilantro / Parsley
Cilantro and Parsley supplies and overall quality look good. Market is holding mostly steady for both.
Green Beans
West – Still limited but better after holiday pull subsides. New growing regions in Mexico kicking in.
East – Split market as more growers enter the mix along with a demand drop post–holiday. Florida crop steady. Expecting another spike as we get closer to Christmas.
Iceberg & Romaine
Lettuce market a little softer with good supplies from the growing regions. Good volume and quality this week on Romaine with the market holding steady. Hearts, market is also fairly steady and fair to good quality.
Onions
Short production for the holiday last week coupled with heavy export demand is putting pressure on the onion market. We are seeing snug supplies this week with a trend up in pricing.
Peppers Red & Yellow – Alert
West – All colors are active due to transition. Hot House shortage is affecting this category. Mexico is starting but not expected to fill the pipeline until late December.
East – Alert Red & Yellow – Florida green new crop quality is very nice, but market remains active.
Potato
Supplies are very good on 80ct and smaller sizes with limited availability on the larger sizes. This is due to sheds running smaller sized lots for the retail holiday demand.
Snap & Snow Peas
Market active on both snap and snow as supplies are limited. There is a potential gap this week on snap peas with freezing temperatures in Salinas.
Squash
West – Supply has decreased due to cool weather in growing regions. Market has steadied due to increased pricing, should see better volume late next week.
East – Split market as shippers clearing old crop, new fields showing good quality.
Tomatoes
Rounds remain stable with good availability and quality out east. Grape markets remain on alert status due to extremely low availability which continues to escalate the market. Roma markets have improved with increased availability on lower demand.
Fruit
Avocado – Alert
The market is showing some strength on the 48ct and smaller. #2’s are still limited in supply. Rain in Mexico could slow harvest and push pricing higher.
Grapes
More shippers are saying the end of domestic production is very near. Suppliers are focusing on imports now. Reports are delayed west coast arrivals will make for a rocky transition. Greens showing less availability.
Citrus – Alert
Lemons – Good availability on 115s and smaller. Central Valley is ramping up; Central Coast is slowing down, and the Desert has another 9 weeks to go. Overall peak sizes are 140, 115, 165 between all districts. Market remains steady.
Oranges – Navel supplies are increasing although not fast enough nor keeping up with demand. Prices have decreased. Any rain will cause delays, but there are no major threats are on the horizon.
Limes – Slightly better volume and quality is improving. However, between Thanksgiving and Christmas we see fewer days of packing and more disruption in the supply simply based on harvest.
