Top of Mind News
- Mexico slaps tariffs on U.S. steel, agricultural products
- FoodBAM Transforms Inventory Management, Ordering for Restaurants
- Think Twice Before Making Supply Chain Changes
- Retailers, restaurants press Congress for technical fixes in GOP tax law
The Dish Tips
GRAPE TOMATOES: Grape Tomatoes out of both Florida and Mexico are limited due to quality issues, and pricing continues to increase.
Consider using Roma tomatoes where applicable for better pricing and quality.
LEMONS: Lemon markets remain very active due to extremely tight supplies on smaller sized fruit (Lemons 165s and smaller).
While 165 ct lemons often have better cost-savings per wedge, consider using 115ct lemons until supplies see some relief in early July.
The Farm
Poultry
For the week ending May 26th, chicken output fell .6% from the previous week and was .9% smaller than the same week a year ago. For the six weeks ending May 26th, chicken production was tracking just .5% above 2017. Chicken producers have seen feed costs rise this year while chicken] prices have faded. If this trend persists, then only modest year over year output gains may occur due to smaller margins. This could support the chicken markets this summer. April 30th chicken stocks were 9% more than last year but breasts were down 3%, and leg quarters were smaller by 3%. This week Mexico failed to announce any tariffs on U.S. chicken, but it is a big buyer of boneless skinless thigh meat. Chicken thigh meat prices are usually choppy in June.
Beef
Beef output last week fell 10.1% from the prior holiday shortened week but was 3.5% larger than the same week a year ago. Recent cattle on feed data hints that strong year-over-year gains in beef output should last into the summer. Per the USDA, the May 1st U.S. cattle on feed inventory was 5.1% larger than last year, but cattle placements into feedlots during April were down 8.3%, the second consecutive month of lower placements. This could result in a cattle supply gap this fall. Beef demand is strong. For the four-week period ending last Friday, forward beef sales were a whopping 34.5% better than the previous year. Still, history suggests that many beef items can soften now through July.
Pork production last week was 11.7% smaller than the prior holiday shortened week but was up 4% from the same week in 2017. Pork output is likely to seasonally wane in the near term but remain above year ago levels. In Q3, production is forecasted by the USDA to rise from Q2 by 140 million pounds. This should temper any notable upward price pressure on pork this summer. Mexico said it is implementing a 20% tariff on U.S. hams. Since 2013, the average move for the ham (23-27 lb.) market over the next five weeks was up 20.4%.
The Sea
Most seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported and is subject to currency change valuations. The value of the U.S. dollar has risen rather sharply this spring with the official index climbing to a two-year high. This makes the U.S. an even more attractive destination for the world’s seafood which should encourage exports and temper the various seafood markets.
The Garden
Produce
Tomato supplies from Florida have improved and are helping to influence prices downward. Tomato shipments from the state last week were 4.2% better than the same week last year. The principal tomato growing areas will be shifting north on both the east and west coasts in the coming weeks. This could cause some modest supply disruptions at times. Avocado imports from Mexico declined last week but continued to track above the previous year. Imports from the country were 65.8% larger than the prior year. History suggests avocado prices could firm in the coming weeks.
The Kitchen Sink
During April, U.S. cheese output was just .9% better than the prior year. This is due in part to a bigger share of milk output going to California during the month. U.S. milk production in the largest cheese producing state, Wisconsin, during April was down .6% from 2017. Mexico this week announced import tariffs that will rise during the next month on cheese imports from the U.S. The country in 2017 accounted for 28.3% of our cheese exports. This could weigh heavy on the cheese markets in the near term. U.S. butter output in April was 8.3% bigger than the prior year.
The U.S. 2018-19 winter wheat harvest is underway with 5% in the bin as of June 3rd. The crop has been challenged by adverse weather for just about the entire growing season, and crop ratings are some of the worst for this time of the year in the last two decades. This could underpin wheat prices this month.
Gas/Oil
The EIA’s most recent national average retail diesel fuel price was 28.1% more costly than a year ago. Although strong trucking activity is boosting diesel fuel demand, lower crude oil prices as of late should influence diesel prices downward.