Live hogs are trending lower. There is poor demand due to reduced production. Fresh pork prices have been falling all week. Hams quoted higher with limited production. Bone in loins vary from supplier to supplier. Boneless loins, butts and spareribs are all weaker. The overall market is falling. Pork suppliers are still making a little money at these levels. We should see some upward movement after the holiday moving up into the 4^th of July.

 

Live cattle traded lower this week. The futures market has been down for a few weeks and this is now filtering into the live market. Cattle weights are still coming in light compared to last year. With the short kill next week grinds and outside cuts should remain firm. Loins are weak. All major cuts in the loin section of the carcass traded lower on Wednesday. Butts are falling off as well. Middle meats in general dominate the prompt lists. Brisket, chucks and flats are still weld sold out front.

Gulf Shrimp- Market is very firm.  Supplies are light and pricing continues to push upward.

White Shrimp- Market is firm.  Supplies on larger sizes remain tight while smaller sizes are listed as steady.

Salmon- The market firmed up this week with many suppliers starting to allocate product.  Several suppliers are not taking new business at this time as they try to take care of current customers.

King Crab- Market is firm. Supplies are listed as short while replacement product is limited.

Snow Crab-Market remains steady.

Oysters- Market is firm.  Supplies continue to tighten and reduced yields are being reported.

Grouper- Market is steady.

Mahi- Market is reported as steady.

 

Block Market- The market continues to inch up.  Seasonal trends point towards some possible market relief over the next few weeks.

Barrel Market- The market moved up slightly for the 5^th straight week.  Reports point towards relief after Memorial week.

Butter- The market softened slightly again this week.  If seasonal trends are any indicator we should continue to see the market hold steady for the next few weeks before it starts the seasonal climb.

 

Shell Eggs- Egg pricing inched up again this week.  Market is listed as firming.  Seasonal trends would point towards a firmer market over the next few weeks.

Egg Products- Market continues to firm as reports of lower supply versus a higher demand have been reported.

 

Strong outside markets continue to influence the soybean oil market.  The market is trending up this week due to higher crude and other energy commodities that are trending higher.    This market should end the week higher based on renewed buying interest in futures and export sales.

Activity has been just fair and movement mostly flat majority of this week.  Buyers appear to be in hand to mouth buying pattern for the most part.  Inventory levels appear to be mostly balanced. 

WOGs and whole birds are no more than steady.  Whole breasts and breast fronts are in good position and trade at market.  Tenders seem to have tightened up and getting hard to secure.

Dark meat items  domestically has seen more activity, as holiday retail ads  helped  with this movement. 

Wings are fair and remain about steady.

 

Right now long range planning for imports is a guessing game. The Euro which is a key driver of import pricing is on a roller coaster ride. Almost across the board can prices to the manufacturers are increasing. Crop yields and catches are shrinking due to weather and other factors but demand is relatively unchanged.  A quick look at what is happening with some of the more popular imports:

               Pineapple: Thailand is experiencing price pressure due to significant raw material cost increases and can cost increases. Other countries of origin are also experiencing cost increases. Prices are expected to increase. Sourcing is difficult between packs.

Tuna: prices are expected to stay at current levels or increase as raw material costs are driving prices upward for skipjack, Tongol, and albacore. Fishing restrictions and weather are the culprit.

Mandarin Oranges: There is no indication that there is excess supply of mandarin oranges from this year’s crop. Pricing is expected to remain steady.

Mushrooms: China had a very short crop and India has had production problems of their own. Firm pricing is expected to continue for mushrooms.

 

Planting season is in full bore. There have been some frost issues which could affect green beans and beets but it is still early. No canner is reporting any major issues at this point. Inventories on hand are being reported as well balanced heading into the new crop on fruits and vegetables. Root crop vegetables like potatoes and beets are still tight.