Quandt’s Foodservice Distributors

Market Update – September 6, 2010

Fresh Produce – Bob Sardelli Ext.1914

STRAWBERRIES: Light demand and moderate supplies is causing a slightly weaker market the middle of this week. Strawberry quality is slowing improving this week. The forecast is calling for temperatures to warm up into the mid 80’s over the next few days. The Northern strawberry growing areas will go till the first major rain event hits which is typically some time in October. Only Mother Nature knows when this will happen. The Oxnard fall crop will be the next area to come into play some time in September followed by Mexico in the middle of October. Florida starts up the first part of November.
BROCCOLI: This market is stronger on bunched product as well as crowns. The availability is lighter compared to past weeks production, but demand will determine how far this market will climb. With Labor Day approaching, demand may be light. Mexico supplies will be moderate to good throughout the week. The quality is expected to be strong throughout the week in all of the growing areas.
ORANGES: Large size Valencia’s are in good supplies, but supplies of 113’s and 138’s are very tight with increased demand for these sizes.
EASTERN SQUASH: The squash market will jump as we head into the weekend. Georgia has begun shipping squash but volume will be very light for the first couple of weeks. By mid September we should see considerable volume out of the south.

Poultry, Beef, and Dairy – Neil Sheehy Ext.1924

DAIRY: The butter market is making another run upward as supplies remain historically limited and notable volumes of milk are pulled into schools for the start of the school year. July 31st butter holdings were 24% less than last year and the smallest for the date since 2005. However, butter supplies did build during July marking the first such occurrence in six years. Seasonal charts suggest that the upside risk in the butter market from here may only be modest. Cheese prices are jumping higher as well. The cheese markets are anticipated to peak fairly shortly.
POULTRY: The boneless skinless chicken breast market is trading at six year highs. With demand likely to wane and chicken output anticipated to track above the prior year, formidable chicken breast market declines are expected this fall. The chicken wing markets remain firm as demand slowly builds. Last year, the jumbo cut chicken wing market rose 6% during the next seven weeks.
BEEF:  Beef output is forecasted to remain below the prior year levels next month. Many of the beef markets are moving upward due in part to solid Labor Day holiday demand. Beef sales appear to be tiring suggesting that a top in beef prices is near.

Seafood – Rick Knapp Ext.1935

Scallops-At today’s scallop auction in New Bedford prices jumped again for all sizes and from all areas. One major reason scallop prices remain high for Domestic scallops are the weak American dollar. Demand from Europe remains very strong and the major freezing operations in New Bedford are shipping large quantities into the European market, capitalizing on a weaker U.S. dollar.
Groundfish- Landings have increased this week as many large draggers are returning from Georges Bank with good supply of Haddock.Canadian supply remains limited; there are small quantities of hook fish available at reasonable prices. Many Canadian boats will also land ahead of the storms and some of the product will be shipped to the USA. However the weak American dollar has caused many suppliers to sell their product in Canada keeping the bulk of the landings north of the border. 
Shellfish- Landings of most shellfish have been very good, but with extremely hot and humid weather and two hurricanes approaching red tide could blossom, or areas could be closed next week because of heavy rain and runoff.

Quandts fresh seafood program- If you are looking for a special seafood item and you need it right away, ask your Quandts sales representative about our 12:00 pm cut off for next day delivery .
We allow you more time to plan for your seafood needs!