March Market Bites: Supply, Pricing & Seasonal Insights

As we move into autumn, markets are beginning to stabilise across several key categories, although tight supply remains a factor in some areas. Here’s what you need to know this month across protein and produce.

Beef

We have good programmed chilled supply from Silver Fern Farms and Pure South, ensuring consistent availability across core lines.

Beef kills have slowed dramatically due to wet weather and strong grass growth, which may impact supply in some areas.

International demand for NZ beef remains strong despite significantly higher buy prices over the past year. NZ beef pricing is currently stable. While some global resistance to current pricing is emerging, the ongoing global beef shortage is expected to keep pricing largely steady.

Alternative Prime Beef (PR/PB) continues to sell well as a more cost-effective option compared to Prime Steer (PS). However, it’s important to note that Prime Beef does not eat as well as Prime Steer.

The NZD has stabilised after strengthening against both the EUR and USD over the past two months, helping to keep a lid on further price increases.

Lamb

There has been no significant change in the lamb market this month, with pricing stabilised for now. The strengthening NZD is providing some support.

We have a strong lamb range available from Fresh Meats, Silver Fern Farms, Lumina, Hand Pick 10 and Pure South, offering good coverage across foodservice needs.

General lamb supply remains tight. We expect to see more frozen Australian lamb entering the NZ market, primarily BRN shoulders, legs and foreshanks.

NZ Pork

There are no major changes in the pork category this month.

Pricing remains stable for Foodservice, with no significant supply disruption to report.

Seasonal transitions are underway, with summer fruit winding down and autumn crops beginning to come through.

What’s In / Starting

• Figs – In stock now

• Passionfruit – Available now

• Pears (Green, Bosc & Nashi) – Now locally supplied

• Swede – New season underway with good supply

• Feijoas – Expected to start in March

• Brussels Sprouts – Starting in March

• Celeriac – Coming through

• Kiwifruit:

  • Local Red – Starting first week of March

  • Gold – From mid-March

  • Green – From late March

What’s Looking Good

• Pumpkin

• New season apples

  
  

Season Winding Down / Short

• Nectarines, peaches, plums & apricots – Season winding down

• Strawberries & blueberries – Tightening as season ends

• Bananas – Shortages due to weather impacts and shipping delays

  
  

Finished for the Season

• NZ oranges

• NZ lemons

• Cherries

• Blackberries

• Red witloof (finished until July; white still available)