

Stay ahead of industry trends in the market with Bidfood's Market Bites, the latest updates across key product categories. From pricing pressure to seasonal shifts, here’s what you need to know to plan your menus with confidence.

Beef
NZ Beef kill has hit the brakes for the season.
Seasonal maintenance, shutdowns and calf processing underway. Limited Beef production from the operational plants.
Export demand is huge and will remain so, but NZ supply is not there. Domestic supply simply isn't meeting demand.
Pricing does seem to have stabilised for now. Will be time to start relying on our Australian beef and frozen NZ product.
Lamb
Global Lamb Price Index shows that global sheep meat demand has improved close to record levels.
Prices are firm and seem to have taken a breather for August.
Other notes
NZ Meat Board figures show the country’s lamb kill is behind 10% for the current season, with beef behind 6%.
It looks like we are at the start of the journey as global pricing appears sustainable.
Need to remember there is also a global red meat shortage.
Pork:
Prices are stable from Europe, while in America, prices are starting to rise due to increased summer demand.
Chicken:
Remains a reliable and affordable protein, with strong and stable supply and no major disruptions forecasted.

NZ Fresh Salmon: Supply remains tight, with improvement expected by October 2025
Hoki / Blue Grenadier: Vessels now fishing in NZ & Australia - new season catch available early September 2025

Passionfruit: Supply inconsistent due to wet, cold weather
Tamarillo: Good supply
Strawberries: Australian fruit improving, becoming more consistent
Jerusalem Artichoke: Recovering well - after weather bad weather effects
Brussels Sprouts: Great winter supply and quality
Green Beans: Now Australian imported
Green Cabbage: Potential price rises due to weather
Melons: Supply likely inconsistent for a few more weeks
NZ Navel Oranges: Good supply
Mandarins: Australian season well underway
Grapes: Red, green and black are all available and imported from the US
Witloof (red & yellow): Excellent quality and supply
Mesclun, Rocket and Baby Spinach: Due to wet weather are in short supply

The dairy market remains volatile, with Fonterra holding its record-high milk price forecast of $10 per kgMS.
Key factors include:
Unstable NZ/USD exchange rates
Strong European pricing
Tight US supply with high demand
Good news: NZ suppliers are holding prices for cheese and butter this quarter, with potential cost relief in September as new-season milk comes online.

Canola Oil: Prices are rising due to poor crops in Europe and Ukraine, though demand remains soft, making the market unstable.
Soybean, Palm & Rapeseed Oils: Prices are falling, driven by low demand, rising stocks, and global competition.
Olive Oil: Prices are on the rise again, especially in Spain, due to:
Strong demand and mixed crop quality
Spanish production is up, but quality varies
Italian production is down 50% due to drought - limited high-quality and organic supply is driving prices up
Vegetable Oils: Still ~20% higher than last year, despite some recent easing

Brazil Nuts: Yields are expected to be up to 60% lower than 2024 due to limited wild harvests - creating a severe shortage.
Apricots & Hazelnuts: Frost events in April wiped out crops, resulting in major pricing impacts.
Chickpeas: Supply is limited due to Ascochyta blight affecting food-grade crops.
Milk Powder: Prices are increasing, driven by GDT auction activity.
Yeast: Up +14.3%, with growing demand from the health and fertiliser sectors.