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
As the off-season ends expect the NZ Beef kill is now coming on. Should see NZ Beef becoming available towards the back end of October. Note availability usually limited at this time as NZ meat companies fulfil off shore contracts. It appears volumes of NZ/SFF product good from later November.
Expect Australian beef to continue. Quite possibly will remain on the general NZ scene to support local supply.
Seasonal meat plant maintenance now completed.
Strong global demand to remain keeping Beef prices firm. Don’t foresee any real change here. Appears to be the new norm.
US tariffs (15%) on NZ beef does not appear to be suppressing prices. Simply being passed on the American consumer.
Despite beef pricing consumer demand still high. And now starting to be seen as a healthy whole food option. How things change!
Lamb
Lamb pricing still facing upward pressure. NZD still trending weaker.
Lamb schedule passes $11/kg for premium lambs (Schedule the farmgate price paid to farmers for his livestock by Meat Processors).
Lamb is now a very real luxury protein option.
NZ Pork
Pricing has been remarkably stable for us in Foodservice for the past 14 months.
Expect no change in the near future for our main lines.
Poultry:
Poultry pricing and supply remains steady
What’s new
Berries: The berry season is in full swing. Strawberries are good buying, with strong supply also for blueberries and raspberries.
Asparagus: In its prime - excellent quality and supply. Check if your branch is stocking white and purple asparagus this season.
Heirloom Tomatoes: Good volumes and great quality coming through.
Cherries: Early cherries are now available, with peak volumes expected from mid-November.
Whats coming up
Stone Fruit: The first stone fruit will begin arriving toward the end of the month.
Sweetcorn: Expected to start showing up towards the end of November.
Blackberries will be starting soon.
Tight Supply
Apples: Very short supply.
Tamarillo: Supply starting to tighten.
Parsnips & Leeks: Starting to wind down.
Pumpkin (Crown): Short supply.
Melons: Supply continues from Australia.
Baby Carrots: All colours short with no clear ETA for full supply.
Whats out
Buttercup & Butternut Pumpkin: Finished for the season.
Yams: Season has ended.
Brussels Sprouts: Season finished.
The dairy market continues to experience historically high milk prices, with Fonterra confirming a final price of $10.15 per kgMS for last season and forecasting a $9–$11 per kgMS range for the current season, with a midpoint of $10.
Vegetable Oils: Prices remain high and volatile, especially for premium-quality olive oil, though canola supply expected to improve with upcoming harvests.
Nuts, Herbs & Spices: Prices remain firm due to supply constraints, weather disruptions, and strong global demand. Limited availability expected to persist.
Vegetable Oils: Prices remain high and volatile, especially for premium-quality olive oil, though canola supply expected to improve with upcoming harvests.
Dried Fruit: Prices are rising sharply due to crop failures and constrained supply. Apricot supply is fully exhausted until 2026, while sultanas and raisins remain in short supply, with additional pressure from market interventions.
Frozen Berries: European raspberries face sharp price rises; Chinese blueberries see record production and export growth, while strawberries largely retained for domestic consumption.
