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, shut downs and calf processing well underway. Limited Beef production from the operational plants available.
Most of NZ supply now largely relying on ‘older’ chilled NZ beef (drying up fast), Australian beef and frozen NZ product.
Global demand is still huge and when season start’s up again - it’ll be interesting to see where pricing goes. Product usually starts becoming available again in October.
Impact of US tariffs (15%) on NZ beef into the US an unknown.
Lamb
Lamb pricing to continue its way up as offshore demand is remains.
Lamb schedule tipped to keep climbing and hit $11/kg (Schedule the farmgate price paid to farmers for his livestock by Meat Processors).
Poultry – Supply and pricing remain steady.
Imported meats - Supply and pricing is forecasted to remain steady over the coming months.
Eggs - Supply is still limited, with pricing potentially moving up as a result of this.
Whitebait
Season runs from 1st September – 30th October.
Whitebait are a treasured national delicacy. These delicate morsels are traditionally served as fritters with lemon, lightly seasoned and cooked to highlight their fresh, sweet taste.
Good Supply:
Strawberries – Local fruit starting soon; Australian supply still available (may tighten at end of month)
Rhubarb – Strong supply
Navel Oranges – Good supply
Grapes – Good supply of red, green, and black
Witloof – Both red and yellow; consistent quality
Green Beans – Supply improved; prices eased
What’s Starting:
Asparagus – Green, white, and purple starting; prices high initially
NZ Garlic – Fresh local crop arriving
NZ Berry Fruit – Slowly starting; prices high
Soft Herbs – Tarragon, dill, marjoram, and more returning
Tight / Finishing:
Jerusalem Artichokes – Season ending
Brussels Sprouts – Finishing as asparagus comes in
Kiwifruit – Beginning to tighten
Spinach & Mesclun – Problematic due to rain and frost
Cabbages – Prices very high
Brassicas – All will struggle through spring, as they do each year
Seasonal Notes:
Courgettes – Australian imports finishing; NZ starting (higher prices initially)
Heirloom Tomatoes – Due late September / early October
Melons – Supply fluctuating out of Australia
Weather Impact – Citrus and leafy greens can’t be picked in rain; expect intermittent shortages. Wellington/Nelson regions facing spring growth issues (spring onions, cauliflowers, celery).
Chilled Cheese (Kimber Foods Update)
Market activity – Very low over the past 9–12 months; producers not reducing prices despite weak demand.
Demand uncertainty – Key markets (Middle East, Africa, Asia) quiet; unclear if demand will rise post-summer holidays.
Farmgate milk prices – Stable at high levels; production not increasing due to emission uncertainties; heatwaves reducing yields.
Cheese prices – Stable in recent months; Q4 outlook suggests possible 1–1.5% increase (demand trends will be decisive).
Price outlook – Unlikely to collapse; stable to upward trend expected due to high production costs and tight milk supply.
Recommendation – Buyers should secure requirements for coming months as prices may rise if demand picks up.
Information provided applies to imported products. Details may vary for New Zealand local producers, so it’s best to check or clarify accordingly.
Global Update:
Canola Oil – Strong supply (Canada +2.5 Mt; good crops in Canada/Australia). China imposed 75% tariff on Canadian seed. Bearish outlook → prices likely to stay low or fall.
Sunflower Oil – Prices strong (low EU stocks; reduced Black Sea output). Buyers delaying purchases until new crop.
Soybean Oil – Prices steady (soy oil slightly up). U.S. crops in good condition; exports up 11.6% YOY.
Information provided applies to imported products. Details may vary for New Zealand local producers, so it’s best to check or clarify accordingly.
Global Update:
Frozen Berries (New Season 2025/26):
Strawberry – Harvest down ~⅔ (frost damage); prices up 10–15% (above supplier cost tolerance)
Raspberry – Harvest ongoing; prices rising but stable for long-term partners
Blueberry – Harvest ongoing; supply and price stable with slight decrease
Frozen Vegetables (New Season 2025/26):
Pumpkin & Sweet Potato – Stable; stocked to last year’s levels
Broccoli & Cauliflower – Early-season prices high; expected to stabilize, similar to last year
Sweet Peppers – Prices spiked; market shortage, but supplier holding prices
Green Asparagus – Similar to last year; still high
Carrots – Prices slightly up; limited impact (only in 4-way mix for NZ)
Information provided applies to imported products. Details may vary for New Zealand local producers, so it’s best to check or clarify accordingly.
Global Update:
Rice
Global Overview (2025/26) – Record-high global production. Global trade forecast up (driven by Burma and the U.S.). Consumption slightly increased (notably in Nigeria). Global stocks lower (reductions for Nigeria, the Philippines, Burma).
Price Updates:
India: $374/ton (+$4) – Strong interest from Bangladesh
Vietnam: $394/ton (+$16) – Large sales to the Philippines and Africa
Thailand: $369/ton (-$15) – To boost importer demand
Pakistan: $362/ton (-$29) – Weak interest from major African markets
Market Trends:
U.S. tariff on Indian rice opening opportunities for Pakistan.
Pakistan exported 772,725 tonnes of basmati rice in FY24 ($876.9m) – up from 595,120 tonnes ($650.4m) the previous year.
Rice prices at an eight-year low after record harvests.
Global Update:
Pasta
Global pasta market revenue: US$152.39bn in 2025, with 6.38% CAGR (2025–2030).
Volume forecast: 66.59bn kg by 2030 (+4% in 2026).
Growth driven by bumper maize and wheat harvests; 2025/26 grains production expected to hit record highs (+60m t YoY).
End-season inventories projected stable (582m t globally). World grains trade projected to rise by 2%, mainly due to Asia demand.
Information provided applies to imported products. Details may vary for New Zealand local producers, so it’s best to check or clarify accordingly.
Pineapples – Significant shortage forecast for 2025/26 for canned pineapples - due to typhoons, pests, and disease. Expected to last approximately 12 months (possibly longer, depending on growing conditions).
