Foodservice Market Update NZ: Market Bites June 2026

As we move further into winter, June’s market conditions continue to reflect tightening seasonal supply across key protein and produce categories, alongside ongoing global cost pressures and shifting consumer demand trends. Off-season dynamics are beginning to impact processing volumes and pricing across beef and lamb, while weather dependency continues to influence several fresh produce lines.

Here’s what’s shaping the market this month across Protein, Produce, Seafood and Imports in our NZ food market update June 2026.

Beef

• Silverfern Farms and Pure South programmed chilled supply expected into June/July at good levels. We are now working to keep stock levels to cover beyond this.

• Expect processing numbers to decline later June marking July as the start of the off season.

• We have seen some temporary steak cut price relief. And likely to increase again in line with declining off-season supply

• Branches have put frozen steak cuts away to alleviate possible supply issue through the off-season.

• Trims and round/secondary cut demand and prices remain extremely high – flows into mince, diced corned beef type production.

• Alternative Prime Beef (PR/PB) cuts have found a solid following as a value alternative to Prime Steer (PS). However we still need to remember that Prime Beef (PB/PR) doesn’t eat as well as Prime Steer.

As winter progresses, off-season dynamics are expected to become more apparent across beef categories, particularly in processing volumes and pricing pressure on premium cuts.

Lamb

• Lamb numbers available for processing have been dropping as we move into the off season.

• Lamb prices have been relatively stable but expect to rise again as the off season progresses

• Check out our premium Freshmeats, Silverfern Farms, Lumina, and Pure South offer.

With supply tightening seasonally, lamb pricing is expected to continue firming over the coming months.

NZ Pork

• Freshpork pricing is expected to remain stable for next few months.

• Steady as always.

  
  

Import Pork

• Supply remains very good.

• Import pricing generally stable at present with the exception of Spanish Pork (Baucell’s) where we are seeing some reductions flowing in already.

• The Iran war hasn’t really impacted supply as product from Europe was largely going around Cape of Good Hope already though freight costs did increase due to fuel price increases.

Imported pork supply continues to provide some pricing stability within the broader protein market, despite ongoing freight cost pressure globally.

Winter produce continues to shift heavily toward citrus and imported lines, while weather sensitivity remains a key factor for several local categories.

What’s Good

• Jerusalem artichokes

• Persimmon

• Tamarillo

• Gold Tamarillo

• New season Avocado’s

Imported

• AUS Beans

• AUS Courgettes

• AUS melons

• AUS Strawberries

  
  

Local Citrus

• Lemon

• Lime

• Mandarin

• Grapefruit

• Navel oranges

What’s Tight

• All hothouse – Tomato/Cucumber/Capsicum/Eggplant/Chilies

• Salads – weather dependant

• Edible flowers – weather dependant

• Perla Potatoes will finish soon

What’s Out

• Feijoas

• Figs

• Valencia Oranges

• Passionfruit

• Nashi

• NZ Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries

The seasonal transition into winter continues to tighten supply across hothouse and berry categories, while citrus remains a standout performer with strong local availability.

Seafood supply conditions remain relatively balanced overall, although some key categories continue to experience pressure.

• Fresh salmon supply continues to be a bit tight at the moment, but there is light at the end of the tunnel with increased harvest capacity expected over the next 3 months.

• Fresh fillet supply is still in great shape, with reliable availability across key species including Snapper, Tarakihi, Trevally, and Gurnard.

• Half-shell oysters are really starting to hit their stride now, getting noticeably fatter and fuller as the colder water conditions improve quality and condition.

• It could also pay to keep an eye out for frozen Tarakihi opportunities over the coming months, a great back-up option as fresh supply traditionally starts to tighten towards the end of the quota season.

New Zealand’s increasing ethnic diversity is influencing food demand, particularly in oils, rice and frying shortening, this is reflected in an increasing demand for products that are halal-certified, vegetarian suitable or fully vegetable based.

As a result,

• Vegetable oils and shortenings are becoming more preferred over animal-fat based products due to broader cultural and religious acceptance.

• Rice consumption continues to grow, especially jasmine, basmati, and larger pack formats suited to multicultural households.

• Halal and animal-free formulations are becoming commercially important because they simplify sourcing, expand consumer reach, and reduce exclusion risks.

• Retailers and importers are adapting by expanding multicultural ranges, improving ingredient transparency, and increasing plant-based offerings.

At the same time, global edible oil markets are facing increasing pressure from higher oil prices, freight costs, Middle East tensions, and developing El Niño weather risks. Canola futures have risen to their highest level since September 2023, supported by stronger global oil markets and supply uncertainty. Canada and Australia collectively produce around 30% of global canola supply; however, Australia’s 2026/27 crop is forecast to decline by 19%, while delayed planting conditions in Canada are also being closely monitored.

While current supply remains stable, ongoing pricing pressure and market volatility are expected to continue over the coming months. Overall, suppliers are increasingly shifting toward culturally neutral, vegetable-based products that can appeal to a broader NZ consumer base while also managing global supply and cost pressures.