China on the table
Italian tomato concentrate prices are rising because European manufacturers have been forced to find replacements for contracts from China, where the crop has been lower than expected.
Experts said that Chinese processors had been overoptimistic in their earlier forecasts.
Italian concentrate packers have taken the opportunity to raise prices by 10% over the past few weeks.
Canned tomato prices remain unchanged by the Chinese shortfall, with buying confined to existing contracts.
Next month, growers and canners will meet in Naples to decide on a planting programme. In spite of China’s difficulties, the threat it poses, together with the unpredictability of its crop level, will remain high on the agenda.
Get your orders in!
Canned pineapple suppliers have told their customers that now is a good time to place orders as prices are at their lowest for a year.
EU import duties on pineapple from Thailand, a predominant supplier, were cut by 3.5% this month. Availability is steady, and set to remain so until April. After that the picture is not so clear. Between May and July, availability is traditionally lower. A shortage of refined sugar is expected later this year, which could force packers to cut volumes because of a syrup shortage. Tin plate, energy and labour costs are also rising steadily.
Healthy trend
Sales driven by pre-Christmas red salmon promotions fell short of forecasts in the UK.
However, sources in Seattle said year-on-year sales remained buoyant because volume sales here in the UK are less dependent on heavy promotional activity than elsewhere in Europe.
The trend to healthier eating has also boosted sales, said one importer.
A record pack of pink salmon last season in Alaska has weakened prices, but canners are prepared to take a carryover into next season rather than sell below cost.
Italian tomato concentrate prices are rising because European manufacturers have been forced to find replacements for contracts from China, where the crop has been lower than expected.
Experts said that Chinese processors had been overoptimistic in their earlier forecasts.
Italian concentrate packers have taken the opportunity to raise prices by 10% over the past few weeks.
Canned tomato prices remain unchanged by the Chinese shortfall, with buying confined to existing contracts.
Next month, growers and canners will meet in Naples to decide on a planting programme. In spite of China’s difficulties, the threat it poses, together with the unpredictability of its crop level, will remain high on the agenda.
Get your orders in!
Canned pineapple suppliers have told their customers that now is a good time to place orders as prices are at their lowest for a year.
EU import duties on pineapple from Thailand, a predominant supplier, were cut by 3.5% this month. Availability is steady, and set to remain so until April. After that the picture is not so clear. Between May and July, availability is traditionally lower. A shortage of refined sugar is expected later this year, which could force packers to cut volumes because of a syrup shortage. Tin plate, energy and labour costs are also rising steadily.
Healthy trend
Sales driven by pre-Christmas red salmon promotions fell short of forecasts in the UK.
However, sources in Seattle said year-on-year sales remained buoyant because volume sales here in the UK are less dependent on heavy promotional activity than elsewhere in Europe.
The trend to healthier eating has also boosted sales, said one importer.
A record pack of pink salmon last season in Alaska has weakened prices, but canners are prepared to take a carryover into next season rather than sell below cost.
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