Market Update From the West Coast Meatheads
Beef
It feels like the beef market has bottomed out for the time being. Middle of the week packers started to put plus money on all middles, with Ribs leading the charge. Packers are in the red and are cutting back on the weekly harvest. Top Sirloin prices remain on FIRE and supply scarce. Prices are currently higher than the 2014 highs. Chuck Flap is currently a great value and prices are near their 2014 lows.
Chicken
WOG’s are slightly up into next week. Breast is down a few cents and thighs are steady. We are anticipating breast being at a bottom until it starts to make its move up for the summer.
Veal
Production is way down due to cost and weather as well as demand is much more on the East Coast where the packers are at anyway, so they save the shipping and send West what’s left. All cuts are stable to up anywhere from $.10 to a dollar. Shorts abound on high demand items like top rounds, racks, porters and bones.
Pork
Good supply and costing continues to drop on all cuts. Bellies, bacon, loins and butts are all coming slightly down again.
Lamb
Supply is pretty good. Racks are up $.05 – $.15. Loins are steady-up $.10. Legs and shoulders up slightly and will continue through Easter.
Shrimp
Imported pricing and supply are good. Mexican wild smaller sizes seem to be available and ok on price. U15 still have limited availability by a couple of sources. U12 and U10 are not available and are very pricey.