Market update

Tomato Market: 2021/22 influences

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The tomato market roller coaster continues to cast terror into the hearts of all those who dare ride it.

The hangover of shortages from the 2020 harvest will impact availability for the new season, coupled with the additional market disruption caused by the widespread boycott of tomato products from the Xinjiang region of China.

2020 Tomato Market Influences

New season volume is expected to be slightly higher than in 2020 however, for the last five years, consumption has outstripped supply resulting in a net deficit of 4mt at the end of 2020.

This is expected to have increased to a deficit of 5.5mt by the time the new season crop is available. As a result, producers need to utilise new season products to satisfy 2020 contracts reducing new season availability and increasing prices.

World Production vs Consumption

Million Tons2015201620172018201920202021 Prelim
Opening stock2.0655.0054.4513.429-755-2.58-3.987
Production41.37438.07237.79734.8337.38338.3938.916
Consumption38.43438.62638.81939.01339.20839.79740.393
Closing stock5.0054.4513.429-755-2.58-3.987-5.464

 

The human rights abuse taking place in the Xinjiang area of China has led many UK businesses to stop importing product from this region.

Xinjiang region is the largest tomato production area in China (which accounts for approximately 12% of global tomato supply) and historically has been a big supplier of tomato paste to Europe.

This combined with the overall deficit position will put particular pressure on tomato paste availability as everyone scrambles to secure European supply.  On average you need around 6 mt of fresh tomatoes to create 1mt of 28/30 paste.

Raw Materials Price Pressures

This season has seen a range of price increases on raw materials and logistics. Fresh tomato prices with farmers are up €7-9/mt.

Energy prices have continued to increase, the cost of hot rolled steel for drum making is up over 50% compared to August 2020, new rules on CO2 emissions in 2021 will see a reduction in free rights and logistics costs have been on a continuous upward trend for the last six months.

These market influences have already seen price increases of between 18-21% in Northern and Southern American markets. The expectation is for price increases in Europe between 10-15%,

What do we Recommend? 

Many large-volume users of tomatoes were quick to contract for the new season due to concerns about availability and price. We are urging all customers to move quickly and secure supply, particularly for paste products which will be particularly hard hit this year.

In addition, we would encourage customers to look at alternative products which may help offset some of the price inflation this year. For example, switching to an Extrusso product in place of traditional chopped tomato will save around £25/mt.

Similarly, where production allows using drums over bag in box format will deliver around a £45/mt cost saving.

Get in touch

The Brusco team is always available to answer any of your questions about new-season tomatoes so please get in touch on info@brusco.co.uk or 01386 761 555 should you wish to discuss.

Chinese garlic market heats up ahead of new year

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Recent reports have suggested that the Chinese garlic market is firming due to adverse weather conditions and transportation influences.

After a stable November and December, a sudden increase has been reported in the first two weeks of the year, with flake prices increasing by 14% since the 3rd of January 2021.

Weather conditions affecting the garlic market

Current reports suggest the fresh garlic crop for 2021 will be significantly reduced after colder-than-normal weather conditions in the growing areas.

COVID 19 creating problems in the transportation

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the transportation industry, intensifying sea freight rates and resulting in fewer blank sailings being announced over the New Year period.

Many exporters have had to include freight increases in their quotes, to protect themselves from losing money in a time of uncertainty.

Garlic prices predicted to keep rising

Chinese New Year drives higher domestic garlic consumption and mixed with the problems that the market is facing, the prices are looking to keep rising until the end of March 2021. It is suggested to cover short-term requirements to minimise price increases.

Talk to the team today at info@brusco.co.uk or 01386 761 555 about the information on the garlic market and how you can keep your next order within budget.

 

Are Coconuts Vegan Friendly?

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As a fruit/drupe, coconuts are naturally vegan-friendly. They are the perfect alternative for those who are either lactose intolerant or living a vegan lifestyle.

However, harvesting techniques used by some suppliers involve cruelty to monkeys which has been widely criticised by PETA and many of our local supermarkets.

Monkeys used for Coconut Harvesting

These harvesting techniques involve capturing or breeding monkeys purely to harvest the fruit.

The monkeys are tethered to their handler or a rubber tyre and they are trained (usually via punishment) to climb and pick up to 1000 coconuts a day. Humans can only pick around 80.

When not being used, the monkeys are then kept in small cages or kept tied to their handler. If they showed signs of aggression, because of stress, their canine teeth are taken.

Taking a Stand Against Animal Cruelty

Many supermarkets including Waitrose, Morrisons, Ocado and Co-op along with beauty chain Boots have decided to stop using any coconut producers that use this technique. However, there are still some out there who do not check their sources.

This is the same with many coconut suppliers to manufacturers and food services. The coconut used in ready meals, within restaurants and in drinks may still use coconuts harvested cruelly.

Contamination of Coconut Powder

Some coconut powder suppliers use the technique of adding sodium caseinate to their products as an emulsifier.

Sodium caseinate is a dairy protein found in milk products.

Using this technique creates an issue for many customers, especially when they are promoting their goods as vegan certified.

Quality Suppliers, Quality Coconut Ingredients.

Brusco Food Group only uses the best factories. Each one goes through a rigorous investigation process, so we know every step of the journey of our ingredients, from harvest to delivery.

Our factory’s plantation accounts for a high percentage of the agricultural output. Their farms follow strict standards to ensure that all coconut produce is of the highest quality.

All our coconut ingredients are guaranteed to not use by monkeys during the harvest. They also guarantee an ethical, sustainable coconut milk powder with absolutely no dairy and are Kosher and Halal certified.

Talk to the team about Vegan-Friendly Coconuts

If you are unsure of where your ingredients are coming from, and need peace of mind, talk to our team today at 01386 761 555 or email info@brusco.co.uk. Find a list of our vegan-friendly coconut ingredients here.

We understand our product, we know our suppliers and we can offer an open, confident and honest overview of every product we have.

 

Unpredictable Market for Garlic Ingredients

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June 2020 saw a good harvest and yield for Chinese garlic, offering an output of 8 – 8.5 million MT. Levels similar to those last seen in 2018.

Because of the excess volume of garlic, prices at the start of the season were low which triggered earlier international buying activity.

The high quality of the crop resulted in a limited supply of smaller bulbs, which dehydrators typically would use. Dehydrators have had to resort to using the readily available larger bulbs to fulfil demand, pushing up the flake prices.

In mid-June, the market started to firm and prices climbed rapidly in reaction to the early surge in purchasing. Compared with the lowest level on the 1st of June, pricing for garlic is currently 30% higher.

How can Brusco help with your garlic ingredients needs?

Here at Brusco Food Group, we have a fantastic selection of powdered garlic, dehydrated minced garlic and garlic puree, ready for your production preference.

Typically found in seasoning, gravy and dry rubs, this beautifully aromatic powder add incredible flavour to meats or vegetables. Produced by dehydrating and grounding the garlic to a fine powder ready for use.

Dehydrated Minced Garlic

Long lasting, great tasting and easily added to all savoury dishes, our dehydrated minced garlic is highly popular when it comes to ready meals. Perfect within soups, stews and pasta.

Garlic Puree

Beautiful rich in flavour and smooth in texture, our garlic puree is used within spreads, sauces and casserole-style dishes.

Not only does the puree add flavour, but it also takes away the hassle of skinning and crushing of cloves. It also saves hands from that ever-lasting garlic smell. Our garlic puree’s come in either ambient cooked or raw.

We offer stable prices during a turbulent Garlic Ingredients Market

Here at Brusco Food Group, we are currently holding garlic stock which we are offering at competitive prices.

Talk to our team today at 01386 761 555 or email info@brusco.co.uk to discuss your garlic ingredients requirements.

Market update: Tomatoes supply prices on the rise

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Tomatoes are the humble fruit that has been keeping European dishes rich, juicy and utterly delicious since the 16th century.

Due to recent weather conditions and the dreaded COVID-19, prices have started to rise and availability starting to fall, causing a knock-on effect on customers and manufacturers.

What has caused the tomato supply prices to rise?

There are several factors contributing to the fall in availability including:

Rainy season delaying transplanting of seedlings.

At the start of the tomato season, we had an unprecedented amount of rain delaying the transplanting of seedlings from poly-tunnels to fields.

The result of this is a shorter growing season and a delayed new season harvest.

Typically harvesting would begin towards the end of July, but this year’s harvest won’t start until the start of August.

The risk of rain towards the end of August and early September could prevent farmers from being able to harvest further reducing the available raw material.

Lower tomato yield from the previous season.

Last season produced a lower yield, resulting in lower stock being carried over into this season.

Typically producers will aim to cover the balance towards the end of current season contracts with new season products.

As the delayed harvest will not see new season material shipping until September, the market is getting very short and producers are only willing to contract 75% of the expected volume due to market uncertainty.

Yet another COVID-19 challenge

Demand for processed tomato products during COVID-19 has seen a huge uplift, particularly in Italy where they have run out of domestic raw materials.

As a result of this, they have been purchasing material from alternative European regions to help cover requirements, taking further stock out of the market.

The shorter production window has had a huge impact on the availability of low-risk products such as chopped tomatoes and passata.

There will be significantly fewer of these vital ingredients in the market, and the price of both has seen a big price increase.

To stop this from becoming an issue for our customers, new and current, we are in discussions with several producers trying to get the best prices possible.

We are more than happy to share these prices with you, so please get in touch with the team today at info@brusco.co.uk or give them a call at 01386 761555. We will look forward to hearing from you.