Currently, it takes at least twice as long as usual to complete a container load of anchovies - more than a week instead of three days. The main reason for this is the small to very small size of the fish, which even industry experts cannot explain. As a result, more workers are needed in the factories to process the same amount of catch. At the same time, the generation of employees is proving difficult. That's why everyone involved has been hoping for greater freshness since January. However, insiders are skeptical that this wish will be fulfilled in April.

The February 2023 crop was worse than expected, causing raw prices to rise to 8.00-8.30 Thai Baht/kg. However, despite international trade shows such as Prodexpo and Gulfood, sales in the country of origin are well below packers' expectations. Demand for canned pineapple, especially in the US and Middle East, are very low. The EU and Russia are also not drawing their usual volumes, so packers are scaling down production capacity. In addition, Thailand is expected to see further increases in raw material prices due to declining raw material volumes in the coming months. So it remains exciting how prices will develop due to these facts in terms of supply and demand.

By the way, have you seen our a href="https://paulmmueller.com/news/pmm-college-teil-9-ananas-know-how/" target="_self">exclusive commodity guide on pineapple? It is part of the PMM College series and contains exciting know-how.

Negotiations for the raw material price of tuna are currently in full swing. Exact figures are only valid for the moment. Even experts we have spoken to do not dare to make forecasts for the next few months. But one thing is certain: the trend will continue to be (moderately) upward over the next two to three months - regardless of whether it's the Pacific, Atlantic or Mediterranean.

Record skipjack prices above USD 2,000 per ton are expected soon for the Bangkok free trade area. A look at the graph with the price development shows it clearly: We are dealing with a new high of the last years. Analogously, the prices for yellowfin tuna, which we use for example for our ADRIA Premium brand solid pack, are rising

In addition to the FAD bans on tuna fishing in the Atlantic from January to March and in the Western Pacific from July to September, other factors are also causing a reduced supply and price increases. These are, on the one hand, the dwindling fish stocks and, on the other hand, phased work strikes on the fishing boats, which bring them to a standstill. At the same time, the reduced supply of raw material is being met with increased demand for processed tuna products.

There is currently no perfect time to buy tuna. Our tuna expert Eve-Florence Gölz will always help you with questions or order requests.

From the last market report described "Tomato Poker the first raw material prices for the 2023 harvest are now known. Compared to the previous year, price increases of 28 percent (in the USA) to 50 percent (in Spain) are expected for raw materials, depending on the country of cultivation. Insiders told us that price negotiations are still ongoing in Italy, but raw material prices are likely to converge with those in Spain and Portugal. In southern Italy, they estimate that prices are likely to be as much as 10 to 20 euros per ton higher than in the north of the country. In addition, there are the freight costs from Puglia to Naples/Salerno. Due to the long distance, these are more than twice as high as in northern Italy.

After drought and water shortages have made 2022 a difficult and turbulent year for tomatoes, other more heat-resistant crops are increasingly playing a role for farmers (especially in southern Europe, but also worldwide). One of our interlocutors from Italy is already reporting a lack of water in the country as well as in Italy's largest river - the Po - at the beginning of the year. Even though the tomato harvest is still several months away, the mood among growers is tense due to the lack of water and the current price negotiations.

But what does this mean for our market in Germany? Due to the high prices for the raw material as well as the persistently high energy prices, manufacturers will continue to try to produce low-concentration products such as pulp and pizza sauce. After all, 1 kg of tomato paste requires 6 kg of fresh tomatoes as well as a lot of energy during processing. It is therefore hardly surprising that, according to our two interlocutors, tomato paste in all container sizes is already almost sold out in Italy. Things look better with pizza tomatoes as well as strained tomatoes in bottles for the retail trade. Paul M. Müller's warehouses are still well stocked for you. More background information on the current tomato situation was provided in the Tuesday Talk on February 28.

As far as packaging is concerned, there is no detailed information available at the present time. However, experts assume that the prices for can sheet will remain constant - barring unforeseen events. Prices for glass have also eased considerably at present. However, there may also be changes here until the hot harvesting phase from July to September.

By the way: You will find a lot of tomato know-how (also about different tomato products) in our new tomato college.

Sweet, subtly caramel-like, thick and golden to amber in color - maple syrup is all of these things. In breakfast and hotel catering, it is a popular accompaniment to pancakes or a vegan alternative to honey in the kitchen as well as at the buffet. 80 percent of the world's maple syrup comes from Canada - no wonder that a maple leaf is the country's national symbol and even adorns the Canadian flag.

By the way, the harvest season of the natural product is quite current. Within four weeks between March and April, the initially rather colorless maple water is harvested and processed into syrup within 24 hours. How this works and with which other maple products you can sweeten the dishes for your guests, you can read in our new glossary article about maple syrup. Just this much in advance: Maple syrup can also be crunchy or creamy.

Or you can ask our Paul M. Müller expert for maple products: Eduard Kekel.

Here you will find a recipe inspiration from us: Fruit salad with coconut-maple crunch.