SEAFOOD NEWS
2012 Commercial Halibut – BC Quota of 5,953,350 LBS – currently 785,643 LBS landed, representing 13% of the 2012 commercial quota harvested. Alaska quota of 24,003,027 LBS – currently 1,200,323 landed, representing 5% of the 2012 commercial quota harvested.
Fresh, Wild Longline Caught Sablefish – with the start of the 2012 long line halibut season, availability of fresh wild sablefish improves going into April. While fresh sablefish is generally available at the outset of halibut fishing, we tend to avoid wild sablefish caught in March as it is still in its spawning period (resulting in much softer flesh).
Fresh BC Spot Prawns – season is just around the corner. Season begins first week of May and goes into the third week of June.
Fresh Wild Salmon – with a weak winter spring salmon run, not much to talk about in terms of fresh wild salmon during the early part of spring. Mid-May tends to signify the beginning of wild salmon season, with Copper River Sockeye showing up at that point
PROTEIN NEWS
PORK
Loins – We have a good supply of Bone in and boneless to offer still at very reasonable prices.
Back Ribs – Still have good supply of most weight ranges, and random sizes available, though demand has certainly increased the past couple of weeks.
BEEF
There is a less Canadian product in the market this year to draw from, as a result the beef prices are high and we are just coming into spring and bbq season.
FOODSERVICE TRENDS
in 2011 tea sales increased by 5%
appies trend is for fresh, colorful, intense flavored small plates
cocktails more adventurous flavorful then in the past
food customers are more tech savy
