Fruit & Veg: Winter 2025
James Scarano from Fruitilicious says that venues are always concerned about avocados, but luckily, this winter, there are plenty of avocados around the prices are reasonable.
"Shepherd and Hass are both plentiful at the moment, and they're at the $30 to $40 mark (per box).
"Hass is more common because they're less stringy and that's what venues prefer."
James says that things are relatively stable in the fruit and veg category at the moment, weather patterns continue to have an impact and create unpredictability.
Fruit and Veg Summary
- Relatively stable
- Spinach, cauliflower, broccoli are plentiful
- Venues can rest assured that avocados are plentiful
>> Browse fruit & veg suppliers
Poultry and Eggs: Winter 2025
Peter Glinellis from YCC Poultry says that another outbreak of bird flu in Melbourne and some instances of bird flu in NSW mean egg prices have jumped 15 percent in recent times.
“I’ve spoken with some people in the industry and normality and consistency of eggs will be 12 months away and prices are hard to predict,” he says.
James Scarano from Fruitilicious concurs. "It's getting harder and harder with eggs. Take them off the menu!" is his advice to venues.
James says that while everyone is still getting eggs, it's sometimes difficult to fulfill a whole order.
"We used to sell a box of free range at $60 a box, and now they're $125 a box. So now many venues are even opting for cage eggs, just so they can get what they need."
“Chicken is different," says Peter. "It’s gone the other way. There’s a bit of stock going around - chicken prices are steady.”
As usual, when the seasons change, so do buying patterns and Peter has noticed that no one is buying wings anymore. “It’s not bbq season and there’s an abundance of wings on the market - fresh and frozen.”
“Thighs and Maryland start to tighten up as people want those pieces for winter dishes, but breast fillet goes down because it's a more popular cut in the summer/hotter months.
Poultry and Egg Summary
- Egg prices are unstable and will be for another 12 months. In some cases prices have doubled
- Due to the expense of free-range eggs, some venues are opting for cage eggs
- Chicken thighs and Maryland are in demand
- Chicken breast is less popular at this time of the year and may be cheaper
>> Browse poultry suppliers
Seafood: Winter 2025
Adrian Jankuloski from Foodlink Australia says that the most important seafood update is the shortages of Hiramasa Kingfish. This farmed fish is popular in venues and restaurants around the country and is on allocation for the next 6 or so months.
“What this means is that the price of wild kingfish goes up, which makes things tight.”
For those looking for an alternative, Rocky Point Cobia, a farmed fish from Queensland, is a great alternative to kingfish. “It’s a farmed black kingfish and it’s an absolutely phenomenal product.”
Aside from kingfish, salmon and barramundi remain steady, and there is an abundance of pink snapper. “We've had some fantastic mahi mahi coming out of Coffs Harbour, and we've had wild jewfish and mulloway coming out of the Northern Territory...these are amazing to eat pan fried or oven baked.”
The supply of tuna is strong, and in early May/June, Southern Bluefin starts coming in and is attractive to a lot of high end venues. However, coral trout will be tight, but things will start flowing again once the weather cools down even more.
The octopus season is has also started. “We are always working with local fishermen to get the biggest size octopus,” says Adrian.
Seafood Summary
- Shortages of farmed Hiramasa kingfish, driving up the price of wild kingfish
- Rocky Point Cobia is a good alternative to Hiramasa kingfish
- Salmon and barramundi remain steady
- Abundance of pink snapper
- Supply of tuna is strong
- Octopus season is starting
>> Browse seafood suppliers
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