Blogging the Blue Planet (Foods)

A Slight Disconnect

2012-02-07T17:58:00.000-06:00

What we Fear in the Food Trade as producers and distributors is more basic than what the public fears. Here's an interesting report showing that we in the trade are first a foremost thinking of Food Safety. The public thinks we are poisoning them and are most worried about additives.

Market News Updates

2012-02-04T10:08:00.001-06:00

Here's a link to a very accurate market report for Tuna to Mushrooms from the experts at Rema.

The only thing to question is the Euro€ / US$ equation with an apparent resistance level found at.1.30 in recent days. Also, importers are in a quandary as to what level to price vs. forecast. While importers can't go out too far we all have to cover real costs in rapidly descending markets.

Updates on FSMA

2012-02-04T09:46:00.002-06:00

The Food Safety Modification Act is one of the many things along quickly as we speed into 2012. Here's an update as to the FDA portion and its impact on imported foods:

During the first year of FSMA, FDA has completed a number initial implementation steps, including:
Consumer-Friendly Web Search for Recalls. FDA launched a more consumer- friendly recall search engine on the FDA website.
Guidance to Seafood Industry on Food Safety Hazards. FDA issued its updated guide to the seafood industry on hazards associated with fish and fishery products and appropriate controls for those hazards.
Administrative Detention of Foods. Allows FDA to administratively detain food products that it has reason to believe are adulterated or misbranded for up to 30 days, if needed. FDA has begun using this authority.
Prior Notice of Imported Food. FDA issued an interim final rule that requires a person submitting prior notice of imported food, including food for animals, to report the name of any country to which the article has been refused entry.
Joint Anti-Smuggling Strategy. FDA and the Department of Homeland Security issued a joint anti-smuggling strategy to help to identify and prevent smuggled foods from entering the U.S. and posing a threat to national security and consumer safety.
Fee Schedule. FDA announced the fiscal year 2012 fee schedule for certain domestic and foreign facility reinspections and for failure to comply with recall orders.
Authority to Suspend the Registration of Food Facilities. FDA has the authority to suspend the registration of food facilities to prevent the import and export into the U.S. in certain circumstances involving food that has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.
Product Tracing Pilots Launched. FDA announced that the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) will carry out two new pilot projects aimed at enhancing the agency’s and industry’s ability to trace products responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks.
Much more can be found at the FDA's web site. The site continues to improve. http://www.fda.gov/

Where to from here? 12/20

2011-12-20T10:08:00.000-06:00

From Europe’s Debt Crisis to the US Congress’ inability find compromise on the Payroll Tax Extension, the volatile Currency markets continue to make pricing a dilemma for those of us in import trades.

Nothing in the short term looks to favor less volatility though we expect the bad news out of Europe to over shadow the bad news out of the USA in this coming election year. Range is going to be pushing even lower for the Euro over the next quarter.

Our view on products:
Artichokes: Short if not Booked. Market prices stable while import prices down slightly.

Mandarins Satsuma: The very high opening prices are meeting resistance from importers. Let’s see where they settle but quantities better be committed and secured in the long run as the production season is shorter due to Chinese New Year coming early this year and the changing economic times continue a course resulting in shortages for the year.

Spanish Mandarins are not a full option again yet but headed that way. Clementines may show up in the US markets later this season.

Olives: One of the few markets that on the surface appears to have a good enough raw material supply. However, while the prices are low, credit in Spain is difficult to obtain resulting in unpicked fruits still hanging on the trees. This may be good for OILS but not so good for the curing or ripening process of Green Table Olives or Black Ripe Olives. A shortage may be looming.

Rumors persist of the lack of continued financing hurting coops when time comes to pay for the crops to members as well as to solvency issues with private industry producers.

Happy End of Year Holidays to all! Watch out in 2012!

Mandarin Oranges

2011-11-05T10:04:00.001-05:00

Mandarin Oranges have no carry over in China from last year and importers are running out. Production this new season will be shortened (Chinese New Year impact). All expenses are up for packers.

What this means is:
1) wide quality variations in finished goods.
2) inconsistencies under certain labels.
3) prices will continue to CLIMB HIGHER...

Please, if not already done, BOOK NOW with us or we risk not having product on hand this coming year for your needs.

Disasters in our Business come in Many Forms

2011-10-20T07:33:00.002-05:00

Report out of New Zealand bring the risks of our trade to the forefront.

We who import know the term GENERAL AVERAGES, that age old sharing of risk that costs plenty when applied. Here it is not clear if that will be the case.

The world remains a risky place.

2011-10-11T10:18:00.003-05:00

Forecasts and Reality Bloomberg article show much the same. Ok, ok...

US Dollar Direction??

2011-10-07T10:16:00.002-05:00

The Street David Song's DailyFX has a nice article saying among other things this morning

"we may see the rebound from 1.3145 gather pace as market sentiment improves. As a result, the EUR/USD may work its way back towards the 61.8% Fib around 1.3880-1.3900, but the single-currency is likely to face additional headwinds over the near-term as the fundamental outlook for the euro-area deteriorates."

here's a look back...

We'll see in the coming days what's forward...(Flipped is 2003 .99 cents to 2007's 1.468)

There appears to be a continued race between the US and the EU's economies to see which disaster will trump the next. And it looks like we lack the imagination and political will on both continents to work towards real solutions.

From the #OccupyWallStreet to the #TeaParty here in the USA to the demonstrations of the "Acampadas" in Spain and elsewhere the level of frustration grows.

The perception is good governance is not possible.

The feeling grows that disaster is just around the corner.

So what's new?

US $ Surging Bull Matching early Summer Forecasts

2011-09-22T09:13:00.000-05:00

Earlier this summer the forecast from DailyFX was Sept 2011 at 1.318. They revised further to 1.4011...

Today the US $ is the Bull in the market. You can hear today's report HERE the title showing all the tendancies of the day : US Dollar Explodes on Fresh Injection of Fear

The FED's actions yesterday have us entering a new level along with the continued uncertainty in the rest of the eco-zones. Listen as long as you need to get today's flavor.

We are going to continue to be long with EUROS to be able to pass on price savings as soon as they are realized. Stay tuned!

Expanding Health Safety?

2011-09-13T17:25:00.000-05:00

USDA announces expanded testing for SALMONELLA explained in this NYTimes article.

ILWU Protest Closes Ports of Seattle, Tacoma

2011-09-08T17:14:00.000-05:00

ILWU Protest Closes Ports of Seattle, Tacoma

ILWU Work Stoppage in the Changing World

2011-09-08T16:44:00.002-05:00

There's news on the wire and information coming in from various sources including JS Connor:

"An ILWU work stoppage has been put into effect in Tacoma and Seattle which has resulted in

all carrier terminal operations being shut down. The work stoppage is a result of a

dispute at Export Grain Terminal in Longview, Washington. This action is affecting

all carriers terminal operations. "

At this point in time, the impact on the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach is unknown."

Impact of the last prolong stoppage on the west was horrible with long delays in catching up after the issues were resolved.

FSMA moves Forward ... slowly

2011-07-05T07:26:00.000-05:00

The implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act moves forward.

At Blue Planet Foods, foreign plants are inspected carefully and personally.

The cornerstone of our corporate mission is that Blue Planet Foods, our sources and our customers are all partners and that we are responsible for knowledgeable and sound practices to insure quality of our mutual products.

Peru and the Changing World

2011-06-03T08:19:00.000-05:00

The elections this weekend in Peru are going to impact our business.

Peru’s Nobel literary laureate, Mario Vargas Llosa, described the Humala-Fujimori choice as between “terminal cancer and AIDS.”

Artichokes, Seafood, Piquillos, and much more... The extremes won in the early rounds as the center split the votes.

What a Difference A Day or 2 makes...

2011-05-17T14:17:00.000-05:00

I apologize the lack of posts. The markets continue to suffer shortages that have taken me away from the speeching/blogging and thrust me head first into logistics and importing basics.

And through that same 4 week period we've seen the US $ regain lost ground and the predictions of 1.50 Euro barriers appears to be waning. We were then at 1.45 and rising with the peak hit on 4 May with 1.485.

Today we head back to between 1.40 and 1.43 it appears. The EU races towards potential breakup (rumors of this were it seems what caused the change in direction). The USA's inability to manage it's debt/political crisises and the Fed Reserve's reluctance to raise interest rates despite the evidence in our lives of inflation contributes to the uncertainty dilemma facing all of us.

And then there was Mr. D Strauss-Kahn's inexplicable acts.

What a month it has been...

And oh, did I say that there continue to be tremendous shortages in almost all products in which we trade!

Fed Plays Down Inflation - WSJ.com

2011-04-11T20:35:00.000-05:00

Fed Plays Down Inflation - WSJ.com

US $ on the Way to 1.50 levels?

2011-04-11T20:34:00.001-05:00

It appears clear that there is nothing on the short term horizon that will change the direction of the FEDERAL RESERVE to raise interest in the US. The European Central Bank raising its main short term interests rates .25% to 1.25% points with the belief that this will head off inflation not withstanding, both the Fed's Vice Chair and President give signals that the current low rates in the US will remain unchanged.

This is a clear sign of one thing. The US $ will continue to weaken further clouding the already unclear raw material markets.

We are starting to think that 1.50 will be the threshold in front summer 2011.

Radiation Checks of Containers from Japan

2011-03-25T21:02:00.001-05:00

Containers are arriving today on the West Coast first since the Earthquake/Tsunami/Nuclear Disasters of two weeks ago. We have been informed that some growing areas have been impacted for our programs including Japanese Sesame, some Rice Products and potentially others. NY Times Article

We will require assurances and guarantees that product imported will pose no risks going forward with our Japanese programs.

We have on hand ample stocks to service our customers needs that had been imported before these events. However, expect delays going forward on shipments to and from Japan.

To Anchovy or Not to Anchovy

2011-03-23T15:51:00.000-05:00

Demand for lower grade species for the “Priced” USA market are extremely short in the raw material markets that cure the little fish.

Top that with shortages that are greater than expected in higher quality species found in Argentina and other areas, the Anchovy Prices are expected to climb along the coming months.

Bookings will be needed to stay in supply this year along (sounds like almost all of the markets in which we trade!)

Olive Oil Market Update

2011-03-14T07:49:00.001-05:00

I received today this update:

Final figures for Spanish 2010/11 production read 1.350.000 MT.

This quantity guarantees enough supply for 2011 consumption plus next season (2011/12) overlap.

Under this circumstance and considering overall production in other countries, prices for the rest of this year should be stable till summer, time of the year in which traditional speculative maneuvers take place so perhaps by then we may find some slight increase.

Major concern is that current prices are in the limit of profitability for raw material producers, so once again Spanish Govt is requesting from EU Govt to authorize subsidy for private storage of oil in order to hold up prices ; if such subsidy is agreed we may see raw material cost go up in a shorter term than expected.

Basically it can be confirmed that current prices will not go down but could go up, though the amount of oil available would make difficult any sever rise.

FAO Report on Food Prices Highest in 21 Years

2011-03-03T09:05:00.001-06:00

World food prices rose 2.2% in February from the previous month according to the latest report from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization Food Price Index for the 8th consecutive month.

The bad news continues with other price indexes reaching higher including Cereal Price up 3.7% and Dairy up up 4% from last month and Oils remaining just below their peak levels. Only Sugar was not up.

The agency started monitoring prices just 21 years ago. Expect the climb to continue on with new records expected in the months ahead.

Anchovies: Geographic identification label in Spain, Strikes in Morocco

2011-02-25T08:12:00.010-06:00

In Spain, the implementation of a geographic identification label for anchovies from the Bay of Biscay has been approved, though not without doubts from Basque fishermen.

Additionally, wildcat strikes in Morocco has reduced the country's anchovy production (in a country supplying almost half of all global production) as fisherman and workers protest for an increased percentage of profits from the sale of anchovies.

If you need anchovies, please provide a forecast as supply is short.

Artichokes Updated

2011-02-17T17:47:00.001-06:00

Reports from Murcia during the lull between the winter pack and the spring pack are clear. Packing begins slowly with raw material at record highs. The Fresh Market with very strong demand from Italian producers at the field level are driving raw material costs. The market is empty of supply both at the packers and on the shelves of importers.

Sources of raw material for packing will be limited. Peru is reportedly going to be producing less than last year which was already 70% less than the year before. That production will not take place before July.

Spanish packers which used to number in the 100’s are down to maybe a dozen with a very few who fully certified to comply with specifications, HACCP and other requirements of front line buyers. In the past I recall over 100 million kgs processed at canning level in a decent year. Last year there was only 45 million. This year early expectations are for even less.

There will be more demand than supply.

Please contact us with your quantity requirements in both marinated and brine packs not later then March 12th that we can be sure to cover your needs.

Demand for artichokes larger than Supply

2011-02-16T06:31:00.000-06:00

As reported in the FreshPlaza.com News...

"In the total market in Europe and America there a shortage of artichokes developing. It has been estimated that if it continues this way, there will be too few artichokes in the spring to be able to supply everyone."

Book with us your quantities NOW...

Spanish Olive Oil New Season (2010/2011) Report.

2011-01-28T15:34:00.000-06:00

From Our Madrid Office here are excerpts of a report passed:

Source for data on production, consumption etc.: AAO-Agency for Olive Oil a public agency of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture.

Source of price chart: POOLred-Fundacion El Olivar-Oliva.net

January 27 2011.

Current Stock:

After last season's production of 1,401,000 tons, the begining of 2010/11 harvest started with a production of 523,100 tons in the period October-December 2010.

The total market (domestic plus exports) grew in 2009/10 vs 2008/2009 by 100,000 to...export market leading the increase.

The season overlap at end of December was 297,000 tons, adding the production (523,100 tons) and imports (11,100 tons) and deducting the consumption (domestic plus exports) of 346,100 tons the stock figure by begining of January 2011 was of 346,100 tons.

New harvest and production projection:

Current projection estimate 2010/11 season final volume will be around 1,000,000 - 1,200,000 tons.

With a market consumption (domestic plus exports) estimated in 1,100,000 tons plus the season overlap the projected stock at end of 2010/11 season will be around 200,000 - 300,000 tons.

Prices:

The average prices have remained steady in the past weeks.

As an example, the price report of the Olive Oil Market prices in origin show the following figures of average price for the period December 27 - January 27:

Zona de Origen		España
Periodo		Último Mes*
Desde		27-12-2010
Hasta		27-01-2011

Quality	Quantity[t]	Avg Price [€/t]
Aceite de Oliva Virgen Extra	19.807,13	1.972,73
Aceite de Oliva Virgen	21.223,87	1.818,79
Aceite de Oliva Virgen Lampante (B.1º)	14.426,71	1.712,38
Otros Aceites de Calidad Inferior	1.761,68	1.553,46
TOTAL	57.219,39	1.837,08

Exworks. Prices for oil in bulk ex milling - warehouse net-net price

Fecha Consulta: 27-01-2011 · Hora (GMT+1) Jaén-España 14:16:13

Price tendency:

Largest exporters estimate prices for refined oil will be stable while the extra virgin might experience an appreciation between 3% and 15% in origin depending on the evolution of market (domestic plus exports) and the resistance of stock-holders (millers and refiners) that are trying to speculate with the product forcing bottlers to pay more for the "true" extra virgin that combines the quality-chemical properties required for extra virgin with the organoleptic profile fixed in the official panel tests.

Price estimations are no guarantee & should be revised frequently to monitor actual market performance.

-For quotes, pls provide desired volumes/qualities for deliveries or contact us for any specific request.

Resistance Levels EURO US Dollar

2011-01-23T18:46:00.000-06:00

There is a 1.30 and then there is 1.36... the difference is real money. Check this article that thinks 1.30 is the natural level of resistance for the EURO vis a vis the US $... The reasoning is the EURO Zone is closer to controlling deficits than the USA split government.

Today Spain and Italy Have Plenty of Debt Buyers

2011-01-13T09:24:00.000-06:00

Following Portugal yesterday Spain sold with Spain selling €3 billion and Italy selling €6 billion of debt. Spain's had an average yield of 4.542% slightly less than prevailing level...

This has been generated a rebound in the EURO continue from yesterday.

For Spain it's not only the Government but the Banks that need to be watched. Booked loan values lurk.

January 2011 Updates

2011-01-12T09:08:00.000-06:00

Days are getting longer but are Markets are anything but clear as we head into 2011.

From China, Mushrooms are being bid all over the place. India generally follows Chinese prices to maximize profits but soft sales can change this quickly. But product is tight in the USA and Russia continues to pay high and with cash for mushrooms.

Shortages are also taking place in Europe even with the year round production. Poland is short and demand to Spain’s packing Industry is strong. Prices are in the neighborhood of China’s.

Mandarin Packing Season should be completed in China by the end of next week. Spain’s season came to a close with frost last week. Spain has nothing more to offer in #10 sizes and is very short in other sizes. China has product but the bids are high and fast.

Winter Artichoke season ended abruptly and the raw material market is up to historic highs from Euros 0.40 per kg to 0.70 plus... The market is high due Italian Brokers and Briners paying cash and grabbing product, the high demand in the fresh markets plus the winter frost.

However the current conditions in growing areas look very good (mild weather) which could mean a good spring crop. While prices may not come down much, there should be excellent quality. (Booking Quantities should be in our hands by the end of February latest to cover needs if not already!)

The Olive Industry and their financial problems continue. Large producers are going bankrupt and further centralization should continue. Olives and Oil prices are stable to soft depending on the quality, calibration, etc.

The EURO financial debt crisis continues to evolve. Things improve slowly and unequally. Portugal has had a successful bond offering today at rates not as high as expected. $1.6 billion was bought today but they may still need help. Spain’s next challenge will be this March and it is 50/50 if they will not have to call for help to avoid defaulting.

Artichokes Impact of Frost

2011-01-04T17:02:00.000-06:00

Just In from Spain:

"The Frost effect need to be read as :

A) About 30 % of the plants affected and may be damaged.

B) Cost of raw material fruit up to euros 0.70 per kilo, a price level unknown for years.

C) Supply will slow down for the next weeks into the factories (or few that are left to pack)."

If your demand has changed it is because others are our of stocks. Please project your schedules for the next weeks that we can be sure to cover your needs.

Demand of our customers around the world are picking up dramatically.

December's Greetings for the Holidays

2010-12-14T10:41:00.001-06:00

To all our friends around the world, we'd like to wish you all Health and Peace in the Coming Year and strength to deal with all the rest!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes from us all at Blue Planet Foods, ltd.

Currency

2010-11-24T16:28:00.000-06:00

Left unsaid in the market report is the direction of the US Dollar vs specifically the Euro as well as other currencies. Market direction and its self-fulfilling prophecy is only good for the life of the current contract. The reality is the range of 1.20 to 1.45 over the last 24 months avg.

The Chinese Yuan is another thing entirely. Both the US and Euro are weak in front of the changing climate there.

Thanksgiving Market Report

2010-11-23T07:36:00.000-06:00

Mandarin Oranges:
When a country consumes more of an item than it grows it becomes a net importer of that item. China is approaching such a designation, with internal demand for mandarin oranges exceeding the harvest. Packers have to bid against this to procure enough raw material for production and to cover fixed costs. As a result, higher prices are certain, and shortages are likely through the year.

In reaction to the situation in China, Spain has a renewed vigor for mandarin production, despite higher fixed costs, as freight advantages and more regular deliveries to German and UK markets enables Spanish producers to return to the euro zone. Is the USA far behind?

Artichokes:
The pursuit of lower costs some time leads to disaster. In the case artichokes, the advantages of Peru’s special duty status do not trump an inability to ship, thus returning Spain to the competition, albeit with obstacles. Crop financing is a major hurdle, as Spain’s banks lend little; the cost of production, already high, appears to be heading higher; the number of packing facilities has been reduced dramatically. As a result, those who don’t contract supplies will find no product available.

As Spring arrives China may play a part in this market in a growing way, but at the moment Spain is the only producer in a market exhausted of stocks. A shortage of quartered artichokes is evident in the United States.

Book your needs now for the next six months, and estimate your needs to the end of next year to be sure to have supplies.

Peppers & Piquillos:
As previously reported, GSP countries (Turkey, Bulgaria, etc.) supplying red peppers have experienced a decrease in yields and quality. This has driven demand back to Spanish producers (with fewer left then before) and demand outstrips supply.

The availability of good quality roasted red peppers will be sporadic and short until at least next summer.

Olives Green and Black:
Both green and black olives appear readily available, with ample supply to meet demand. The final price remains to be determined, but appears (in regards to the euro) to be holding steady with slight increases dependent upon calibrations (sizes) of the olives.

Queen olives that have been at such highs appear to be ready to make a decline (in euros) as demand falls and carry over from last year influences the market.

In the Andalusian production region, major issues include private companies facing financial challenges, the community having an incredibly high unemployment rate and the cooperatives quickly burning through funds.

Olive Oils:
Olive oil prices have fallen so far that raw material is left on the trees, as it is not worth the returns to harvest at current prices. While this is harmful to the trees and will cause problems down the road, current prices are low.

Saffron:
Saffron appears heading a bit lower, but appears to have hit a new low as the largest producing country (Iran) will try to maintain, through intervention, the current level as the bottom.

Other Markets:
Shortages and higher prices are also impacting the following markets: anchovies, capers, sesame oil, pineapple and mushrooms.

Roasted Piquillo Peppers Market Outlook

2010-10-26T09:16:00.002-05:00

There are disasters looming in the line of supplies of Roasted Piquillo Peppers.

The primary producing country of this variety has become (surprise!) China over the last years with Peru as a secondary source. Spain continues still to produce some of the original Navarra Province quality. (We’ve had both Spanish and Peru available these last few years.)

This season China has not produced very much and Peru with one company dominating the production is going to be hard pressed to meet demand. Spain has limited amounts for which the price has skyrocketed more than 50%!

We are considering discontinuing the 6/3 kg Spanish product as we’d have to raise prices accordingly and this had already been at a serious premium to Peruvian product.

We’ll hold and handle for you only if you advise us of your needs and we make a booking. We are going to bring a 6/3 kg size of Peruvian product for those clients who are currently buying our VITER labeled product.

Market Reports and Outlooks October 2010

2010-10-09T09:52:00.000-05:00

Artichokes:
While Peru has started packing, there appears to be limited product available and at very high prices. Chile appears to not be packing at all.

Spain will not be producing until next month with opening prices set to go up 10% to 15%. Few packers remain who are solvent enough to finance what has been a cash/auction crop and the “winter” crop is never huge quantities.

All this means shortages and high prices until at least next spring when demand may have fallen a bit, and the larger quantities of available raw material starts to appear. Also China is expecting to produce in Spring about 400 to 500 containers which may hold prices.

Capers:
Seems market trend is of strong firmness after last crop with some vendors talking about 14% cost increase related to raw material. Such increase is due to overall shortage of small sizes from Lilliput to capucine.

Olives:
Season has been running since early this month of October with consistent flow of raw material, good quality of the fruit and tendency to find larger calibrations versus smaller sized.
At this time crop-price at growers level is identical to last year.
Only serious risk to see some changes are :
-rain
-financial issues at growers /Co-ops causing delays in packing
-expected (though not confirmed) tinplate cost increase starting 2011

Mandarins Oranges:
China will start producing next month. The packers are complaining of labor shortages, tin plate costs and other packing issues before we even see the potential shortage of the raw material. It seems that some areas were impacted by a freeze during the important flowering times and the result may be diminished quantities of raw material. The Packers Association are anticipation a $2 to $3 increase in #10 sized product and $1 increase in 11 oz retail sizes.

FOREX MARKETS:
The US Dollar fell since early September by more than 15% to levels of 1.40 from 1.20. The clear impact of this is upward stress on prices. Anybody who thought that the ride was going to be easy was mistaken. Forecasting exchange rates is a exercise in witchcraft I am starting to believe with countries trying to weaken their currencies to hide from the spending fiasco's needed to get economies steaming again. What a mess!

Artichokes... Yup. Very Short of Stocks Globally

2010-09-22T06:56:00.000-05:00

It is clear that our warnings were correct and the Artichoke Supply is very tight.

Chile is no longer producing and Peru has been extremely limited in exports.

Result? Higher Prices if you can find product. Look for continued price increases with only limited relief from Spain with the so-called Winter Crop.

The limited number of Spanish producers will be hard pressed to find the proper financing to get product packed when it becomes available.

Integrity in the Food Trade

2010-08-30T08:45:00.000-05:00

Here is a great article about Brett Ottolenghi in the New Yorker (abstract linked as subscription is required) about the struggles to be credible in our trade.

When there are knowledgeable customers, it is so much easier! When there are not, it is a real jungle out there! While all lions are not in the zoo, it is good to know there are some credible people out there trying to tame the beasts and bring real products to market.

The same Saffron in Water to show adulteration is described at the end of the article.

Answer to the previous Question? YES

2010-08-15T07:19:00.001-05:00

The Wild ride continues. Reasons given are boiled down to this:

Investors have no idea what to put their money into and hunkering down with cash is a no pay back proposition. The concern of the INFLATION side is balanced by the DEFLATION side almost as much as the general world opinion is sliced 49.5% to 50.1% on any given day to any given side.

Not knowing. The new economy. Really it's just like the old one.

The Wild Ride of the US $ to continue?

2010-08-11T18:42:00.000-05:00

The forecast for September is (was) 1.36 US$ to Euro.

Today close was dramatic. Think there's anything clear on the horizon?

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar

Spain Wins

2010-07-12T06:57:00.000-05:00

The Best Team Won!

The Art of the Market or Artichokes to be SHORT

2010-05-21T09:12:00.000-05:00

There are a limited amount of things in the world. In fact I can think of few things that are limitless.

Artichokes are surely not that.

The South American industry has pretty much stopped shipping so all those who abandoned Spain's leading industry with its high Euro and high labor expenses suddenly are running back to cover their needs...

Small problem. The last 5 years of their absence has seen a dramatic change in the landscape. There are few packers and fewer funds to finance the short season's crop. The few packers left are feeling the credit crunch in Spain and are not able to finance much of what has traditionally been an auction crop paid for in cash (loaned by banks).

Not today.

(It is rumored that much of the raw crop was bought up by Italian traders for consumption in the fresh and grilled markets of their country.)

Today, you better have a specific shipping model and you will be obliged to take shipments before the end of September...

Importers are hardly better able to finance this production! Normally importers would book through to the following April (13 months out). Instead they are are buying to need only (too expensive for speculation and in too limited of a market)...

We will see shortages. How severe? That depends on the big bet: There will be an early Winter Crop... We'll see that outlook not until late October or November...

And if you thought the stronger US $ was going to offset? I don't think so as the few producers who have survived, with any new bookings, are looking at 30% hikes from last year in EURO terms... The dollar is only 12% stronger right now...

Any bettors out there?

Retail Jars for View

2010-05-04T11:08:00.000-05:00

To help you in selecting the proper stuffed olive jars:

8 PAR ='s 4.75 drained ounces
Bucket ='s 5.75 dr wt ounces
12 PAR ='s 7 dr wt ounces
16 PAR ='s 10 oz dr wt
v270 ='s 15 oz dr wt

or slightly less if pitted.

Nobody said it'd be...

2010-04-21T08:42:00.000-05:00

Arm in a sling or "I'd give my right arm if..."

Why We Are in Afghanistan

2010-04-03T10:01:00.003-05:00

More Artichoke News

2010-03-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

The artichokes follow the weather, the packers follow the artichokes, the artichokes are a cash crop, the cash is not available... This is the reason for the rise in the Spanish Prices by 10% over last year in EX FACTORY terms. There are additional factors:

Duty Rate break is GONE... Back to the higher 14.9% (brine) and 10.2% (marinated).

Ocean Freight rates climbing solidly higher...

There is some offset to the rise with the stronger US $... Forecasting that, making solid bookings, all the conditions for stable market do not exist.

Oh, yes, in Peru and Spain principle packers are filing Chapter 11 (equivalents) bankruptcies.

BOOK NOW folks... Contact Us at Blue Planet Foods, ltd

Artichoke Crop Delays

2010-03-11T09:07:00.000-06:00

I rec'd this news this week:

"Crop delayed due to bad weather (sure you have seen this week snow storms in Barcelona etc...?"

Quantity needs should be discussed now... Pass us your requirements.

If you are thinking that Peru will fill the void, we'll see. Conflicting reports keep coming regarding the financial viability of Peru's main packing companies. And in Spain, prior to this delay, there were forecasts of 30 % more crop but less financing available to the producing factories... result: less product packed.

Trucks and Others

2010-03-10T07:02:00.000-06:00

While we all might be citizens of the Blue Planet, there are still long lines and histories to overcome. And it takes so long to get things moving...

With out any comment as to the NAFTA itself, here's a LINK HERE as the one year anniversary of breaking parts of a signed treaty leads to all sorts of headaches (tariffs, loss of jobs, etc.).

FDA Recalls Many Products Containing HVP

2010-03-04T19:34:00.001-06:00

HERE's access to the listing of the specific products.

The responses are posted at FDA's Recall Twitter Site in almost real time...

FDA TWITTER SITE

The Pain in Spain falls Plainly on All

2010-02-28T21:34:00.000-06:00

While Greece is getting into the news, it is a serious issue as well for the next pegs up in the European Community's economic pecking order with Portugal, Italy and Spain facing serious problems in the coming days that may lead to further erosion of the economic platform of the EURO.

Spain is at + 20% unemployment. Both individuals and companies are not able to get proper credit to continue to operate. What a mess SPAIN has in front of her. As one friend told me, this is the worse crisis since the Civil War!

Let's Chat Olives...

2010-02-23T19:00:00.002-06:00

The Rain in Spain fall mainly on Andalusia!

And it has done so for the last 5 months. The result? The early prediction is in and the Olive Crop is going to be short this Fall's harvest....

China and the Expanding Middle Class

2010-02-17T08:01:00.002-06:00

Currency values are related as you all know. But related to Politics too. China appears set to recognize that their undervalued currency and surcharged economy needs managing... I am not sure 5% is in the cards for this year.

Who ever thought the Communists would be so conservative! Wait. Of course they are!

Click the title to see the article quoting Goldman Sach's Chief Economist.

Spain Economic Outlook...

2010-02-10T18:26:00.004-06:00

Paul Krugman describes the "EUROMESS".

To synopsize and quote: "Spain’s troubles are not...the result of fiscal irresponsibility...they reflect “asymmetric shocks” within the eurozone, which ...have turned out to be an even worse problem than the euroskeptics feared.

"Spain, real estate prices soared after 2000... massive inflows of capital; Germany moved into huge current account surplus ... Spain moved into huge deficit.

"These big capital inflows raised demand for Spanish goods and services...(&)...higher inflation in Spain than in Germany.

"Bubble burst, leaving Spain with much reduced domestic demand — and highly uncompetitive within the euro area thanks to the rise in its prices and labor costs. If Spain had had its own currency, that currency might have appreciated during the real estate boom, then depreciated when the boom was over. Since it didn’t and doesn’t, however, Spain now seems doomed to suffer years of grinding deflation and high unemployment."

The trend is clear but the outcome not.

The Dollars Rock and Roll Ride and Costing

2010-02-09T08:13:00.003-06:00

The last 4 weeks have seen a 6% + strengthening of the US Dollar rate vs. the EURO! And since early December 8 short weeks ago that change is over nearly 11%!

There were reports about the overvalued EURO etc but this is pretty fast. Inventory you own are 11 % high in spot terms.

What a ride! Will it continue and to what level. Like the weather man on the news, look out the window and predict what you see to continue and you'll be right every day until you are wrong one day. Then change your forecast to be right again!

There is now no certain bottom. The fluctuations, like climate change, is going to have storms like we have not seen on our life times!

Enjoy the ride!

Snow in Sevilla!

2010-01-12T11:07:00.003-06:00

Rain and Snow even! The Prices for this year are still not settled as there appears to be a developing shortage of 200 to 260 sized Manzanillas. Here's the latest:

"It seems this season has been poorer (quantity and size) than expected. The average of caliber is small (below 340) so sizes for domestic (Spanish) market and some foreign markets are very limited.

Bell Carter via Aceitunas Guadalquivir has moved "massive" quantity of manzanilla large size (320 and over) to cover deficit of California crop. They want to use manzanilla (though seems they got lots of sub variety of carrasqueña) instead of hojiblanca once they believe it will be closer to manzanillo variety... Myself not so sure about that.

The point is that such "early attack" by BC has not only removed substantial kilos from the market of large manzanilla but also forced prices up...

At this point its impossible to know prices for manzanilla 2010 as nobody is selling or closing a price. We think it will take at least thru mid Feb to have this matter cleared up."

Happy Newest Year

2010-01-04T08:57:00.001-06:00

Another new year and starting the 11th year of Blue Planet Foods! Many thanks to all.

China's Economic Outlook Drags Us All (Up & Down)

2009-11-10T06:45:00.004-06:00

The last years have been a wild ride but at BPF we have been able to keep costs low by searching alternative sources while always watching quality specifications. China has one of the sources for us in key items such as Mandarins with much success and others like Artichokes with less. So many production areas can say the same in many different industries. We are more connected globally than ever before.

For the last few years, as most know, China has supplied most of the world's economic growth (International Monetary Fund sources, WSJ, etc.).

The U.S. and the E.U. are expected to expand barely for years to come, while (we hope) China's economy to keep rising at this year's at 8% growth rate or better. Is this going to happen? WSJ's Gongloff raises some interesting quotes including: "The combination of soaring investment and dwindling returns was seen in Japan in its asset bubbles in the 1980s and in the "Asian Tigers" just before their crises in the late 1990s, he (Edward Chancellor at Boston asset-management firm GMO) says."

The impact to costs of Mandarins is pretty clear. Prices are going up. How much will depend on several factors which we will watch closely...

Stay tuned as China evolves into the engine of the recovery or the latest weak link in the evolving global economic scene.

Artichokes Early

2009-11-06T07:38:00.002-06:00

When I began in the business, there were over 170 packers of Artichokes in Spain and none in China, Peru and very few in Chile. Product was mostly packed fresh from the Spring Crop. The heat around Easter always ended the "COLMA" or large influx of raw material to auction and 90% of the years product was produced. Late November or early December production was small and used for marinated and bottoms nearly exclusively. Packing for this was only a few weeks.

This year there may be only 10 or so packers left in Spain of which only 4 or 5 are seriously adding production (for which the USA is the largest market).

This year packing of the "Winter" crop begins earlier then my memory recalls (end of October!) due to the ideal weather this fall... The importance of the winter crop increases as does the quality of the harvested material.

While the economic shake outs may continue, the turn around after the shortages of this year leaves the major producers rushing to fill the vacuum.

Olives Looking Good

2009-10-31T10:42:00.002-05:00

The Olive Crop is looking solid in Spain... Prices should moderate. The only issue is the continued fall-out of the economic disasters in Spain and the shortage of credit.

To finance the the finished harvest is no small expense. Like with Artichokes earlier this year, fiscally responsible public (and private) companies are trying to be sure they are in balance and are not producing without buyer's contracts. Even the Coops have, albeit in different forms, problems of credit though I expect they are obliged to take in and cure material.

But the crop looks good with the exception of 240/260 calibrated Manzanilla, the most popular stuffing size of this variety. The Manz are running very small.

Short Term Olive Oil Trend

2009-10-19T08:49:00.001-05:00

Since last market report market the trend has confirmed a continued firmness on prices of extra virgin oil due to limited stocks of last year crop.

Co-ops are doing their best to optimize value of current stocks during interim term (ie old/new crop overlap)by keeping the spigot tight.

New crop looks to be good ,therefore this trend should start turning over and heading the other way by mid November.

Buy only to spot needs until the new crop prices become apparent and the market circumstances change.

The Dollar's real Value... In Goods...

2009-10-13T08:02:00.003-05:00

More on the impact of the falling dollar and when enough is too much by Gongloff of the WSJ. As the US $ reaches for record lows again against a Basket of currencies he holds forth the latest/greatest tools of economic wizardry of prediction that looks to prices in real goods. What does using the iPOD costing or the real effective exchange rate index compiled by the Bank for International Settlements he concludes the eventual obvious with:

"Unfortunately, this is all so much theory. In reality, the dollar is arguably underpriced against some currencies, such as the euro, and overpriced against others, such as China's yuan."

The Weakening US Dollar

2009-10-12T18:56:00.003-05:00

"Measured in euros, U.S. per capita GDP is down 25%" ...

Transfer of wealth has been underway for a while. I saw gas prices at 1 euro per liter. That's $3.86 per gallon... I remember when the US Empire and Power has us 3 to 4 times less... Soon we'll be paying the same in the US as in Europe.

Domain Changes Take Time

2009-09-29T06:32:00.004-05:00

We are off line at Blue Planet Foods as we switch companies for our online activities. The goal is to give us a new more flexible on line presence as well as add services to our clients.

Hopefully!

Where the US $ MAY be going...

2009-09-21T06:59:00.002-05:00

Much guess work. The dollar will remain weak as long as the US has low interest rates.
Interest rates won't change until next year...

"Most economists think the Fed is keeping a close eye on any signs of stabilization in the labor, banking and housing sectors. When those become more obvious, the Fed will need to aggressively raise rates and end those emergency lending initiatives.

But a majority of forecasts don't show stabilization until the end of the year or beginning of 2010. Until then, the Fed is likely to keep rates unchanged so it doesn't disrupt what appear to be the underpinnings of an economic rebound." CNN Money Report Sept 21

JP Morgan Chase had predicted 1.50 by the end of the year. We appear headed that way sooner.

California Olive Crops Down, Spain Quantity Up

2009-09-02T08:19:00.002-05:00

California's 2009 olive crop forecast is 50.0 thousand tons, down 25% from last year. The bearing acres are estimated to be 29.0 thousand acres, resulting in a yield of 1.72 tons per acre. For the second year in a row the California olive crop is turning out light. The 2009 crop which was looking promising in early spring has turned disappointing. There was a heavy bloom and set reported in spring, but conditions deteriorated as the growing season progressed. Small olives were reported with some falling off trees. The change in the outlook has been attributed to spring freezes, extreme temperatures and water stress to trees. These factors seem to have had the most severe impact in San Joaquin Valley and a lesser impact in the Sacramento Valley. The decline of the 2009 crop has led some growers to evaluate whether harvesting this year's crop will be economically feasible.

Source: Fresh Plaza.com

Container Spot Rates Volatility

2009-08-27T09:58:00.001-05:00

As good an indicator as any of the upturn from the bottoms... And this component is the first in a inflationary trend? I think so... What do you think?

Olive Oil Prices Rising

2009-06-19T08:29:00.003-05:00

Seems that prices have fallen so much and the Retailers in Europe have such stocks on hand that the EU (European Union) is jumping in to support prices...

Support Prices is euphemism for "get prices up". Does this sound like socialism?

Nope.

The impact on people is clear... Higher costs in a staple while unemployment is at high points along the Mediterranean sea!

What is a Low Acid Food - Stuffed Olives?

2009-05-17T17:32:00.002-05:00

Are Spanish Stuffed Olives a low acid food? In my 30 plus years of importing them... No.

But being right is not necessarily the correct answer: Water activity and pH definitions be damned. An inspector says no... that's that. (and precious little real dialogue).

But hey, if the Spanish packing industry would only file low acid, I am pretty sure that FDA would reject the filing as not being low acid.

Here is an issue that should be resolved simply by food technologists. Does it or not need filing as a low acid food?

FDA has been under such duress that they are missing the big picture. I don't envy them their responsiblities. So fearful of mistakes...

Blue Planet Foods visits and inspects all of the packing partners we use across the world. We don't wait for FDA. We look to guarantee that we have sound, healthy, current practices in the manufaturing of our products.

With a bit of clarity, we want to work towards the goal of SAFE FOODS with any and all.

Meanwhile, the Stuffed Olive Saga continues.

Currency Fluctuations!

2009-03-21T09:25:00.004-05:00

Since the start of the month, the euro has gained about 7.8 percent against the US dollar! Most all of that was in the last week!

What's next?

The European Central Bank has to do something! What a mess!

LA Produce Market

2009-03-20T15:47:00.002-05:00

There are many links in the global food chain. Weak Produce Sales... Not the only problem.

1.23 to 1.50 euros to US$

2009-03-18T13:59:00.001-05:00

That is the divegence that we see...
Here's a Blommberg report... Which way is up and out?

Retail Green Olive Jars

2009-03-16T14:13:00.000-05:00

Whatever You May Think...

2009-03-14T09:18:00.001-05:00

Be they soldiers of the UK or the USA or the EU or any soldiers who try to keep us safe... Thank you.

Beef Hormone Wars , Will there be a New Way Forward?

2009-03-13T10:03:00.001-05:00

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced today it is delaying by one month the imposition of additional duties on a modified list of EU products in connection with World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement rulings in the EU - Beef Hormones dispute. Under a determination announced Jan. 15, the additional duties were to go into effect March 23. Under the delay announced today, the additional duties are scheduled to go into effect April 23.

A USTR spokesperson said the reason for the delay is that the "USTR is currently in discussions with the European Commission on a possible interim solution that would provide benefits for U.S. beef producers. These discussions have made progress, although several important issues remain to be resolved. USTR has decided to delay the trade action in order to give this process every possibility of success."

The USTR said in order to respect commercial arrangements made in the period since Jan. 15, there will be no delay in the March 23 effective date of the deletion of products from the list of products subject to additional duties.

Mishap in Santa Barbara

2009-03-12T20:55:00.003-05:00

Seems that bad folks are everywhere or a reap sow situation at least. Santa Barbara Olive Co. is a fine old label.

Michael J. Totten: Christopher Hitchens and the Battle of Beirut

2009-02-27T08:10:00.000-06:00

Michael J. Totten: Christopher Hitchens and the Battle of Beirut

21 st Century Communications

2009-02-17T13:27:00.002-06:00

The President may have a Blackberry but I got this e-mail from LA's FDA offices...

"Due to heightened computer and Internet security practices currently in place, unsolicited electronic mail correspondence is no longer being accepted. Future unsolicited electronic mail transmissions, as well as e-mail transmissions containing attached files, will be immediately deleted. Requests for Compliance status information can be directed to (310) 971-2399. Other correspondence shall be forwarded via hard copy to our office for processing and review. Correspondence may also be faxed..." to one of the following product-specific numbers listed below:

BTW

2009-02-12T14:03:00.002-06:00

And BTW, FDA at each port is quite different. In the East, through direct dialog, Product that should be released, has been released... in a timely manner...

Solid!

Time Management at FDA and the PEANUT Scare

2009-02-11T18:50:00.005-06:00

How many Bernie Madoffs are there out there? You can be sure that there is more than one.

Same with Stewart Parnell of the Peanut Corporation of America who allowed, it is alleged, product into sales he knew had tested positive for Salmonella. Do we really think that he is the only one in the global food processing system that is capable of doing that? PEANUTS

The FDA has less people today to inspect more facilities than ever. It seems they rely on systems to cast a net as wide as possible in hope of stopping problems?

Why Are Importers & FDA in an Adversarial Relationship?

Why can't entry's be on line to stream line dialog between the compliance or investigative officer and the importer and broker? Had this been possible, 2 Investigators would not have had to witness the destruction of perfectly good tuna from Spain (all for 4 cases!) instead of inspecting food producing facilities. The goods were rejected for a clear misunderstanding that an importer should have been able to resolve had there been a direct dialog.

Invisible entries. Archaic programs. Antagonistic relations.

The result... The food chain remains at risk.

FDA and the Grasping of Straws?

2009-02-07T08:33:00.004-06:00

Good Importing Practices is the Draft of the effort of FDA to tell us to do the right thing... And gives some suggestions.

Rightfully so, FDA states that compliance is a "shared responsibility between the public and private" groups. I have long advocated many of the suggestions [particularly knowing from whom you are buying products] but find this all a bit humorous given the current FDA FILE problems I have had with the Agency in the Port of LA.

I have been told "not to contact FDA directly" as the Inspectors "do not want to talk to the Importer!" I have been ignored when trying to contact with information. There is no dialog with any one there and in fact, if you should actually get an FDA employee on the phone, they will only talk to you about ONE ENTRY at a time. Call back if you have more then one!

It seems to me that Good Practices start with good communication. IF the import community could go on line and, by entry number, have a dialog or see a status of shipments, we would be further along the way to Good Practices...

Right now there is only animosity in the west as sales fall and port traffic is down and FDA can't tell low acid foods from others!

Updates from Our Friends

2009-01-30T07:00:00.003-06:00

Our friends at REMA FOODS give this snap-shot report to the markets. Check it out.

Market Notes from REMA

More Saffron and Corrections

2009-01-23T13:16:00.002-06:00

We have found some Spanish Buyers who are replacing at the 3500 EUROS per kilo level. So that needs to be clarified...

Also, we are told and have confirmed that there is a speculative fever involved in the markets with buyers in the Emirates, and elsewhere taking positions and holding product... Why? Anyone can guess... Your guess will be as good as mine.

What other sources are there for saffron: Well there is Morocco but quality and culture make it very hard to get anything that we could use... Kashmir is already short and vastly higher in price even yet...

The new possibility will be Afghanistan! Change your Poppies to Saffron! Quality has been said to be good but problems in export are large.

Anybody want to switch to powders? We are looking at this again...

Saffron Prices Soar

2009-01-23T07:16:00.001-06:00

While we had hoped that the Saffron Market would loosen up, we advised last year that the high prices we were seeing may be the best of what was to come...

Boy we were right. The market has ROCKETED up from the first of the year. Here is what we are told so far:

Last crop (Fall 2008) was forecasted short 40% and was that and shorter!

Prices have gone up in non stop increase since early 2006. Looks to have accelerated.

Current price for raw saffron euros 3500 per kilo. .... This is a figure never seen before in all the collective years of all of us!

Spain has stopped importing saffron [or is preparing to do so] as the market seems not to be ready to accept prices figured out at such raw material level. Though who knows...

Limited inventories at Blue Planet Foods requires an immediate advance in prices upwards of 75%... Please check with us for specifics.

More when more is available.

When People are Heros!

2009-01-18T08:12:00.000-06:00

What Goes Around Comes back to Haunt

2009-01-14T09:55:00.006-06:00

When the US $ was so very weak last year, many importers switched from solid producers of such things as Artichokes and Olives to move to what they thought was less expensive alternatives.

For example, Ripe Olives from EGYPT (collapsed as there were tremendous rejections by USDA) to Artichokes from Peru (collapsed from Non-Delivery)...

So then they try to jump back into the Spanish scene as if nothing happened...

But things happened.

Companies sold elsewhere and remembered being left for dead by buyers...

We all know that price is driven by demand... but rarely do people remember the all important PRICE-QUALITY ratio...

Cliches like "you get what you pay for" come to mind. But it is more than that. Our business's need product of solid consistent quality... Low price is only one component of many...

BTW, this year looks to be pretty challenging... Did you notice?

All the best in 2009 starting with HEALTH... then quality of life... All else follows....

Happy Holidays from Blue Planet Foods and AJ Gourmet

2008-12-25T11:56:00.000-06:00

We wish everyone the very best for the Holidays and for the newest year!

Mandarin Oranges Part 2

2008-12-18T16:51:00.006-06:00

Yes, there are Satsuma Mandarins in Spain but maybe only 4 processors left after the swings of the pendulum.

According to a source in Spain:
-harvest 10% less than expected
-prices about 20% up compared to 2007
-excellent quality
-pack already finished

Spanish Industry is selling in Europe under the umbrella of EU Antidumping Duty imposed to China.

These increases are not reflective of the damage to the industry in Spain. The Satsuma Trees uprooted as the Chinese industry bought the business have resulted in a large portion of this increase in price but it doesn't really reflect the irony of the $4 Fresh Clementines that I just bought at my local Jewel Grocery Store!

What a world!

And BTW, did you all see the wild US $ ride of the last days? The FED have abandoned the US $ is the common comment now... You can expand the link to the right and play with the options to see hourly etc....

Whew!

Mandarin Orange Season Profile Part 1:

2008-12-13T09:38:00.001-06:00

This portion is the China Report:

Fresh raw material is supply is up about 15% resulting in a less expensive raw material price to producers then last year. On the surface that looks good but as we all know, nothing is so easy as that these days.

Production is down despite this increase.
Financing is very limited.
While raw material price is down in RMB terms [Last year range of 0.90 - 1.20 vs. 0.60 today] so farmers are not keeping crop for later sales.
Anti Dumping imposing on China's exports to Europe to be announced shortly resulting in very weak orders.
Costs are up including tin plate up 10% and Labor up 20%
Fuel costs are up 50% from last year TMB$600/ton to $900/ton.
FOREX impact frm 1 US $ at RMB 7.3 to today's 6.83.

Chinese New Year is Early this year cutting the production period.

These things combine to make it look like the prices may jump a nice bit after the holiday for those looking to buy.

To get the best prices orders need to be in hand very soon [like now!] to assure price and quality.

More as it comes...

How's Your Economy?

2008-12-06T08:41:00.001-06:00

The race is on to see who will see the bottom first!

Saffron News from Kashmir

2008-11-17T05:48:00.004-06:00

Kashmiri Saffron declines as Iran now has 80% of the market. This article indicates that modernization of the Iranian Saffron business has hurt the Kahmiri markets.

The FDA Mismanages Employee Pay And Benefits // Pharmalot

2008-11-16T10:22:00.002-06:00

The FDA Mismanages Employee Pay And Benefits // Pharmalot: "The FDA Mismanages Employee Pay And Benefits
1 Comment

By Ed Silverman // November 5th, 2008 // 10:06 am

The FDA may be on a hiring spree and snared 1,300 new faces, but consider the working environment - a suffocating bureaucracy, ever-changing leadership, compensation that lags industry pay and, as it turns out, woeful record-keeping that shortchanges employees.

In a letter to FDA commish Andy von Eschenbach, Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the US Senate Finance Committee, writes that “high-level FDA officials and others have complained” about paycheck errors that resulted in “legal fees and sloppy record keeping.” The errors have “shaken confidence” in the FDA’s personnel management.

“Based on the reports that have come to me, it looks like there is more than isolated incidents of mismanagement, and it could have significant repercussions for the quality workforce that the public deserves to have at the Food and Drug Administration,” he writes.

A few examples: an FDA employee went to the emergency room in the middle of the night with a sick child, but discovered the FDA had incorrectly fired him, which meant there were no health benefits. Two employees may have been mistakenly overpaid by several t"

FDA So. California... What's Wrong?

2008-11-15T10:24:00.002-06:00

I have had a shipment held by US FDA since July 2008 of our famous Novia del Sol Stuffed Olives. Why? There was an error on the commercial invoice that caused an inspector to think the olives were "low-acid".

Foods that are low acid, as most of you know, need additional information filed with FDA. Low acid is defined as foods with a pH above 4.6. Here are some links that explain:

Cornell's Low Acid Fact Sheet
or
US FDA's Fact Sheet

We have shown several compliance officers all needed documents showing that the product is NOT LOW ACID. FDA has taken samples that clearly prove these olives are NOT LOW ACID. FDA have in other ports and even in the port of LA approved prior and SUBSEQUENT shipments as NOT LOW ACID.

The FDA in So. California, long overworked, has been consolidating and moving people around between offices. As this takes place, our case has fallen through the cracks and now nobody wants to put their name to a release in this day of FDA fear of mistakes... Our shipment is lost in this twilght zone...

One officer to whom we were told to use for compliance freely admitted not having knowledge of foods but expertise in other areas, asked us for more information to add to the growing file...Then passed this hot potato to another investigator...

There is no direct dialogue between importers and compliance.

"Change" is not just political phrasing... It is real world... We all need to participate openly and honestly.

Without the proper environment to improve things, government risks being part of the problem & not the solution... If these olives held hostage are any example.

So Much Going On

2008-11-10T10:54:00.003-06:00

I am told by some friends that I can be pretty arrogant but it seemed really irrelevant for me to be posting over these last days as the political and economic fireworks were going off all around us.

What is left in the wake to say?

The US $ is up (except against the Japanese Yen) as the Euro Zone is in full job loss recession (Spain is a disaster!) but we seem to be at the 1.26 to 1.29 range for now...

The inflationary effects of the costs to produce (tin plates for cans, etc) are driving prices beyond any FOREX savings though and we will be lucky to stay the course (whoa, there's a post political term).

I promise to try and update with pertinent details more regularly [but don't count on it] as my computer is up again and so am I!

Olive Crop Harvest

2008-10-02T13:50:00.003-05:00

Between hail, rain and bad judgment of many, the Queen Olive crop looks to be down from 32 million kilos to 17 million kilos yield this season. Good luck and good night to all who did not book quantities.

So much of our business is done on trust and good information.

To bad there is little of the last and nearly none of the first.

Saffron NEWS

2008-09-19T09:10:00.005-05:00

Ahead of the new crop, Iran has solidified control over the global markets. They are withdrawing offers when prices fall below €1,500 per kilo for standard grades. This is about 6 % higher than the beginning of the month with decreases in harvest quantities (see article) and with the price manipulation as the Iranian coop controls a solid amount of the international market.

Obviously this only goes so far as demand falls... and there is not lots of saffron to sell anyway so I don't think we'll see any declines (except perhaps for FOREX) through the next few months and with the new season...

I advise shipping at current prices to cover only HOLIDAY needs for now... Suppliers are relatively short.

Seasons to Everything, Right?

2008-09-19T09:10:00.001-05:00

I apologize for the delay in updating this and other BLOGS.

Those of you who know me are aware of the change in my life I recently experienced. I truly appreciate all their support and love over the last several weeks.

All is well and I promise to get back to work on as many things as possible!

CALIFORNIA OLIVE HARVEST

2008-08-20T08:12:00.003-05:00

Inconsistent yields from California's 23,000 acres of Sevillano and Manzanillo varieties have become very inconsistent... 2006 was bad with 23,000 tons harvested but it rebounded last year to over 130,000 ... This year is again a problem with an expected crop of only less than half of last year and production below that...

MIT Energy Breakthrough?

2008-08-04T07:24:00.003-05:00

While early here's an important breakthrough reported in the "Energy War".

SOLAR ENERGY is the obvious solution as a clean energy renewable source.

It is always easy to think cynically that these profound changes take too long to impact our lives and businesses. But on a Monday, this is pretty damn positive news!

WEST COAST SETTLED ??

2008-07-30T10:30:00.003-05:00

Labor News gives a bit of depth to the never easy contract talks between the PMA and the Longshoreman's Union which will be before the Division Caucus not until August 18th...

At least slow downs should be finished.

Trans Fats ... What's the Problem ?

2008-07-30T10:22:00.002-05:00

Reported in the Science News is some interesting contradictions to the political scene across much of the country...

TRANSFATS GOOD OR BAD

Do we got that?

2008-07-26T09:29:00.000-05:00

WHFoods: Olives

2008-07-25T08:34:00.000-05:00

WHFoods: Olives

This is a great site for glancing at the greater consequences of what we eat. This week it is OLIVES... What a coincidence as the market outlook for this fall is good supply of Oil making Olives (Hojiblancas) as well as Manzanillas... But for Queens... Well, look out!