FAQs

We track live lobsters (hard and new shell), frozen lobster tails, cooked whole, and lobster meat. Origins include the US, Canada, Brazil, the Caribbean, and South Africa.

It reflects a mix of supply factors (like seasonal harvests, quotas, shell conditions), demand signals (tourism, restaurant activity), and logistics (freight rates, inventory levels, trade barriers). Expana’s pricing tracks these variables weekly.

• Severe Price Fluctuations: Weather shocks, crop switching, and government policies can drive pronounced swings in pricing and supply.
• Adulteration Risks: Maintaining clean, high-purity cumin is critical given risks of contamination—an ongoing concern for importers.
• Quality Standards: Differing oil content and color specs across origins present import and blending challenges.
• Manual Harvest Dependency: Labour availability, costs, and regulatory changes have direct impacts on production outcomes.

India dominates global production, accounting for over 70% of output (950,000 MT in 2023), with Gujarat and Rajasthan as the powerhouse states. Other significant suppliers include Syria, Turkey, and Iran, though their output is more variable due to ongoing regional instability.

• Spice and flavour enhancement in model cuisines worldwide.
• Traditional medicine and natural health supplements.
• Cosmetic and personal care applications.
• Herbal remedies and functional foods.

Several factors have an outsized impact on cumin pricing:

Weather Conditions:

Cumin thrives in warm, dry climates with minimal rainfall. A prolonged spell of cold or wet weather—especially at harvest—can significantly reduce both the quantity and quality of cumin. Wet periods at harvest time also heighten the risk of fungal diseases, resulting in greater crop losses and potential quality downgrades.

Crop Competition & Farmer Response:

Farmers routinely make planting decisions based on comparative crop returns. If cash crops such as cotton, fennel, or coriander offer better revenues than cumin, producers switch acreage, sharply contracting cumin supply for the season. Conversely, when cumin prices rise, acreage expands. These rapid crop shifts can lead to considerable year-to-year volatility in both output and price.

Labour Costs:

Cumin is a manually harvested crop, making it highly sensitive to changes in national minimum wages. As wage rates increase, so does the cost of cumin production, leading to long-term price pressures—especially in major producing regions like India.

Export and Policy Influences:

Regulatory changes such as export bans, duties, or incentives—especially in India and Turkey—can tighten (or suddenly loosen) global supply, leading to rapid price adjustment.

Certifications such as ASC and BAP are increasingly required by large retail and foodservice buyers. They influence access to premium markets and can lead to price differentials for certified versus non-certified product.

Farmed shrimp, particularly whiteleg (Litopenaeus vannamei), dominates global supply and offers more consistent sizing and availability. Wild-caught shrimp – such as Gulf or Mexican varieties – often carry a price premium due to limited harvests, distinct flavor profiles, and sustainability considerations.

Ecuador, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia are the leading shrimp exporters, primarily supplying the US, EU, China, and Japan. The US is one of the largest importers, with seasonal and retail demand playing a major role in shaping trade patterns and price movements.

Shrimp prices are influenced by production volumes, feed costs, disease outbreaks, and trade flows. Inventory levels in key markets like the US and Europe also play a crucial role – high stocks can suppress prices, while low inventories can trigger restocking and upward momentum.

Prices are influenced by seasonal production cycles, export availability from Australia and New Zealand, shifting demand around holidays like Easter and Eid, and external factors like droughts, trade policy, and port congestion.

Chilled lamb offers superior texture, flavor, and freshness, making it the preferred option for high-end retail and foodservice. The higher cost reflects expedited logistics, reduced shelf life, and strict cold chain requirements.

Approximately 60 to 70 percent of boxed lamb sold in the US is imported, primarily from Australia and New Zealand. These imports help meet domestic demand that exceeds local production capacity.

Lamb comes from sheep less than one year old and is prized for its tenderness and mild flavor. Mutton, from older animals, has a stronger, gamier taste and is often used in stews or value-added products.

Lamb typically commands a higher price due to lower global supply, slower animal growth cycles, and smaller flock sizes. These factors result in higher production and processing costs compared to beef or poultry.

• Price fluctuations
• Adulteration and contamination concerns
• Ensuring consistent quality (curcumin content)
• Supply chain and export regulations

India is the largest producer, accounting for about 75-80% of global turmeric production.

Turmeric is used as:

• A spice and coloring agent in food
• An ingredient in traditional medicines and supplements
• A cosmetic ingredient
• A natural textile dye

Key factors include:

• Weather and climate conditions
• Crop diseases and pests
• Domestic demand and export policies
• Global market demand
• Farming methods and use of technology

These numbers refer to the lean-to-fat ratio in pork trimmings.

• 42s are higher-fat trimmings used in products like sausages and ground pork blends.
  
• 72s are mid-lean, ideal for processed meats.
  
• 90s are leaner and often used in low-fat or premium formulations.

Proposition 12 sets specific animal welfare standards for pork sold in California, requiring compliant sow housing practices. This has reduced the availability of eligible pork, altered supply chains, and increased market segmentation – often leading to price premiums for compliant product.

Belly prices – used primarily for bacon – can spike due to tight supplies, low cold storage inventories, or increased retail and foodservice demand. Seasonality plays a key role, with strong summer grilling demand often tightening fresh supply.

Pork prices are highly sensitive to changes in slaughter volumes, seasonal demand (such as grilling season or holidays), and international trade flows. Export demand – particularly from major buyers like Mexico and China – can shift quickly, while disease outbreaks and feed costs also contribute to price fluctuations.

The largest consumers are China, the United States, and the European Union. These regions drive demand for packaging, printing, and tissue products.