Pine nuts:

Supply is becoming increasingly tight and we’re still some five months away from any respite afforded by the Chinese new crop. Although global consumption has declined, due to the current astronomical pricing, for the UK and Western Europe, pine nuts have become an established member of a range of seeds and seed mixes. So despite the high pricing, demand has been relatively buoyant. Prices are almost double historical highs.

Pumpkin seeds

: As with pine nuts we are mid-season and still many months away from any chance of China producing and shipping further quantities before their new crop is in. There are reports that China might finally be looking to increase their planted acreage for pumpkin seeds in order to take advantage of these higher prices. Demand is strong and prices are high, so we would not be surprised to see greater production coming out of China and, hopefully, a price correction into 2011.

Sunflower seeds:

Pricing has continued to creep higher, despite a greater total global supply. Although China and the US have dominated supply into bakery and food manufacture over the past few years, we are now seeing strong supply coming out of Eastern Europe, so despite increased demand, we should see additional supply on-going and, hopefully, some levels of pricing stability ongoing.

l Based on information provided by ingredients supplier RM Curtis

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