In news this week - American consumers are showing signs of optimism. It was just a year ago when middle class Americans tightened control on discretionary spending by 3.5 percent – the largest single-year drop since record keeping began in 1984. But for 2010 - the Consumer Confidence Index is much more optimistic - consumers may still be weighed down by employment concerns - but they are definitely more positive than in previous years – and the impact on sales has been noticeable. Casual dining restaurants reported strong sales over the summer - which then carried into September. This upswing should fuel margin and earnings growth for many companies. Improved sales at the restaurant level will funnel up the supply chain to distributors – who should be targeting chains that show high foot-traffic trends - AND - those with pricing power – those being chains that have the ability to raise prices - without seeing much effect on demand. In the retail sector - there is also evidence of a slowly rebounding economy – while 2009 was a period of discounts and low prices - this year and in 2011 - consumers are ready to pay a bit more –BUT - they want value for their money. Food manufacturers and foodservice providers should be focusing on communicating added-benefits to their customers. Information should be clearly visible and transparent. Be sure to join us next Monday – for additional news on a changing economy from the Canadian perspective IN OTHER NEWS… Next years’ Cod quotas are up around the globe – Norwegian and Russian fishermen in the Barents Sea will be allowed to catch 703,000 metric tons – an increase of 16 percent over 2010. Quotas for Bering Sea & Gulf of Alaska Cod have been set at almost 170,000 metric tons and 60,000 metric tons respectively – increases of 30 percent over 2010. In the past - a diminishing proportion of wild-caught Atlantic Cod put increased pressure on Alaska’s Pacific Cod. Now - with supply of both types of Cod forecasted to increase - there may be some downward pressure on prices. Thank you for joining me for The Tradex Foods "3-Minute Market Insight" This is Robert Reierson - “BUY SMART” and “EAT MORE SEAFOOD”

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