Poultry
Chicken breast prices dropped another $0.06 to $1.89/lb, now down 28% from last month, while wings climbed for the seventh straight week to $1.54/lb. Thigh meat was mostly flat to down, and egg prices rose 4% week-over-week.
Outlook: Operators can expect lower chicken pricing to continue in the short term, especially on white meat. This is a good time to review portion costs and adjust recipes or menu pricing to protect margins.
Beef
Beef cutout values dropped post-holiday, even as live cattle prices rose 2%. Ribeyes saw modest gains, but loins, chucks, and rounds fell in price. Ground beef and trim pricing was mixed.
Outlook: With packers cutting harvest volume to manage costs, beef prices may continue trending down. Monitor subprimal pricing to maintain cost consistency on core menu items.
Pork
The pork cutout rose 2% last week, led by gains in hams, bellies, and tenderloins, while butts and ribs saw slight drops. Trim prices increased again, and export demand for butts softened.
Outlook: Operators should watch for softening pork prices overall, with the exception of hams, which may rise as the holidays approach. Now is the time to audit pork item costs and assess potential savings or menu changes.
Seafood
Cod prices dropped over 10% month-over-month, continuing a sharp downward trend. Tilapia is also declining, though at a slower pace.
Outlook: Frozen whitefish proteins are now a more cost-effective option. Operators may want to revisit seafood menu costs or evaluate swaps to improve plate profitability.
Produce
Avocados dropped to a new low at $45/carton, while iceberg lettuce climbed 7% and potatoes continued to rise. Roma tomatoes increased again but are expected to stabilize soon.
Outlook: Produce pricing is mostly stable for now, but fluctuations could pick up late summer. Consider locking in pricing on high-use SKUs or reworking portions if costs begin to rise again.
Dairy
Butter, block cheese, and barrel cheese were all slightly down last week. Milk supplies are tightening in some areas due to high temps, prompting more spot market buys.
Outlook: Dairy markets should stay relatively stable in the short term, but operators may see minor regional price shifts. Keep an eye on dairy-heavy items to ensure recipe costing remains accurate.
Grains
Soybeans spiked nearly 3% w/w after bullish crush data and biofuel demand speculation, while other grain markets stayed quiet.
Outlook: Price swings may continue for soybean-based products. If you’re using SBO or soy-heavy ingredients, flag those for closer review in your food cost tracking.
