Poultry
Chicken production rose again last week, with USDA reporting 172.7 million head harvested — up slightly from the prior week and 3% above last year. That elevated supply kept prices soft across most categories. Boneless/skinless breasts edged up $0.03 to $1.14/lb, tenderloins held at $1.40/lb, and wings slipped $0.02 to $1.06/lb. Dark meat was mixed, with boneless thighs down $0.10 to $1.27/lb. In the turkey market, boneless breasts were steady, while whole birds declined 6% week-over-week. Eggs jumped 14% week-over-week and 20% month-over-month, though they’re still roughly 55% lower than last year.
Outlook: Higher harvest rates and slower demand are keeping chicken prices below seasonal averages, and operators can expect continued relief through November. Egg prices are likely to stay elevated through the holiday baking season before normalizing early next year. Overall, poultry remains a strong value opportunity for operators managing protein costs.
Beef
Beef prices moved lower across most categories. The DEC cattle contract fell 5%, while high-end cuts like ribeyes and tenderloins dropped nearly $1.00/lb. Shortloins and sirloins held firmer, while chucks and rounds declined slightly. Ground beef stayed steady at $3.62/lb, and trimmings saw small gains, with 50% trim up $0.10 to $1.83/lb.
Outlook: Beef prices are expected to trend lower into late November as holiday buying slows. Operators looking to balance menu costs might find better value on premium cuts, while more affordable items like chucks and rounds could dip further.
Pork
Pork markets eased again, with the cutout down 3% to $97.18/cwt. Bellies fell sharply by 9%, pulling bacon prices down. Loins and hams softened slightly, while pork butts were mixed — bone-in higher, boneless lower. Trimmings edged up just slightly, and export demand remained weak.
Outlook: With both domestic and international demand cooling, pork prices could remain on the softer side for the next few weeks. Now is a good time for operators to review contracts and take advantage of lower bacon and loin prices for upcoming menus.
Seafood
Frozen haddock stayed firm at $3.95/lb, holding near record-high seasonal levels but showing no sign of breaking higher. Import volumes are expected to rise into year-end, balancing supply.
Outlook: Haddock prices should remain steady for the rest of the year, offering predictable costs for operators using it in fried or baked seafood menu items.
Produce
After weeks of climbing, lettuce prices finally leveled off. Iceberg dropped 21% week-over-week, landing near $40/carton after peaking above $50. Other lettuce types held firm, and large roma tomatoes trended lower as the market continued to underperform seasonally.
Outlook: Iceberg may stabilize or rebound slightly, but overall, produce markets are expected to even out heading into the holidays. Operators can anticipate more predictable pricing for lettuce and tomatoes through late November.
Dairy
Dairy prices declined last week as production remained strong. Butter fell $0.14 to $1.47/lb, and both block and barrel cheese dropped $0.11 to around $1.70/lb. Milk supply is steady, and cream availability remains high, supporting consistent production levels and ample inventories.
Outlook: With supply outpacing demand, operators can expect favorable pricing on dairy staples through the month. Now’s a good time to stock up on cheese and butter ahead of holiday traffic and catering demand.
Grains
Grain prices were mixed and volatile. Corn, soybeans, and wheat all slipped after China shifted soybean purchases to Brazil. Smaller-than-expected U.S. wheat orders and stable corn yields added to the softness.
Outlook: Operators can expect steady-to-lower costs for grain-based products and feed through year-end, helping ease pressure on proteins and baked goods.
