Poultry
Broiler production increased again this week, keeping most chicken items steady while breasts dipped slightly and wings continued their steep year-over-year decline. Turkey pricing remains elevated and eggs are tightening quickly due to rising HPAI cases, creating added pressure for concepts with high egg or bakery usage.
Outlook: Expect chicken pricing to stay mostly stable through year-end, while egg markets remain elevated until HPAI disruption starts to ease.
Beef
Beef trended a bit lower as cutout values softened and holiday cuts like ribs and tenderloins reached their seasonal highs. Ground beef and trim showed modest strength, offering operators a more predictable cost environment heading into December.
Outlook: As holiday buying slows, the beef cutout is likely to move lower, with chucks, rounds, and mid-tier loins providing the best value for cost-conscious operators.
Pork
Pork markets slipped across most primals with bellies and trim driving a sharp pullback, though loins, ribs, and tenderloins posted small gains. Export demand remains strong, but domestic demand softness continues to apply downward pressure on the cutout.
Outlook: The cutout is expected to keep trending lower in the short term, giving operators continued value opportunities on pork heading into winter.
Seafood
Snapper stabilized after earlier declines driven by trade volatility and normal seasonal pressure, landing at its lowest point since 2021. As winter approaches, snapper typically firms, which could push prices higher into Q1.
Outlook: Expect firmer pricing through January with elevated levels into early Q1 before softening again as spring approaches.
Produce
Avocados surprised with another decline, dropping to $25 thanks to a smooth transition into Mexico’s main crop. Lettuce and tomatoes moved as predicted, offering steady pricing that supports more consistent inventory planning.
Outlook: Avocados may approach $20 if supply stays strong, while lettuce and tomatoes should hold steady into year-end before normal seasonal shifts in January.
Dairy
Dairy pricing was mixed as steady cheese production and softer foodservice demand kept block and barrel markets contained, while butter moved slightly lower despite strong international interest. Overall, dairy markets remain stable with manageable week-to-week movement.
Outlook: Expect mostly sideways pricing for cheese and butter, supported by steady production and moderate demand through the holiday period.
Grains
Grains pulled back as optimism about U.S.–China soybean purchases faded, with exports filling only a small portion of early expectations. Soybeans led the decline as markets adjusted to slower shipment activity and diminished confidence in near-term buying.
Outlook: Unless export volumes pick up, grain prices—especially soybeans—may continue softening as markets unwind earlier truce-driven momentum.
