Poultry
Chicken prices continued to fall last week as production hit another seasonal high. Boneless/skinless breasts dropped $0.16 to $1.26/lb, and tenderloins slipped $0.21 to $1.75/lb. Wings also lost ground, down $0.14 to $1.30/lb, while drumsticks stayed mostly flat. Turkey markets were mixed — boneless breasts rose slightly, but whole birds fell 7%.
Outlook: Expect continued relief on poultry pricing through mid-October. Operators should use current market lows to lock in purchasing or adjust menu costs before demand picks up for the holidays.
Beef
Beef prices were mostly softer, with choice and select cutouts down 2–3% from the previous week. Ribeyes and loins held steady, while end cuts like chucks and rounds declined. Ground beef stayed around $3.50/lb, giving operators some margin flexibility for burger-heavy menus.
Outlook: Prices are likely to hold or dip slightly in the short term. Premium cuts will trend higher as holiday demand strengthens later this quarter.
Pork
The pork market saw another mixed week. Overall values slipped 3% to $107.35/cwt, with bellies leading the decline. Loins and tenderloins held up better, supported by steady export sales. Butts and ribs softened slightly, offering short-term buying opportunities.
Outlook: Expect steady-to-soft pork prices for now. Take advantage of lower-cost cuts while domestic demand remains quiet.
Seafood
Snow crab prices jumped 5.6% month-over-month as tighter quotas and strong demand pushed late-season pricing upward. The increase follows several months of easing costs earlier this year.
Outlook: Expect snow crab pricing to stay firm through the holidays before easing slightly in early 2026.
Produce
Iceberg lettuce finally ticked upward, jumping 12% after a long decline, while Roma tomatoes fell another 13%. The rest of the produce market stayed balanced, offering consistency for menu planning.
Outlook: Produce costs may stay stable in the short term but will likely edge higher as cooler weather impacts yields later this fall.
Dairy
Dairy prices moved higher as butter and cheese producers shifted into holiday mode. Butter climbed $0.11 to $1.75/lb, and cheese blocks rose to $1.78/lb. Demand remains healthy both domestically and internationally, keeping inventories tight.
Outlook: Expect firmer dairy pricing through the end of the year. Plan ahead for increased butter and cheese costs as seasonal demand peaks.
Grains
Soybeans gained modestly last week following trade headlines, while corn and wheat held steady. Feed prices remain relatively low, helping stabilize protein costs.
Outlook: Grain prices should stay steady for now, giving operators a bit of breathing room on input costs heading into Q4.
