Beef packers continue to pay record high prices for cattle which is leading to increased prices for consumers.  

Despite record highs for the beef cutout, strong consumer demand continues to support high beef prices.  

With improved precipitation and low feed prices, ranchers are holding onto cattle longer which has increased carcass weights.  

Heavier cattle carcass weights continue to help offset the reduced cattle supply.  

With cattle being kept on feed longer, grading for choice, premium, and prime remains strong. 

Availability for lower grades such as Select continues to be limited, which is supporting higher prices. 

• Ground beef pricing is trending lower now that the summer grilling season has concluded.  

• Ribeye pricing continues to increase as both retail and foodservice customers have stepped in to secure holiday inventory with beef supplies projected to be tight for the remainder of the year.  

• Striploin pricing will be increasing as consumers pivot away from the higher priced ribeye.  

• Chuck flat pricing will be increasing significantly in October due to the overall strength in the chuck complex as retailers have stepped in unseasonably early to secure inventory for their fall ad features.  

• Chuck Roll prices remain unseasonably high as end cuts are being utilized to fill grind demand and make up for the short fall of grind trim.    

• Sliced beef short rib pricing continues to remain at elevated levels due to limited availability of raw material.  

• Oxtail prices have been increasing due to limited cattle supplies and increased demand ahead of the colder winter months.   

With tight cattle supplies and continued strong consumer demand, availability will be the prevailing issue more than pricing as we approach the holidays. 

Post Labor Day, prices for virtually all chicken parts apart from party wings will be decreasing as seasonal demand softens for the entire chicken complex 

• BI Thighs – Availability for BI Thighs has improved so prices are trending downward because of softness in the marketplace.  

• BL SL Thighs – BL SL Thigh prices will be decreasing with sluggish demand after the Labor Day holiday.  

• Legmeat – Chicken leg meat pricing is finally showing signs of weakness and will be decreasing as we approach October.  

• Breastmeat – Breast meat prices will be decreasing as inventories build up in cold storage with retail demand receding. 

• Wings – Wing prices have been holding firm with the start of the NFL & college football season this month.  

• Turkey – Turkey prices remain high due to tight supplies and the resurgence of the HPAI bird flu affecting turkey flocks. 

Poultry Outlook – With high beef prices, poultry remains the protein of choice for consumers seeking value and affordability. 

With high beef and chicken prices, pork remains the best value for both the retail and food service segments.  

Retail demand for lower cost proteins such as sausages, hot dogs, canned meats, etc. has been supporting elevated pork prices. 

• Butts– Boneless butt pricing remains steady, however boneless picnic pricing has increased due to retailers featuring hot dogs & sausages prominently in their ad features.  

• Hams– Ham demand remains strong as tariffs have not negatively impacted exports to Mexico.   

• Back Ribs & Spare Ribs– Rib prices remain steady as retailers feature ribs as a lower cost protein option than beef.  

• Bellies- Domestic belly demand has been supporting higher prices as bacon is being featured prominently in retail ads. For bellies imported from Europe, higher prices are expected due to the impact of tariffs and reduced pork availability in Europe.  

Pork Outlook – With high beef prices, pork prices are expected to remain firm as retailers feature pork more heavily in their ad features. 

Mahi Mahi  

• Peruvian Season set to start October 1st, continue through April 30th  

• Smaller fish are usually the first to land.  

• Please consider Ono loins as an option to Mahi Fillets 

Pasteurized Canned Crabmeat (Blue and Red) –  

• NOAA announced the enforcement of Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Effective January 1, 2026.  

• Countries that rely on banned fishing methods (i.e. gillnets) that threaten dolphins and whales, will be banned for importation.  

• US importers and countries of origin are currently lobbying the current administration to lift the ban. 

Vannmei White Shrimp (India) –  

• The current administration has implemented a 50% tariff on all imports from India.  

• Many importers are trying to source from Ecuador, Indonesia and other countries.  

• Ecuador:  

• Exports focus heavily on Head-on/Shell-on product.  

• Do not grow shrimp as large as India. (21/25 Largest).  

• China and Europe are main importers  

• Vietnam, Philippines and Sri Lanka are not large enough to fill in. Vietnam and Philippines are priced too high.  

• Indonesia:  

• Only viable source to cover the void.   

• Will need 3-4 months to ramp up production.