Beef

Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Mixed

The beef market is expected to soften through the fourth quarter, with the Choice cutout forecast to ease from roughly $378 toward the mid-$340s by December. Ribs remain the strongest area near term, while chucks, loins, and several round items trend lower through the fall.

Butter

Near Term Pricing: Decreasing
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady

Strong production, ample cream, and softer demand point to inventories above historical norms into 2027. West churns run at full capacity with soft foodservice demand. East holiday orders outpace output; Central stocks stay ample. Sources: USDA AMS and S&P Global

Cheese

Near Term Pricing: Decreasing
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady

Strong production, weak demand, and a counter-seasonal inventory build should keep stocks above year-ago levels through 2026. Central bulk cheese is abundant despite tight milk. Tighter European supply may support U.S. markets. Sources: USDA AMS and S&P Global

Fluid Dairy – Class I

Near Term Pricing: Increasing
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady

Class I covers fluid beverage milk. October brings a large cost increase on milks. Supplies remain available and steady, so the movement reflects the monthly Class I price rather than any shortage.

Fluid Dairy – Class II

Near Term Pricing: Steady
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady

Class II covers creams and cultured products such as sour cream and cottage cheese. October brings a minimal cost decrease across creams and cultured items. Supplies remain available and steady.

Oils/Shortening/Margarine

Near Term Pricing: Increasing
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Strong

Futures track harvest, biofuel mandates, and world oil prices, but manufacturer prices have changed little. Tallow stays elevated and supply-sensitive. Palm oil eased on higher output, pointing to steady-to-selectively-lower margarine and shortening.

Pork

Near Term Pricing: Decreasing
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady

Pork should soften through October and November before stabilizing at year-end, led by lower butts and loins; ribs stay firm. Fresh 42% and 72% trim fall sharply through November. Bellies remain volatile, keeping bacon pricing uncertain.

Poultry (Chicken)

Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady

Slightly tighter WOG supplies support a steady-to-firm market. Breast meat demand improved with more deboning, and boneless breast holds steady. Tenders and wings face soft foodservice demand. Limited bone-in supply supports leg quarters and thighs.

Poultry (Turkey)

Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Short – Mixed

Turkey markets remain steady to firm on tight whole-bird supplies and limited spot breast availability. Wings are the strongest part item on supply constraints. Breast meat, thigh meat, and tenderloins trade at largely unchanged levels.

Produce

Near Term Pricing: Steady – Avocados, Strawberries, Lemons, Oranges, Tomatoes, Onions, Idaho Russets; Increasing – Apples, Bell Peppers, Iceberg, Romaine, Broccoli
Supply vs. Demand: Available/Steady – Avocados, Strawberries; Decreasing/Strong – Apples, Bell Peppers, Strawberries, Broccoli, Iceberg, Romaine, Tomatoes, small Oranges, Lemons, large Idaho Russets, Onions

Broccoli is very tight on pest pressure; INSV is causing an iceberg shortage with light weights. Romaine, avocados, and peppers are steady. Apples firm as harvest starts; Romas and lemons are tight. Strawberries shift south, CA Navels start late October, and large onions and Russets are limited.

Seafood

Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady

Shrimp faces broad price pressure from strong imports and ample global supply, and lobster is softening as availability improves. Crab holds steady. Groundfish stays firm on tight supply, higher freight and tariff costs, and solid buyer demand.

Shell Eggs

Near Term Pricing: Decreasing
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady

Shell egg demand strengthened on more grocery features and higher market-ready inventories, while cage-free and organic stocks declined. Breaking-stock demand stayed light as processors built inventory. Source: USDA AMS

Sugar

Near Term Pricing: Increasing
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady

Bulk domestic sugar is expected to rise considerably in the coming weeks. A dry-weather beet harvest delay, mealybug pressure on Louisiana and Florida cane, and firm freight costs support values as holiday baking builds. Tight supply may become a longer-term trend.

Wheat (Flour-Based Products)

Near Term Pricing: Increasing
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Mixed

Wheat markets eased after the prior rally, reducing near-term pressure on flour costs. Mill pricing should hold mostly steady with selective easing, and flour-based dry mixes stay steady as holiday orders build. A widespread flour shortage is not expected.