Beef (Commodity)
Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Short – Mixed
Foodservice demand remains subdued, with distributors maintaining strong inventory positions as they prepare for the holiday season. Tenderloin prices are expected to peak in the coming days, while rib values are anticipated to appreciate through early December. Prices for chucks, rounds, and ground beef are projected to ease between Thanksgiving and Christmas, reflecting typical seasonal adjustments.

Butter
Near Term Pricing: Steady
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady
Retail butter demand is steady across regions, while foodservice demand varies from steady to lighter. Cream volumes are widely available, with some butter manufacturers declining spot loads. Production remains robust overall, though some manufacturers note two-week lead times for deliveries. Butter prices are expected to stay consistent through the holiday season.

Canned Vegetables
Near Term Pricing: Increasing
Supply vs. Demand: Short – Strong
Limited raw product availability has created a supply shortage of 6/10 small whole beets, with inventories expected to remain constrained until the 2025 pack season. Operators may need to consider alternative options to maintain menu consistency during this period.

Cheese
Near Term Pricing: Decreasing
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Strong
Cheese production schedules are mixed, with steady output in the East and variable production elsewhere. Milk availability is tight but sufficient to meet current manufacturing needs. Inventories remain steady, though some regional cheese plants report lighter production due to maintenance downtime. Overall, demand is stable, with slight seasonal fluctuations.

Fluid Dairy
Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Class I Available – Steady; Class II Short – Strong
Class I milk prices show small increases for whole and 2% milk, while 1% and skim prices have declined slightly. Class II dairy products, including creams and cultured items, continue to experience modest price increases due to seasonal demand. Supplies remain sufficient to meet current needs.

Oils/Shortening
Near Term Pricing: Steady
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Strong
Soybean and canola oil prices have stabilized following slight market fluctuations post-election. Ample domestic inventories from recent harvests ensure adequate supply through the holiday season. Margarine prices remain high due to global palm oil shortages, with no anticipated price relief in the near term.

Pork (Commodity)
Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Steady – Increasing
Prices for butts, spareribs, and St. Louis spareribs are rising through November and are expected to decline in December. Backribs remain stable, with steady demand and supply alignment.

Pork (Value-Added)
Near Term Pricing: Decreasing
Supply vs. Demand: Steady – Decreasing
Bacon prices are trending downward due to stabilized inventories and reduced seasonal demand. This provides cost-saving opportunities for foodservice operators.

Poultry (Chicken)
Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Mixed – Mixed
Jumbo breast meat prices increased this week, while jumbo and medium wing prices decreased. Tenderloins remain in tight supply, while the back half of the bird sees steady but constrained availability. Seasonal production adjustments influence market dynamics.

Poultry (Turkey)
Near Term Pricing: Steady
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady
Frozen whole bird and breast meat prices remain steady and well below year-ago levels. Ample supply ensures operators can meet holiday menu demands without price volatility.

Produce
Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Mixed – Mixed
Broccoli supplies remain tight due to insect pressure, leading to average quality and higher prices. Iceberg lettuce availability is constrained as Salinas transitions to Yuma, with light weights reported. Romaine is tight, especially for hearts, while tomatoes remain extremely constrained due to adverse weather in Florida. Strawberries are short in supply due to cool weather and shorter days. Idaho potatoes show excellent quality, but smaller sizes are limited.

Seafood
Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Mixed – Mixed
Salmon prices remain firm, especially for larger sizes, due to tight supply and steady demand. Ecuadorian white shrimp prices are rising, while black tiger shrimp remains stable. Lobster prices have increased for larger sizes, while scallops and snow crab prices remain high due to strong demand and limited availability.

Shell Eggs
Near Term Pricing: Steady
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Steady
Consumer demand remains moderate as holiday purchasing begins to increase. Supplies are light to moderate, with wholesale prices stabilizing after recent volatility. The egg market shows steady trading, with slightly improved availability for retail and foodservice buyers.

Sugar
Near Term Pricing: Steady
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Strong
Domestic sugar prices remain stable, with adequate inventory to meet holiday baking needs. The ongoing harvest season is progressing well, with no major disruptions expected. Seasonal demand is steady but not as strong as in previous years.

Wheat (Flour Based Products)
Near Term Pricing: Mixed
Supply vs. Demand: Available – Strong
Bulk flour prices remain steady, though production delays are common during the holiday season. The current wheat crop shows positive signs, ensuring sufficient supply to meet seasonal demand. Shipping delays may occur due to high production demand, but shortages are unlikely.