April 1, 2025 Market Report

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Produce

Tomatoes and lettuce took the spotlight—25 lb. large romas soared 44% w/w and are now up nearly 62% over two weeks, while 24-count iceberg prices rose as crop transitions continue. Relief isn’t expected until mid-April. Expect short-term spikes followed by stabilization as seasonal shifts settle.

Grain

Markets were subdued ahead of the USDA’s key planting and stock reports. Soybean oil bucked the trend, rising on strong export sales and renewed optimism around biofuel tax credit talks. Despite potentially bearish supply data, SBO futures may remain supported by policy developments and demand fundamentals.

Dairy

Retail promotions and export activity pushed dairy prices higher last week. Butter rose $0.07 to $2.37/lb, while cheese blocks and barrels climbed to $1.65 and $1.64/lb, respectively. Foodservice demand remains soft, but retail demand is steady. Milk production is trending up, helping stabilize supply.

Beef

Beef stayed strong with the April cattle contract holding at a record $209.25/cwt. Choice cutout values rose 3% to $335.72/cwt, with premium cuts like ribeyes and tenderloins up 4–11%. Ground beef jumped 4% to $2.83/lb, with strong out-front sales indicating more increases to come. As grilling season nears, high demand and tight supply are expected to keep prices elevated.

Pork

Pork cutout dropped 2% to $94.84/cwt amid lower production and rising tariff concerns. While butts and ribs showed some strength, the ham and belly primals declined, with bellies down 1% to $135.29/cwt. Export volume dropped sharply from the prior week. Continued uncertainty around international trade is expected to keep the pork market volatile with potential price benefits for U.S. consumers.

Seafood

Shrimp and prawn prices held steady at $3.84/lb in January, marking the tail end of a recovery phase. The seasonal trend typically softens through mid-year, so expect a gradual decline in prices over the next several months—unless markets defy history and stay flat for another month.

Poultry

Chicken harvest dipped 0.5% w/w but remained up 3.7% y/y. Breast prices surged again, up $0.12 to $2.30/lb, with boneless thigh meat also up $0.08 to $1.68/lb. Wings continued their sharp decline, down $0.08 to $1.44/lb. Egg prices dropped another 23% w/w as imports from Turkey and South Korea boost supply. Looking ahead, possible retaliatory tariffs could further increase domestic availability and push chicken prices lower.