September 9, 2025 Market Report

Alerts & What’s Trending

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10 Data Points Every Foodservice Operator Should Be Tracking

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Produce

Avocados held firm at $30/carton, tomatoes fell for a second week, and iceberg lettuce eased but is projected higher into October.

Outlook: Short-term stability is expected across most items, though seasonal lettuce strength could pressure costs. Operators should monitor regional supply signals and align forecasting tools to manage menu costs proactively.

Grain

U.S. corn export sales hit a record seasonal high of 2.117MMT, pushing futures higher for a third straight week. Prices are nearing technical resistance at $4.30/bu.

Outlook: Without fresh bullish drivers, momentum may plateau. Procurement teams should leverage forecasting tools to evaluate forward coverage strategies before volatility returns.

Dairy

CME cheese blocks fell to $1.73/lb and barrels to $1.74/lb, while butter declined to $2.01/lb. Inventories remain ample, though foodservice demand lags last year.

Outlook: Cheese prices are likely to remain subdued under steady production. Butter demand is being supported by international buyers, keeping global markets firm. InsideTrack users should track contract compliance and spot variances closely to protect margins.

Beef

Live cattle futures eased 1% to $236.95/cwt, while the choice and select cutouts held steady (choice at $414.21/cwt, select at $387.77/cwt). Ribs strengthened—boneless HVY ribeye at $14.76/lb—while rounds weakened and ground beef dropped to $3.90/lb.

Outlook: Seasonal weakness is expected in cutouts through September, but ribs and tenderloins will retain strength heading into holiday demand. Harvest pace may slow again to manage cash cattle costs, keeping upward pressure on high-end cuts. Data visibility into trim and ground beef will be key for operators navigating menu pricing.

Pork

Pork cutout values advanced 2% to $113.32/cwt, driven by gains in hams (+4%) and butts (+2%). Loins posted modest increases while ribs and bellies softened. Trim markets were mixed but trended firmer overall.

Outlook: Lean hog cash prices continue to trend lower, which may drag cutout values in the near term. International demand will remain a key driver for hams and butts. Analytics around primal utilization will help operators optimize purchasing strategies as volatility persists.

Seafood

Tilapia prices collapsed to $1.52/lb, a 4.5-year low, following surging imports. This erased all 2024 gains in just three months.

Outlook: A modest rebound toward $1.60–$1.70/lb is possible, but structural pressure across imports suggests limited recovery. Operators should leverage price verification and volume visibility tools to capitalize on current lows.

Poultry

Harvest volumes rose 1.6% week-over-week to 173.4M head. The white meat complex was sharply lower with boneless/skinless breasts at $1.97/lb (down $0.06) and tenderloins at $2.42/lb (down $0.11). Wings held flat at $1.73/lb, while large shell eggs remain nearly 40% lower year-over-year.

Outlook: Increased harvest volumes and end-of-summer retail promotions are expected to support near-term demand, but tariff-related uncertainty adds volatility risk. With beef at record highs, substitution demand for poultry is likely to grow—operators should monitor tender and breast pricing closely for optimal contracting.