August 19, 2025 Market Report

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Produce

Markets stabilized after recent swings, with lettuce and roma tomatoes holding steady while romas are expected to rise this fall and potatoes staying quiet after the pre-harvest rally ended earlier than expected. Supply disruptions in the West continue to create localized pressure.

Outlook: Seasonal produce volatility is approaching, particularly in September and October. InsideTrack provides operators with real-time produce pricing across regions, giving them data-driven insights to switch specs, optimize sourcing, and protect margins when prices climb.

Grain

Corn markets turned bearish after USDA raised yield projections sharply and increased acreage, creating a heavy supply outlook, while soybeans moved bullish on tighter projected balance sheets. These shifts are driving volatility across feed, ethanol, and edible oil markets.

Outlook: Ample corn supply should limit feed and ingredient costs, while soy-driven volatility could impact frying and cooking oil programs. InsideTrack’s spend analytics allow operators to model these shifts against their own usage data and make smarter forward-purchasing decisions.

Dairy

Cheese prices were mixed, with blocks lower and barrels slightly higher, while butter saw the largest decline, pressured by softer foodservice demand and loosening cream supplies. Milk production remains seasonally light, limiting cheese plant utilization in some regions.

Outlook: Retail demand is expected to stabilize cheese, but butter values may remain weaker until holiday demand kicks in. InsideTrack visibility allows operators to monitor spot price movements, identify regional opportunities, and capture cost-saving contracts across dairy categories.

Beef

Cattle futures dropped sharply, but boxed beef cutouts rose as holiday demand picked up, led by premium cuts like tenderloins and ribeyes alongside steady gains in end cuts such as chucks and rounds. Trim and ground beef markets were mixed, reflecting shifting buying patterns across retail and foodservice.

Outlook: Expect counter-seasonal strength in ribs and tenderloins through the holidays. InsideTrack analytics help operators model these seasonal patterns, compare distributor pricing, and lock in savings opportunities before costs escalate across multiple SKUs.

Pork

Pork trade was mixed, with strong butt and rib demand buoyed by international sales, while loins and hams softened and tenderloins posted modest gains. Trims were steady to slightly lower, signaling some balance in the primal complex.

Outlook: Tariffs and global sales volatility are likely to weigh on the market in the near term. InsideTrack’s contract compliance and price verification tools help operators ensure they’re not overpaying and allow them to spot purchasing opportunities across primals when values diverge.

Seafood

Fresh Atlantic salmon prices hit a four-year low, falling nearly 20% in three months as imports remained elevated, driving the downturn steeper than anticipated. Operators who rely heavily on salmon menus are seeing the most immediate relief in food costs.

Outlook: Salmon prices may not stabilize until October–November, but the current low levels present an opportunity for forward buying. InsideTrack enables operators to benchmark distributor pricing against the market and secure savings before seasonal shifts return.

Poultry

Harvest volumes are holding steady, with whole birds softening and boneless/skinless breasts inching higher while wings continue their rebound month-over-month, though still well below last year’s highs. Eggs are trending lower year-over-year, pointing to softer consumer demand.

Outlook: Tariff-related challenges may pressure export sales, creating further price softness. InsideTrack users can leverage real-time market visibility to track shifts in export demand, benchmark distributor pricing, and identify the best timing to adjust menu specs or renegotiate contracts.