December 16, 2025 Market Report

Alerts & What’s Trending

Stop Guessing and Start Buying with Confidence

Food Waste Isn’t A Kitchen Problem. It’s A Data Problem.

Smaller Plates, Bigger Signals

 

Produce

Roma tomato prices fell sharply last week, reaching an eight-week low after peaking in late November. Lettuce pricing continued its steady, predictable decline, providing more cost stability for operators after earlier seasonal spikes.

Outlook: As prices settle, it becomes easier to identify delayed price decreases and invoice discrepancies.

Grain

Grain markets were quiet last week, with soybean prices softening as export demand failed to meet expectations. Futures pulled back as traders reassessed near-term demand following recent trade activity.

Outlook: Lower grain prices may reduce cost pressure, but timing differences should be monitored closely.

Dairy

Dairy markets were mixed, with cheese and fluid milk prices edging lower while butter moved slightly higher. Retail butter demand remains strong as consumers take advantage of lower prices, and foodservice demand is steady. Production schedules have normalized following holiday disruptions.

Outlook: A balanced market supports better forecasting and tighter price monitoring.

Beef

Cattle futures moved sharply higher last week, but boxed beef prices declined as higher harvest levels added supply to the market. Premium cuts were mixed, while end cuts like chucks and rounds showed steadier movement. Ground beef remained flat to slightly lower, supporting value-driven menu items.

Outlook: With boxed beef expected to remain range-bound, operators can shift focus from market swings to tracking pricing consistency across locations.

Pork

Pork markets strengthened across all primals, driven by strong export demand and seasonal inventory building. Hams posted the largest gains as early Easter production ramps up, while bellies, ribs, and butts also moved higher. Trim prices were mixed.

Outlook: Continued strength increases the need to closely monitor the timing and validity of price increases against market movement.

Seafood

Frozen snow crab prices continued to decline based on newly released import data, moving further away from early-2025 highs. After a volatile year, pricing is gradually returning to more typical seasonal patterns.

Outlook: More predictable pricing improves benchmark accuracy for price verification.

Poultry

Poultry markets were mostly steady last week, supported by strong production and improving supply conditions. Most chicken cuts remain significantly lower year over year, particularly wings and breast meat, helping ease food cost pressure compared to earlier in 2025. Dark meat prices showed modest strength, while eggs declined week over week as flock recovery continues following late-2024 HPAI disruptions.

Outlook: Prices are expected to stay relatively stable through December, making this a strong window for monitoring price accuracy and consistency as volatility fades.