February 10, 2026 Market Report

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Produce

Produce pricing volatility intensified last week. Iceberg lettuce prices surged into the $40–$50 per carton range due to harvest, yield, and shelf-life challenges. Tomato prices remained elevated amid ongoing cold-weather disruptions, while avocados declined unexpectedly, with 48-count Hass prices down 9.2% week over week.

Outlook: Lettuce pricing is expected to remain elevated and volatile, increasing the risk of invoice discrepancies across locations. Tomato pricing should begin easing as weather improves, while avocados may remain relatively stable, offering a predictable category for purchasing and forecasting.

Grain

Grain markets posted gains, led by soybeans amid trade-related optimism. Potential export demand includes up to 8 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans to China, in addition to 12 million metric tons previously committed. Soybean oil prices responded positively, lifting the broader complex.

Outlook: If export demand is confirmed, soybeans could stabilize in the $10.80–$11.00 per bushel range. Operators should monitor commodity-driven cost impacts across protein and bakery categories to anticipate pricing adjustments.

Dairy

Dairy markets were mixed. CME cheese blocks rose $0.09 to $1.47/lb, while barrels increased $0.03 to $1.44/lb. Butter prices surged $0.22 to $1.71/lb, though they remain $0.79/lb below the five-year average. Severe winter weather disrupted production and transportation, creating short-term variability in spot markets.

Outlook: Cheese pricing is expected to remain supported, while butter markets may see continued short-term volatility. Monitoring price accuracy and distributor performance will be key as weather-related disruptions work through the system.

Beef

Beef markets remained mixed, with the February live cattle contract holding at $235.50/cwt. Boxed beef values softened modestly, with the Choice cutout at $367.25/cwt, while premium loin and rib cuts showed continued strength. Boneless heavy ribeyes rose to $10.57/lb, reflecting firm pricing in higher-value cuts amid sharply lower harvest volumes.

Outlook: Despite typical seasonal demand softness, reduced harvest levels and forward sales—including 2.2 million pounds of Choice shortloins—are expected to keep pricing firm, particularly in the loin segment. Accurate visibility into cut-level pricing and utilization will be critical to managing beef cost exposure.

Pork

Pork markets trended higher, with the carcass cutout rising 2% to $95.27/cwt as harvest volumes declined. Strength was concentrated in butts and bellies, with the butt primal up 4% to $114.88/cwt. Export activity remained steady, with 157 loads of boneless pork butts sold internationally, helping absorb supply.

Outlook: Pork pricing is expected to trend steady to slightly firmer. Operators should focus on tracking primal-level movement and ensuring price accuracy across distributors as supply tightens and freezer inventories rebuild.

Seafood

Frozen snow crab prices continued their rally, increasing 15.9% month over month to a three-year high of $10.69/lb, following a 7.1% increase the prior month. The sustained upward trend reflects tightening supply during the seasonal offseason.

Outlook: Snow crab pricing is expected to remain elevated into early 2026. Operators should validate pricing at the item and invoice level and evaluate menu performance for high-cost seafood items to mitigate margin risk.

Poultry

Poultry pricing moved higher last week as USDA young chicken harvest declined to 167.3 million head, down 3.3% week over week following storm disruptions in the Southeast. White meat prices continued to climb, with boneless/skinless breasts rising to $1.38/lb, now up 18% month over month. Wings increased to $1.18/lb, up 19% m/m, though still 39% lower year over year, making them a key category to monitor for contract compliance and invoice accuracy.

Outlook: With harvest volumes constrained, poultry markets are expected to trend steady to slightly higher. Operators should closely monitor invoice pricing on high-volume poultry SKUs, particularly wings and white meat, to ensure contracted rates are being honored as market prices fluctuate.