September 2, 2025 Market Report

Alerts & What’s Trending

Inefficiency Is Costing Restaurants More Than They Realize

Even Small Pricing Errors Can Add Up to Thousands in Lost Profit

Even Small Pricing Errors Can Add Up to Thousands in Lost Profit

 

Produce

Iceberg lettuce nearly doubled in four weeks on constrained Western yields, while tomatoes softened but are poised for seasonal firming. Avocados stabilized near $30/carton during Mexico’s crop transition.

Outlook: Lettuce pricing is unlikely to normalize until late December, putting sustained cost pressure on menu items. Data monitoring allows operators to pivot to alternative SKUs or renegotiate supplier programs ahead of extended volatility.

Grain

Spring wheat saw midweek volatility but recovered by week’s end. Soybean oil retraced recent gains, now testing its 100-day moving average again.

Outlook: Historical data shows SBO typically rebounds from these levels, creating potential cost risk. Operators should leverage InsideTrack’s benchmarking tools to identify timing opportunities for coverage.

Dairy

Cheese markets were steady at $1.78/lb, while butter fell to $2.08/lb, extending its monthly decline. Export demand remains solid, keeping U.S. cheese competitive.

Outlook: Butter prices are still elevated relative to five-year averages, but holiday retail demand could redirect production away from bulk supply. Real-time price verification will be critical to ensure contract compliance.

Beef

Choice cutout climbed to $414.41/cwt, with tenderloins and ribs driving strength. Ground beef (81%) advanced to $4.16/lb, while 50% trim eased to $1.60/lb.

Outlook: Post-Labor Day, cutout values are expected to soften, but reduced harvest levels may cushion the decline. Counter-seasonal demand for premium cuts will persist into Q4, signaling operators should monitor category-level performance closely to adjust purchasing strategies.

Pork

Cutout values slipped to $111.49/cwt. Butts and ribs strengthened, supported by exports, while loins and bellies weakened. Trim values were also lower.

Outlook: Lean hog cash values continue to trend downward. Near-term volatility, coupled with tariff uncertainty, signals potential pressure in October. Operators should align purchasing with InsideTrack’s predictive analytics to avoid margin erosion in high-volume pork categories.

Seafood

Pollock extended its decline, now down 23% y/y and 21% YTD. Import volumes hit a 31-year seasonal low, suggesting a near-term price rebound.

Outlook: The rebound window will likely be short, fading by November. Operators dependent on pollock should plan purchasing accordingly to optimize coverage during the temporary rally.

Poultry

Harvest volumes reached 170.6M head, down 1% w/w but nearly 2% above last year. Whole birds stayed flat at $1.19/lb. Boneless/skinless breasts firmed to $2.03/lb (+7% m/m), while tenderloins slid to $2.52/lb. Wings held at $1.73/lb, down 25% y/y, while eggs remain soft, nearly 30% below last year.

Outlook: The seasonal downturn is moderating, and retail promotions will build momentum into October. However, new tariff headwinds could depress export demand, increasing downside risk. Operators should use real-time tracking to manage exposure as markets shift.