Freshly Picked, September 30, 2025

Freshly Picked Insights

• Tired Menus Cost You More Than You Think — Here’s How to Fix It
• The Hidden Costs Draining Your Profits (and How to Take Control)
• How InsideTrack Puts Data and Control Back in Your Hands

Produce

Produce markets remain stable as harvest conditions improve across key growing regions. Roma tomatoes corrected lower after last week’s surge, and iceberg lettuce dipped slightly but appears to be leveling out. No major disruptions are impacting supply.

Outlook: Pricing should stay steady through October before trending upward into November. Operators planning fall menu rollouts may benefit from locking in stable produce costs now.

Grains

Grain markets traded mostly lower despite strong export performance. Corn exports reached 1.923 million metric tons for the week — a record seasonal pace — while wheat found light support from firmer global prices.

Outlook: Abundant supply continues to cap upward movement, keeping feed costs in check. Operators should anticipate potential savings on proteins later this fall if these trends persist.

Dairy

The dairy complex was mixed. Cheese blocks fell $0.04 to $1.64/lb, while butter prices slipped again, now also at $1.64/lb. Butter producers are increasing output ahead of the holiday season, ensuring supply remains available even as demand rises.

Outlook: Expect stable to slightly lower dairy prices in the near term. Now is a good time to manage contracts strategically for high-volume ingredients ahead of the busy Q4 period.

Beef

Beef prices showed mixed movement, with choice down 4% to $371.97/cwt and select off 2%. Premium middle meats like ribeyes and striploins held firm, while end cuts weakened, signaling reduced grind demand. Ground beef 81% slipped to $3.48/lb, but 90% trim held at $4.35/lb.

Outlook: Expect further declines in chuck and round cuts through early fall, while high-end items stabilize ahead of year-end holiday buying. Strategic purchasing across menu segments will help offset volatility in premium proteins.

Pork

The pork cutout eased 1% to $110.99/cwt, driven by softer loin and tenderloin prices. Boneless loins dropped to $1.33/lb, while tenderloins slid to $1.75/lb. Butts saw minor support from export demand, and bellies and ribs remained steady.

Outlook: Expect continued mixed conditions. While export demand supports pricing, slowing domestic consumption may create short-term buying windows — particularly on loins and tenderloins.

Poultry

Chicken production climbed 8.2% week-over-week to 174.4 million head, driving prices sharply lower across white meat cuts. Boneless/skinless breasts dropped $0.23 to $1.42/lb, while tenderloins slid $0.19 to $1.96/lb. Wings also fell $0.17 to $1.44/lb, though drumsticks gained modestly. Meanwhile, turkey markets remain notably inflated, with boneless breasts up 216% year-to-date.

Outlook: Elevated harvest levels and slower retail movement are keeping pressure on poultry pricing. Multi-unit operators should take advantage of lower breast and tenderloin prices now while monitoring for potential holiday volatility in turkey markets.

Seafood

After months of weakness, yellowfin tuna prices rebounded 7.6% month-over-month. Despite the recent lift, yellowfin remains down 34% year-to-date, while pollock continues trending lower. The bounce is seen as a correction within a still-soft market.

Outlook: Expect modest strengthening through Q4 as import volumes decline and seasonal buying picks up. Operators should review seafood contracts for opportunities to leverage current price floors before the typical January rebound.

Need Help Managing Market Volatility?

Consolidated Concepts offers custom contract support, commodity tracking, and supply chain solutions to help operators thrive—no matter the market conditions. Reach out to see how we can help your business stay ahead of pricing swings and supply uncertainty.