Alerts & What’s Trending
Produce
Roma tomatoes surprised with another 16.5% jump to $14/carton. Avocados continued their steady decline, while lettuce held stable. Expect romas to level off again soon.
Grain
Corn prices rebounded mid-week after strong export numbers despite downward pressure from rapid planting and acreage expectations. Export sales are unusually strong for this late in the marketing year.
Dairy
Cheese and butter prices nudged higher. CME blocks rose 3% to $1.90/lb and barrels hit $1.82/lb. Butter demand remains stable, and inventories are seasonally strong.
Beef
Cattle futures dipped, but boxed beef cutouts climbed. Choice beef rose to $349.90/cwt, with strong demand for end cuts and ground beef. 50% trim surged 7% to $1.19/lb, while 90% lean trim reached $3.80/lb. Reduced harvests are tightening supplies and putting upward pressure on prices.
Pork
A robust week for pork with strength across primals. Loin primal rose 6%, pork butts surged 11%, and ribs climbed 11%. Belly prices ticked up while trims softened. Demand for pork is strong, and tariff fears have temporarily eased.
Poultry
Wholesale chicken prices rose last week, driven by gains in tenderloins and boneless thigh meat, though wings fell further. USDA harvest volume was flat y/y. Boneless breasts edged up to $2.76/lb, and tenderloins climbed to $2.33/lb. Thigh meat gained $0.06 to reach $2.37/lb. Wing prices dropped to $1.17/lb. Turkey prices climbed due to a 13% y/y dip in supply, while large egg prices remained stable. Chicken remains a strong value protein heading into summer.
Seafood
Tilapia jumped nearly 8% m/m to around $2/lb. Prices usually peak in spring and decline into fall—so softening could be coming soon, barring another counter-seasonal spike like 2023.
