Foodservice Operator Support Center
Our Support Center has everything Operators need to remain connected. Weekly Commodity Reports, Supply Chain Hot Takes, and Produce Alerts – ready to review!
Commodities Snapshot Report
For the week of September 28, 2026
Quickly review the latest weekly snapshot on all major commodities!
And for a deeper dive, scroll to the CommodityONE Reports below.
There’s no commodity update this week, but we’ll be back next week with fresh insights to keep your operation one step ahead!
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Grains
Grains had a broadly weaker week, with soybean meal standing out as the only major contract to finish higher week over week. Wheat led the decline after renewed discussions around reopening Black Sea trade routes reduced some of the recent supply-risk premium. December Chicago wheat broke below key technical support near $7, and the market has yet to see a meaningful lift in U.S. export demand tied to Black Sea disruption concerns. That lack of export follow-through has limited the case for a sustained rebound.
Outlook: Grain markets, especially wheat, may stabilize if geopolitical uncertainty resurfaces, but near-term upside appears limited without stronger export demand.
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Beef
Beef production tightened sharply last week, falling 8.4% from the previous week and 12.5% below last year, as cattle slaughter slowed following operational disruptions in Kansas. Boxed beef values were mixed, but both USDA Choice and Select cutouts moved higher and are now roughly in line with year-ago levels. On the supply side, the September 1 cattle-on-feed inventory was 0.8% above last year, but August placements were down 9.2%, marking the smallest August placement figure in at least three decades. Imports from Mexico have resumed, and volumes could recover to 40% of normal by the end of October, offering some relief.
Outlook: Beef availability may improve modestly later in the quarter, but supplies are still expected to remain tighter than last year, keeping markets relatively supported.
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Dairy
Dairy markets were mostly higher last week, though cheese blocks were the exception, dropping to their lowest level in more than nine months. Nonfat dry milk moved the other way, climbing to its highest level since late May, while butter remains supported by strong domestic and export demand. Milk production in August was strong, up 1.7% from last year and a record for the month, with the milk cow herd also 1.7% larger year over year and the largest in more than 30 years. Even so, milk per cow was flat versus 2025, suggesting productivity growth may be slowing as feed costs rise.
Outlook: Dairy supplies remain ample, but stronger butter and powder demand, combined with limited downside in cheese, should keep the complex mostly steady to firm.
Click Show More to view Poultry, Pork and Seafood.
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Poultry
Chicken markets were mostly steady last week, but supply trends are worth watching. Young bird slaughter improved 2.5% week over week, though it remained 1% below last year, and chicken production for the week ending September 19 was 6% lower year over year. Even with recent slowing, year-to-date chicken output is still running 1.6% above 2025. The standout mover was boneless skinless thighs, up more than 3%, while breasts, tenders, and wings held relatively firm. Producer margins remain pressured by low chicken prices and rising feed costs, which appears to be slowing output growth.
Outlook: Seasonal softening is still possible, but tighter production trends should help keep downside limited, especially for breasts, tenders, and wings.
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Pork
Pork production improved 3% week over week and was 0.1% above last year, though year-to-date output is still 0.1% below the prior year. Pricing was weaker overall, with the USDA pork cutout falling to its lowest level in more than two years. Picnics, ribs, loins, and butts all declined, while bellies and hams were firmer; notably, bellies are on track for their lowest September average in seven years. The latest Hogs and Pigs Report confirmed tighter supply fundamentals, with the total herd down 1.5% year over year, the breeding herd also down 1.5%, and summer sow farrowings down 2.7%.
Outlook: While pork pricing has softened near term, reduced herd size and limited fall production should help prevent a major further slide.
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Seafood
Seafood pricing was mostly steady, but frozen cod filet posted a notable correction in the latest data, falling 5.3% month over month in July and ending a four-month winning streak. Even with that pullback, cod had still surged nearly 52% over those four months, reaching record highs along the way. Supply remains the main issue, as import volumes have been running below normal since last September. While the recent decline may reflect some demand resistance in the U.S. market, pricing is still elevated versus normal seasonal levels.
Outlook: Cod prices may ease a bit further near term, but constrained import supply should keep seafood costs elevated into early 2027.
Past Reports
Menu Makers is a weekly tip series with the hottest and
most trendy menu items.
Click the play button on the left to watch the latest video,
or click the thumbnails below to review archived uploads.
Past Videos
Weekly Produce Reports
Weekly reports for all regions. Current conditions, market trends, historic projections, insider alerts – and all at your fingertips!
October 1, 2026 – Tomato production continues to fluctuate in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia due to a combination of weather-related pressure and the season starting to wind down, resulting in upward pressure on the markets this week. Snacking Tomatoes remain the tightest over the coming weeks …
Past Reports
Weekly Commodity Reports
Detailed Commodity Reports and video Hot Takes from ArrowStream, for those in need of more in-depth reporting.
CommodityONE Market Report
In search of more detailed insight? Look no further than ArrowStream’s multi-page weekly CommodityONE Report.
Complete and submit the following form to receive your full report.
CommodityONE Hot Takes
Paul Savage, Director of Commodities at ArrowStream, presents the latest CommodityONE Hot Takes.
Click the play button to watch the latest video,
or click the thumbnails below to review archived uploads.
Past CommodityONE Updates
Step inside the foodservice world with Grounded, where we sit down with industry leaders to explore their personal journeys, business challenges, and big-picture perspectives from sourcing to service.
Hit play to watch the latest episode, or browse past conversations using the thumbnails below.
Foodservice Operator News
Check out insights and tips produced by experts from the Buyers Edge Platform family of brands.
- All
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- Fresh Solutions / Fresh Division
- Supply Chain
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The Latest Facts & Figures
Live, interactive charts from industry experts
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Consumer Price Index
Track the 12-month percentage changes of various goods and services.
Price Data
Track the price changes of key indicators including meat, produce and dairy.
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