November 11, 2025
This week’s insights on key commodities and market shifts—powered by CommodityONE, exclusively for Dining Alliance members.
Poultry
Summary: Chicken harvests climbed again last week, with the USDA reporting 172.7 million head processed — up 3% from last year. That steady supply kept the overall market soft. Boneless/skinless breasts nudged up to $1.14/lb, while tenderloins held flat at $1.40/lb. Wings slid slightly to $1.06/lb, and dark meat prices were mixed, with boneless thighs down $0.10 to $1.27/lb. Turkey prices were steady, though still well above last year, while large eggs jumped 14% week-over-week.
Outlook: With strong production and softer retail demand, poultry prices could stay below seasonal averages through the rest of November. Reduced consumer spending from SNAP benefit cuts may further slow demand, giving operators a little extra breathing room on protein costs.
Beef
Cattle and beef markets moved lower across most categories last week. The DEC cattle contract dropped 5%, and key primals like ribs and tenderloins followed suit — bone-in export ribs fell to $12.58/lb and tenderloins eased to $19.50/lb. Loin cuts were mixed, with shortloins and sirloins showing small gains, while end cuts like chucks and rounds softened across the board. Ground beef held steady at $3.62/lb, with trim showing modest strength as 50% fat trimmings rose $0.10 to $1.83/lb.
Outlook: Seasonal demand is starting to cool, and with the cattle market easing, beef prices may trend lower through the month. Operators should expect continued pressure on high-end cuts like tenderloin, while more economical items may stay steady or dip further as consumer budgets tighten.
Pork
Hog and pork prices continued to soften, with the pork cutout down 3% to $97.18/cwt. Loins, hams, and ribs all weakened, while bellies — the bacon driver — fell sharply by 9% to $140.08/cwt. Tenderloins slipped to $1.79/lb, and rib prices dropped to $1.68/lb. Butts were mixed, with bone-in slightly higher while boneless pulled back. Trim prices saw minor lifts, but overall pork movement was sluggish, and export volumes were lower than expected.
Outlook: With limited global demand and a soft domestic market, pork prices could drift lower in the short term. Operators might see better value opportunities on bellies and loins as we move deeper into November, especially if holiday buying fails to pick up.
Seafood
Frozen haddock remained one of the few steady seafood markets, holding at $3.95/lb. While prices have stayed elevated year-over-year, they’ve shown remarkable restraint just below the $4 mark. Import volumes are expected to increase heading into winter, helping balance supply. Despite strong seasonal demand, prices have plateaued rather than breaking new records.
Outlook: Haddock pricing is expected to move sideways through the remainder of 2025 before slowly trending lower in 2026. Operators shouldn’t anticipate any major price drops soon but can count on stable costs for this staple heading into the holidays.
Produce
After several weeks of steady increases, lettuce finally cooled off. Iceberg prices dropped 21% week-over-week, landing back near $40/carton after racing past $50 just a week prior. Other lettuce types held firm, while tomato markets also settled — large romas eased as overall tomato demand remained softer than usual for this time of year.
Outlook: Iceberg could stabilize or rebound slightly in the short term, but with the seasonal peak near, prices are likely to ease through late November. Tomato markets may remain steady-to-soft, offering some cost relief for operators heading into the winter months.
The Kitchen Sink
Dairy
The dairy complex saw widespread weakness last week. Butter dropped $0.14 to $1.47/lb, and both block and barrel cheese were down $0.11, landing near $1.70/lb. Strong milk production and high cream availability kept butter churns running at full pace, while cheese inventories remained comfortable. Domestic demand was steady but not enough to offset abundant supply.
Outlook: With production remaining strong and export demand only moderate, dairy prices may stay soft through the rest of the month. This could provide operators with more favorable pricing on cheese and butter as they gear up for holiday baking and menu specials.
Grains
Grain markets were volatile last week, swinging on mixed trade signals. Corn, soybeans, and both major winter wheat varieties finished lower. The optimism around a U.S.–China trade truce cooled as China made new soybean purchases from Brazil at lower prices, reinforcing competitive tension. Wheat markets dipped when expected Chinese U.S. purchases turned out to be smaller than rumored, while corn prices slid slightly on modest yield concerns.
Outlook: Expect continued choppiness in grain markets as global buyers chase the best value. Softer feed and input prices could help ease costs for poultry and livestock producers, which may trickle down to lower protein prices through the end of the year.
