Beef
Packers continue to lose a significant amount of money due to the historically high live market, and softening cutout. Look for packers to adjust lower kills going forward into March.
February 20, 2026
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Market Headlines
Poultry
There is good availability on the front half of the bird while the back half is tight. Tender demand is steady. Wings remain the best value in chicken as prices stay low. Breasts of all sizes are showing availability. Thigh and leg meat demand is strong.
Pork
Bellies are trading in wide price & are volatile. Trim has tight supply dynamics but is leveling out. Loins have moderate retail interest with steady demand. Butts are leveling off from declines as retail interest is up. Spares remain tight in supply, while others are steady, but demand is up and markets are highly inflationary.
Beef
Live cattle continue to make record increases. Cattle traded higher again last week. Conversely, the cutout has softened. Expect packers to curtail harvest level starting this week to try and reign in the live market. Cattle remain heavy and are grading 87% choice. Thin meats are likely to stay in short supply through March.
Dairy
Shell eggs are down. California – Shell eggs are down. The Cheese Block market is down. The Butter market is up. Cream remains readily available.
Grains / Oil
The WASDE report from last week did not have any real surprises in it as most of the soybean complex was left mostly unchanged. The market is moving higher because of RVO expectations and increased demand.
Seafood
Seafood markets remain firm across key categories as seasonal harvests, regulatory enforcement, and global tariffs continue to shape supply and pricing. Shrimp, crab, lobster, and scallops are experiencing tight availability. Cod, haddock, and pangasius are under pressure. Lakefish conditions are mixed.
To learn more contact your local Sales Consultant. Market Corner Produce information reflects both U.S. and Canadian markets. All other commodity information is based on U.S. market data only.
Produce Market Updates
Vegetables
Asparagus
With Peru finalizing harvest, Mexico volume has not improved sufficiently to cover needs. Expected cooler weather could further hamper production for the next 10-12 days. For now, markets are about steady. Quality is good.
Bell Peppers
East – Supplies remain short due to freeze, quality fair to good, demand strong, and the market increasing. Red and yellow pepper tight, quality fair to good, demand strong and market increasing. West – Steady volume with improvement next week, market higher on strong demand.
Broccoli
Market is a bit softer, but we expect to see the market up and down with shorter supplies expected for through February. quality is fair to good.
Cauliflower
Market is escalated and remains active as supplies are lower and expected to be the next several weeks. Quality is reported as fair to good.
Celery
The market remains elevated as limited supplies and strong demand continue. Weather issues impacted yields. Quality is fair to good.
Cilantro/Parsley
Market on parsley mostly steady and cilantro market is softer. Quality reported as good on both parsley and cilantro.
Green Beans
The market is rising as weather is slowing sizing and growth, keeping supplies limited. Quality is fair to good.
Lettuce Iceberg
Market is a bit softer, but we expect to see the market active as production is expected to be up and down week to week well into March. Quality is fair to good.
Lettuce Romaine
Market is steady on romaine and hearts as production is keeping up with current demand on both romaine and hearts. Quality is fair to good.
Onions
Yellow & red supplies are good. Quality is good. The outlook is for good availability all season. Prices remain steady on all three colors. White availability is limited to steady business in the Northwest.
Potatoes – Russets
Supplies remain good on all sizes across the board. Sizing is still running to the large side . The outlook is for good availability all season. Quality is good. Prices are mostly steady in Idaho. Washington pricing has declined this week.
Squash
East – Supplies tight, quality good, demand strong and the market is increasing on both green and yellow. West – limited volume for the next two weeks as eastern pressure has strained Nogales supply. Expecting stronger markets to maintain. Quality good to fair.
Sweet Baby Broccoli
The market is rising as weather is slowing sizing and growth, keeping supplies limited. Quality is fair to good.
Tomatoes
Florida supplies are light as growers harvest the remaining post freeze fruit. Overall quality is fairly good, fruit is taking longer to ripen, and a higher percentage of off-grades are being culled. Mexican demand has picked up. Markets are active and volatile.
Fruit
Avocado
Mexico – Supplies good, quality good, demand good, and the market is steady. Size curve leaning to 48’s and larger, good supplies of #2 fruit. California – expected to begin harvesting in a couple of weeks.
Citrus
Lemons- Supplies, quality and demand is good, with the market steady. District 3 will be wrapping up the end of this month. District 1 will be the main source until the end of March/April. Peaking 140/165/115. Smaller fruit will start to get tight. Oranges- Supplies tight, quality good, demand strong, market is steady to higher. Crop peaking on 56/72/48. Alert small fruit very tight 88s-138s. 72-hours lead time required. Suppliers are subbing 113s for 138s and 88s for 113s. Limes- Supplies limited, quality fair to good, demand strong and the market increasing. Due to weather the last several weeks, quality issues continue – skin breakdown, and some oil spotting. Shippers are regrading/running fruit prior to shipment to mitigate quality issues.
Grapes
Great quality all varieties and supplies look to stay strong for the next month.
Strawberries
Demand has slowed after Valentine’s Day. Volume overall is very good. Florida volume has returned to normal. Mexico still has good availability. California has had off and on rain and will be for the next week. Mexico has been backfilling to help. Once this clears, they will come back strong. Market is lower.
