Beef
New World Screwworm comes to the surface once again. U.S. imports of Mexican feeder cattle are down by 453,000 head. This decline has compounded the reduction in U.S. cattle production and heifer retention.
May 16, 2025
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Market Headlines
Poultry
We are seeing better availability across the industry. Breasts of all sizes are starting to steady out. Tenders demand has increased due to breast prices. Wings are readily available and the best value in chicken. Thigh and leg meat has been seeing heavy demand and tight supplies.
Pork
Hams are steady and export interest remain strong. Bellies softened from their unseasonal climb. Trim is strong with both 42’s & 72’s are steady supply. Ribs are steady supply with Back ribs continuing to strengthen while the other cuts remain flat. Loins are now steady. Butts are slightly up.
Beef
Packers are being forced to balance higher cattle prices with reduced harvest levels. The concern becomes, how high is too high and when will consumers move away from beef? With Memorial Day and grilling season ahead, packers hope to “lift” pricing on middles. End cuts remain limited. Grinds are higher.
Dairy
Shell egg markets are up and California eggs are down except for Mediums which are flat. The Block & Barrel are up. YTD U.S. cheese production is up 19 mil. lbs. while exports are up 24 mil. lbs. Butter is up.
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
East – Coast market is lower as volume improves out of Peru and local supply steadies the market.
West – Coast is limited but meeting demand with a steady market. Quality from all areas is good.
Bell Peppers
East – Green supplies good, quality good, demand strong, and market increasing. Red & Yellow supplies tight, quality good, demand good, market steady to higher.
West – Desert production underway, quality expected to improve as more volume and regional shift steadies. Market is higher, demand is strong.
Broccoli
Market has settled a bit lower as production has improved, supplies look ok into next week and should keep up with demand. Quality is good.
Brussel Sprouts
The market high and continues be very active; total industry supplies are well below normal due to quality issues impacting yields. Quality is reported as fair.
Cauliflower
Market is mostly steady with good supplies and steady demand. Quality is good.
Celery
Market is mostly steady with good supplies and steady demand. Quality is reported as good to very good.
Cilantro/ Parsley
Market on Cilantro is steady, and parsley is down slightly with moderate to good demand. Quality reported as good on both.
Green Beans
East – Supplies good, quality good, demand fair to good, and the market steady to slightly lower.
West – Limited volume with transition underway. Will not see significant improvement in supply for at least 10 days.
Lettuce Iceberg
Market steady as Salinas is starting to getting into better volume and normal weights. Quality is reported as good.
Lettuce Romaine
Market is mainly steady with good supplies in Salinas on moderate demand. Heart market is steady, and quality is fair to good for both.
Onions
Supplies are good. California and Texas have good availability of new crop. Washington will have some suppliers packing thru May while others have finished. Prices are steady in all areas with no quality concerns.
Potatoes – Russets
Supplies and quality remain good. Sizing is spread across all sizes making for consistent pricing from large to small. Quality is good. Prices are steady.
Squash
East – Supplies plentiful on both yellow and zucchini, quality excellent, demand fair to good, and market steady.
West – Strong supplies out of Mexico with California set to scratch next week. Quality is good, Demand is steady. Market slightly higher.
Tomatoes
Round markets continue to increase out east due to reduced availability out of the central Florida growing region. Out
West; grape, cherry, and Roma markets remain unchanged vs previous week. Expect rounds to continue to escalate until the transition is complete to North FL.
Fruit
Avocado
Mexico – Heading into the middle of May avocados are plentiful on most sizes. 32s-36s in limited supply, while 40s-70s are plentiful. 40s–48s market steady, with 60s-70s market weak. California – continues to harvest strong volume. 32s/36s limited supplies. There is plenty of 40s and smaller.
Citrus
Lemons – Supplies steady, quality good, demand strong, and market is increasing. Small size lemons demand exceeds supply. Relief expected to arrive with imports in early July and the transition to district 2. Suppliers holding to 10-week avg.
Oranges – Supplies good, quality good, demand strong, and market is increasing. Suppliers will transition from Navels to Valencia’s over the next 2 weeks. The beginning will bring in small fruit. Suppliers will be holding to 10-week averages.
Limes – Very limited supply on 110’s/150’s, May rain will help fruit gain size and stabilize market with volume and pricing, overall quality excellent on 200/230’s.
Grapes
The market for both red and green is active and remains elevated. Quality ranges based on product from South America (not as good) vs new product from Mexico or California.
Pineapple
Supplies are tight, quality is good, demand is strong, and the market is steady. The industry is still dealing with vessel congestion at the Panama Canal and container inventory is still running low.
