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Historically cattle grading is the strongest as we move into the colder months. Last week’s prime came in at 12.77%, the highest since May and select was 11.64% lower since May.
Turkey supply remains very tight across the complex. Whole bird and Ready to Cook Turkey breasts are in high demand and are hard to find if you haven’t booked your holiday needs.
Cooler weather is helping to improve bird weights and it’s causing supply to improve around the country. Tenders have freed up in the open market. Wings are the best value in chicken as prices remain low. Breasts of all sizes are showing good availability. Availability of thigh and leg meat has also improved.
Pork markets have stabilized. Hams are trading at recent levels. Bellies are unsettled as fresh and frozen availability varies. Loins are steady with adequate supply and a slowly softening market. Butts have softened. Ribs remain steady but strong.
Inside rounds, chuck rolls, clods and bottom round flats were the focus for the packers over the past week and trying to get them in a better position moving forward. Middle and thin meats remain well sold and prices were steady to higher. Expectation is for the market to overall trend steady into the end of the month.
Jumbo and Extra-Large shell eggs are up, Large shell eggs are up, and Medium are up. California – Jumbo are up, Extra Large are up, Large shell eggs are up and Medium shell eggs are up. The Block market is up, and the Butter market is up. Cream remains readily available.
Price action for soybean oil showed mild volatility. Biodiesel demand is still the biggest market influence, but with crushers making meal, there is oil to support the demand. Canola seed values remained nearly unchanged for the week. Palm oil supply and demand are balanced.
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.
Eastern supply and quality are strong, Mexican supply is about steady, with improving quality, Markets are lower on both coasts with good volume expected for holiday pull.
Mexico has good supply, and quality, with steady to slightly higher markets with pressure on 60s and 70s. California is tight, but quality is excellent; demand is strong, and markets are steady. Larger sizes (32s/36s) remain limited, and the season has about five weeks left.
East – Green supplies steady, quality is good, demand is good, and the market is steady to higher; red and yellow supplies tight. quality fair to good, demand good, market higher. West – limited volume and frost in the east has west markets elevated. Colored peppers very short.
Market is mainly steady as supplies are in ok shape as we transition to the desert. Quality is fair to good.
Market is down a bit but still elevated, and supplies are expected to be light this week while quality continues to be fair.
Market is higher as supplies and quality are coming .under increasing pressure from quality issues. Yields are declining and is expected to continue to trend lower as we head into the holiday season.
Market on parsley is steady, and cilantro is a bit lower with better supplies. Quality reported as fair to good on both.
Market is active as we make the final transition to Yuma. Weights and yields continue to be low keeping supplies very short.
Market softer but remains very elevated. Quality and weather continues to impact yields on romaine with hearts extremely limited. Market to remain active through Thanksgiving.
Yellow, red and white supplies are good. Quality in Idaho and Washington is good. The outlook is for good availability all season. Demand is slightly better due to exports into Asia. Prices are slightly higher.
Supplies are good on all sizes across the board. Sizing is very large. The outlook is for good availability all season. Quality is good. Prices are steady.
Steady demand and markets higher as production is under budget the next two weeks due to early rains. Quality reported as fair for both.
East – Zucchini supplies steady, quality is good, demand is strong, market steady; yellow squash supplies steady, quality fair to good, demand good and market steady. West-Steady markets as volume increases. Demand is moderate. Quality is good.
Eastern round supply remains steady, harvest is mostly larger sizing, cool weather has slowed some harvest. Roma and grape availability has lightened up. Mexico continues to help supplies. Tomato category has a stronger feel to it.
Lemons- Supplies good, quality good to excellent, demand is good, and the market is steady to lower. District 3 and District 1 are ramping up. The size profiles are complementing each other to allow for availability across the board.
Oranges- Supplies are plentiful, quality is good to excellent, demand is good, and the market is decreasing and will start to stabilize. Navels are in full swing with sizing peaking on 88/113/72.
Limes- Supplies steady, quality is fair to good, demand is good, and the market is steady. Fruit sizing continues to improve, with increased availability of larger sizes. Slightly reduced volumes are noted on 230/250 count fruit.
With more rain scheduled for Central Cal, we expect even more damage on green grapes, and this will also negatively impact the reds as we get close to the end of the domestic season. Expect quality to head down and pricing up.
Cantaloupe Import to start this week on the east coast quality is reported as good, desert melons limited production with just fair quality Honeydew Offshore honeydews will not be seen until later next week, desert quality is fair with good internal flavor.
Alert – Forecasted rain in all growing areas expected to decrease production at least 20 percent. Expect demand to exceed supplies and delayed shipping as growers work through this event. Quality will be affected. Markets are higher.
