With tight cattle supplies and resilient consumer demand, beef prices will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.  

Beef packers continue to limit processing capacity to minimize their losses which is supporting the high beef prices. 

Heavier carcass weights continue to partially offset the reduced slaughter levels.  

With cattle on feed longer, grading for choice, premium, and prime remains strong. Availability for lower grades such as Select continues to be limited, which is supporting higher prices.  

• Ribeye pricing has been increasing ahead of Easter but is expected to settle down after the holiday.  

• Striploin pricing has been on the rise with the spring grilling season nearly upon us and is considered better value than higher priced ribeyes.  

• Chuck flat pricing will be decreasing again in March but is still at elevated levels as the overall chuck complex demand remains strong. 

• Chuck Roll prices have been increasing again as retailers have been featuring chucks prominently in their winter ad features.  

• Sliced beef short rib pricing continues to remain at elevated levels due to limited availability of raw material.  

• Oxtail prices remain steady despite limited cattle supplies and higher demand during the winter months.   

With slaughter levels down year-over-year, availability remains an ongoing challenge for certain cuts as strong consumer demand persists. 

With high beef prices, retailers continue to feature poultry prominently in their ad features.  

Overall poultry prices continue to increase due to strong demand for thigh meat, breast meat, and jumbo wings. 

• BI Thighs – Availability remains tight as retailers allocate more space in the meat case to BI thighs in place of higher priced beef items.  

• BL SL Thighs – BL SL Thigh prices continue to increase as the dark meat complex strengthens.  

• Legmeat – Chicken leg meat has been increasing as thigh meat prices move up.  

• Breastmeat – Breast meat prices are at elevated levels as the entire poultry complex remains strong.   

• Wings – Wing prices remain steady as national wing chains secured inventory ahead of March Madness.  

• Turkey – Turkey prices remain high due to tight supplies and the ongoing impact of the HPAI bird flu affecting turkey flocks.   

Poultry Outlook – With high beef prices, poultry remains the protein of choice for consumers seeking value and affordability.  

 Pork continues to present good value for both the retail and food service segments as a lower cost protein option than beef.  

Retail demand for lower cost proteins such as sausages, hot dogs, canned meats, etc. remains strong amongst budget conscious consumers.  

• Butts– Boneless butt pricing will be increasing as high beef prices have supported strengthening pork demand.   

• Hams– Ham demand will remain firm due to the upcoming Easter holiday as well as continued strong export demand to Mexico.    

• Back Ribs & Spare Ribs- Rib prices are under pressure as pork packers continue to build up their frozen inventory in preparation for summer. 

• Bellies- Belly pricing has strengthened due to increased seasonal demand at the retail level. Danish pork belly pricing has increased as Japan has stepped in heavily to book inventory amidst the outbreak of ASF (African Swine Flu) in Spain. 

Pork Outlook – With high beef prices, retailers are expected to continue to feature pork heavily in future ad features.  

Mahi Mahi  

• Peruvian season has only produced about 40-50% of 2024 season.  A little better than 2025 season.   

• There are not enough fish to fill demand and lower prices. 

• Majority of the larger fillets are being processed for large portions (6oz and 8oz).  

• Majority of the fillets will be 3/5. There will be some larger fillets available, but not in large quantities. 

• Taiwan main season will begin in May.  

Snow Crab  

• The 2026 Canadian Snow Crab Season is set to begin fishing mid to late April, barring any delays due to weather or price negotiations. 

• Southern Gulf Crab will have a reduction in quota by 12%, which will put a lot of pressure on supply and pricing. 

• Newfoundland Crab will see a reduction up to 5% but will still make up the bulk of the volume of crab coming out of Canada. 

• There will be no huge price separation between 5/8 and 8/ups as seen in last year’s pricing. 

Pasteurized Crabmeat  

• Implementation of MMPA (Marine Mammal Protection Act) has been pushed back to July 1st, 2026.  

• This is to allow all countries and fisheries time to adjust and comply with the new fishing regulations that protect the welfare of all Marine Mammals (I.E. Whales, Dolphins, Turtles, etc.) 

• Currently product is still being produced and shipped into the United States.  

Fuel Cost  

• The global conflict that is occurring in the Middle East has caused drastic price increases in oil. 

• Many importers are citing rising cost in goods due to the increase in fuel. 

• Expect prices to increase as importers pass on added cost, unless the conflict ends soon.