Mahi Mahi 

• Taiwan’s main season has begun; early landings are being monitored to determine overall seasonal volume. 

• Portions remain accessible, but pricing is holding firm across all sizes due to steady demand. 

• Fillets and loins continue to see limited spot availability, keeping the market tight. 

Snow Crab 

• The Canadian season is heavily underway across Nova Scotia, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Newfoundland. 

• Newfoundland 2026 total allowable catch is set at 61,004 tonnes — down 3% from 2025, but still the third-highest on record. 

• Opening price structures are establishing the baseline for late spring and summer inventory. 

White Shrimp 

• Global supply remains stable and well-diversified across India, Ecuador, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. 

• A reliable and relatively price-stable protein for early summer menu planning. 

Atlantic Salmon 

• Supply is tighter than historical averages, driven by farming regulations, biological challenges, and sea lice pressure in key producing regions. 

• Prices remain elevated as spring demand and Memorial Day grilling activity strain available inventory. 

• Contract coverage is preferable to spot purchasing where possible. 

Lobster 

• The Canadian spring fishing season has opened, adding volume to an increasingly active New England market. 

• Early-season pricing remains volatile, but overall supply is expected to improve heading into June and July. 

Tuna 

• Fuel costs, vessel operating costs, and Pacific fishing constraints continue to pressure raw material availability for yellowfin and skipjack. 

• Loin and steak pricing remains elevated and is expected to stay firm through Q2. 

Cod and Whitefish 

• North Atlantic whitefish remains under significant supply pressure. 

• Reduced cod quotas — including historically low Norwegian quota levels — are contributing to higher global whitefish pricing. 

• Buyers using whitefish as a value-driven menu tier should consider forward coverage to reduce exposure to additional summer volatility. 

Scallops 

• Mid-Atlantic rotational area openings continue to provide supply relief. 

• Pricing remains relatively stable, offering a predictable premium option compared with more volatile seafood categories. 

Slaughter and Supply 

• Despite elevated beef prices, packers remain challenged with tight cattle supplies and negative margins. 

• Consumer demand for beef remains strong despite record high prices.  

• Packers are paying all-time high cattle costs which support high retail and foodservice prices. 

• Drought conditions in the major cattle producing regions could possibly delay heifer retention and herd rebuilding.  

Wholesale Values 

• Fed cattle prices remain historically high, with live cattle values near the upper end of recent ranges. 

• Beef cutout values remain well above year-ago benchmarks per USDA/AMS reporting. 

Grading Disparity 

• With cattle on feed longer, 17% of cattle is grading prime and approximately 90% Choice or higher. 

• Pricing for lower grades is higher due to scarce availability. 

Specific Cut Breakdowns 

• Ribeye: Rib prices while still historically high are lower YOY in comparison to 2025 as consumers gravitate towards lower cost beef options. However, rib prices are expected to increase seasonally as we approach the summer months.  

• Striploin: Demand remains robust, keeping prices elevated and on par with ribeye values. Striploin demand is expected to remain strong, leading up to the Fourth of July holiday.  

• Chuck Rolls: Pricing moved higher through the first half of May; some late-season softening may develop. 

• Ground Beef & Grinds: Ground Chuck and 81/19 Ground Beef have moved upward through May; prices expected to remain firm as summer burger demand builds. 

• Chuck Flats: Chuck flat demand remains strong as retailers continue to feature chuck items as a lower cost alternative to middle meats. 

With beef prices elevated, retailers are leaning heavily into chicken for summer ad features. Trends remain highly cut-specific rather than broadly uniform. 

Production Volume 

• Egg sets and chick placements remain above year-ago levels, suggesting a generally balanced supply pipeline into the second half of 2026. 

• Demand remains uneven by cut. 

Specific Part Breakdowns 

• Boneless Skinless Thighs: Spot availability remains limited due to strong domestic retail demand and export interest; pricing continues moving upward. 

• Breast Meat: Jumbo breast meat pricing has declined as further-processor demand has softened. 

• Wings: Wing pricing has bottomed out as the market moves away from sports-heavy promotional seasons. 

• Tenders: Jumbo tenders remain elevated; fresh spot loads are difficult to source, though frozen product may offer better availability. 

• Turkey: Prices remain elevated due to tight domestic supplies and the lingering impact of HPAI on turkey flocks. 

Pork has entered a bullish seasonal phase, supported by tighter slaughter availability and stronger promotional activity. Year-to-date harvest remains slightly below last year’s pace. 

Butts 

• Bone-in butts continue moving sharply higher as grilling and smoking demand ramps up while harvest levels tighten seasonally. 

Ribs 

• Backribs and spareribs have strengthened across the board. 

• Increased retail promotion frequency is supporting higher pricing into late spring. 

Bellies / Bacon 

• The belly market showed some early-month softness, but increased retail bacon features should help stabilize pricing into June. 

Hams 

• Seasonal declines have slowed, and the ham complex appears to be finding a floor. 

• Export demand to Mexico and deli/lunchmeat processing continue to support volume. 

Loins 

• Bone-in loins have increased modestly with seasonal grilling interest. 

• Boneless loins remain unsettled due to variable retail promotion schedules. 

Trimmings 

• Pork trimmings remain volatile. 

• Because pork trimmings can substitute for expensive beef trimmings in ground meat applications, upside price risk remains as summer demand increases. 

Dairy 

• USDA recently raised its 2026 milk production forecast to 235.4 billion pounds, reflecting expectations for a larger cow herd. 

• Cheese, nonfat dry milk, and whey forecasts were raised; butter was lowered to reflect recent pricing. 

Grains and Wheat 

• Input costs remain sensitive to fertilizer, fuel, and global freight volatility. 

• Finished goods such as bread, pasta, and mixes may face upward price pressure later in 2026 if cost factors persist. 

Produce and Vegetables 

• Imported items crossing through Texas continue to carry elevated freight costs. 

• Domestic spring growing regions (Salinas, CA) are coming online. 

• Romaine and Green Leaf lettuce are seeing modest upward pressure due to early quality issues. 

• Round and Roma tomatoes have declined as regional supplies improve. 

Cooking Oils 

• Domestic soybean oil supply remains adequate. 

• Palm oil continues to face pressure from Southeast Asian shipping delays. 

• Canola oil remains firm due to strong crush margins. 

• Forward booking remains recommended for frying oil applications. 

Plastics and Packaging 

• Elevated crude oil and resin costs continue to pressure polyethylene and polypropylene-based packaging. 

• Films, trays, and bags are expected to remain firm through Q2. 

Nitrile Gloves 

• Supply has tightened slightly among select manufacturers due to petrochemical feedstock constraints. 

• Widespread scarcity is not currently indicated, but buyers should avoid running lean on inventory to protect against extended lead times. 

• Freight and shipping costs remain elevated through May. 

• Strait of Hormuz traffic has shown some signs of movement, but shipping risk remains high and should not yet be viewed as fully normalized. 
• Brent crude remains sensitive to geopolitical developments, keeping fuel surcharges active on imported goods.