NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — Seasonal shifts and supply quirks are tugging wholesale food costs in different directions — easing some fresh categories while keeping key proteins choppy. For produce buyers, several salad-bar staples are cheaper, helping menus and retail ads, while a few holiday-leaning items are tightening.
Leafy items are split — romaine and green leaf up on Salinas disease pressure, but iceberg down on added Huron supply. Broccoli and cauliflower fell sharply as earlier highs cooled demand; tomatoes (rounds, romas, grapes) trended lower. Red bells firmed; cucumbers, celery, and green beans moved higher. Potatoes and onions were steady, primarily to mixed; pears eased while several apple varieties gained. Avocados were mixed; citrus leaned softer (limes, early navels, lemons).
Beef grinds continued higher; strips and tenderloins firmed with ribs starting a holiday climb, while briskets and many chucks softened. Pork was mixed — loins and butts easing, tenders rallying, bellies ticking up, hams slightly lower. Chicken saw jumbo breast up, wings flat, thighs down; turkey breasts edged higher. Seafood was steady to firm for domestic shrimp, while imported shrimp rose on tariffs; Alaska snow crab quota nearly doubled. Edible oils weakened (soy), canola held modestly firmer, and palm slid; sugar offers stayed firm despite multi-year lows in global futures. Butter prices fell; shell eggs rose on HPAI headlines.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Expect modest relief on several produce lines, mixed protein trends into holiday buying, and softer veg-oil costs — a good week to sharpen forward buys selectively.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
USDA and EPA officials aim to maintain America’s robust food supply while ensuring farmers have access to key resources and crop protection tools.
September 30, 2025 12:13 PM
·
The campaign is about more than just a digital push; NPB leaders hope it will become a rallying point for the entire industry.
September 30, 2025 11:55 AM
·
The USDA’s August Cold Storage report shows shifting stock levels across major dairy, meat, and poultry products.
September 29, 2025 06:21 PM
·
The total value of the U.S. potato crop was $4.60 billion in 2024, representing an 8% decrease from the previous year.
September 29, 2025 06:00 PM
·
Crop-specific shifts and strong prices highlight the variability of this year’s fruit and tree nut harvest, according to USDA data.
September 29, 2025 05:11 PM
·
The decline in production marks the second consecutive year of contraction in the U.S. turkey industry.
September 29, 2025 05:05 PM
·
A booming butterfat market is good for some dairy products but threatens efficiency and margins for cheesemakers unless protein levels catch up
September 29, 2025 12:53 PM
·
Smaller flocks and lower lay rates are pressuring table egg supplies, even as hatchery activity edges higher.
September 26, 2025 04:58 PM
·
Strong corn exports are anchoring U.S. trade, while soybean sales remain steady, but shipments lag.
September 26, 2025 04:48 PM
·
