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
Midland County Junior Livestock Show in West Texas features swine competition with top exhibitors, including Grand Champion Brinley Wilson, ahead of Saturday’s premium sale.
January 15, 2026 04:07 PM
·
Rep. Erin Houchin of Indiana discusses how the Affordable Homes Act will benefit rural communities, and her broader efforts to improve access to affordable housing.
January 15, 2026 03:04 PM
·
Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss key ag policy developments and his outlook for agriculture in 2026.
January 15, 2026 12:51 PM
·
House Agriculture Committee Democrats are calling for action on the Farm and Family Relief Act, warning that proposed SNAP cost shifts to states could reduce food assistance for low-income families amid ongoing tariffs and trade disruptions that continue to strain U.S. farmers.
January 15, 2026 12:30 PM
·
Tight beef cow supplies and steady demand point to continued record-level cull cow prices in 2026.
January 15, 2026 11:23 AM
·
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
January 15, 2026 10:14 AM
·
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
·
A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
·
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
·
