Welcome to your essential weekly update on the meat and seafood market! This space is dedicated to providing chefs with timely insights into market trends, helping you navigate the ever-changing landscape of food costs and availability. Stay informed and ahead of the curve to expertly plan your menus and maintain your restaurant’s competitive edge.
Meat & Seafood Market Report
MEAT MARKET UPDATE
UPDATED October 8, 2026
Quick Takeaways for the Kitchen
Beef: Holiday demand is starting to build, and premium steak and roast items will likely receive the most attention as operators prepare for year-end menus.
Pork: Fall is pork season, making ribs, barbecue, sausage, sandwiches, and holiday ham features natural fits for October and November menus.
Chicken: Supplies remain balanced and reliable, making chicken a flexible choice for everyday features, catering, and holiday menu support.
Beef Market:
Beef continues to be the tightest protein market in the U.S. Cattle numbers remain historically low, which is keeping overall beef supplies constrained even as production schedules improve. Recent processing disruptions tied to labor availability at several major packing regions temporarily tightened supplies and delayed cattle movement, but slaughter levels have been recovering as plants return to more normal operations. As we move through October, the industry is transitioning from grilling season into holiday planning. Many operators are already beginning to think about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and year-end banquet menus, which typically increases interest in prime rib, strip loins, tenderloins, and other center-of-the-plate beef items. Expect beef to remain a featured holiday protein, with demand building steadily as kitchens finalize seasonal menus.
Pork Market:
Pork remains the most balanced protein market heading into the fall season. Increased hog production is providing ample product availability, while demand continues to shift toward seasonal favorites. October traditionally brings stronger interest in barbecue, ribs, pulled pork, sausage applications, football-season specials, and comfort-food menu items. At the same time, holiday ham planning is beginning to pick up as operators look ahead to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Market activity varies by cut, but overall supplies remain dependable and product movement is steady. Fuel and freight remain factors throughout the supply chain, though they have not had the same operational impact seen recently in the beef sector.
Chicken Market:
Chicken continues to offer the most stable supply outlook among the major proteins. National production remains strong, hatchery activity is healthy, and overall availability is balanced heading into the fourth quarter. Retail demand has been active recently, while foodservice demand has been mixed depending on the product category. Wings continue to see softer-than-normal seasonal demand, while thighs, leg meat, and bone-in products remain well supported. Higher fuel costs have contributed to softer travel activity in some regions, which has modestly impacted foodservice traffic and products closely tied to sporting events and on-the-go dining occasions. Looking ahead, chicken should remain a dependable menu option through the holiday season, although processing downtime around Thanksgiving and Christmas can create short-term supply interruptions on certain items.
🦃 It’s Turkey Time!
Now is the time to get your fresh turkey pre-orders submitted. Whether your customers are planning holiday catering, Thanksgiving features, carving stations, or take-home meals, securing birds early is the best way to ensure availability. Demand traditionally builds through August and September, and the most desirable sizes and specialty programs tend to fill up first. We’ve already started receiving customer inquiries, making now the perfect time to start those conversations and lock in holiday needs.
Turkey Market Update:
The turkey market is expected to remain tight heading into the holiday season. Industry supplies continue to be limited, with USDA reports describing offerings as light across many turkey categories, particularly white meat and value-added items. Recent market commentary also points to reduced turkey production compared with historical levels, while demand typically accelerates as Thanksgiving planning begins. Internally, we are already seeing strong interest in holiday turkey programs and early-order activity. As a result, customers should be encouraged to place orders sooner rather than later, especially for fresh birds, specialty turkeys, and turkey breast programs.
Bottom Line: Don’t wait until fall. Get your turkey orders in early and secure your holiday birds before availability becomes a challenge. 🦃
Looking for specific information on the meat market? Contact our team today.
SEAFOOD MARKET UPDATE
Scallops: The scallop market is on the rise nationwide, but we’re working with our suppliers to keep pricing competitive.
Check out our seasonality chart below and read more about seafood seasonality here.
