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 August 26, 2026
Quick Takeaways for the Kitchen
Beef: Expect beef supplies to stay snug; feature high-impact beef items strategically and plan ahead for fall roast and holiday menu demand.
Pork: Pork remains the most balanced protein category right now; great option for smokehouse features, sandwiches, comfort foods, and holiday prep.
Chicken: Chicken continues to be the most versatile menu protein; wings, sandwiches, tenders, and prepared items should remain dependable traffic drivers heading into football season and the holidays.
Beef Market:
Beef continues to be the story of tight supplies meeting steady consumer demand. National cattle numbers remain historically limited, which means beef availability is not as abundant as operators have been used to in previous years. USDA outlooks continue to point to lower beef production and tighter cattle supplies through the remainder of 2026, while demand remains solid both at retail and foodservice.
For kitchens, we’re now moving out of the peak summer grilling season and into the fall menu transition. As Labor Day approaches, demand for steaks, burgers, and grilling cuts remains active, but attention will gradually shift toward roasts, braising cuts, comfort-food features, and holiday center-of-plate items. Internal market reports also show buyers beginning to prepare for seasonal events while supplies of many beef items remain relatively snug.
Pork Market:
Pork remains one of the most balanced protein categories in the market today. Production is expected to be slightly higher than last year, supported by heavier hog weights and stable production levels. Domestic demand remains healthy, while export activity continues to provide support despite some soft spots in international shipments.
Seasonally, pork is coming off its strongest grilling period of the year. Ribs, butts, loins, and bacon have benefited from summer cookouts and outdoor dining, but as fall arrives, demand typically shifts toward hams, comfort-food applications, sandwiches, smoked items, and holiday menu planning. Industry reports suggest supplies are generally available and markets are behaving in a more predictable fashion than many other proteins.
Chicken Market:
Chicken continues to be the workhorse protein across foodservice. Production has been expanding and bird placements remain ahead of last year, helping maintain a generally adequate supply picture. Consumer demand remains strong because chicken fits a wide range of menu applications and continues to be viewed as a versatile, everyday protein.
From a seasonal standpoint, wings, tenders, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and prepared chicken items continue to see consistent movement. As we transition from late summer into football season and holiday planning, kitchens can expect continued demand for wings, party platters, sandwiches, and value-focused menu items. Internal market updates over the past year have consistently highlighted strong retail and processor demand for chicken, although specific item availability can vary depending on bird sizing and production needs.
🦃 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.
