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 September 9, 2026
Quick Takeaways for the Kitchen
Beef: Expect strong demand for briskets, roasts, and braising cuts as football season and cooler-weather comfort foods take center stage.
Pork: Fall is prime time for ribs, pulled pork, sausage, chops, and shoulders as menus move from grilling toward comfort-driven offerings.
Chicken: Wings are entering a peak seasonal demand window, while breasts and thighs remain versatile menu staples for high-volume operations.
Beef Market:
Beef continues to feel the effects of a historically tight cattle supply situation across the United States. USDA outlook reports point to slower cattle slaughter and fewer calves entering the pipeline, which means overall beef availability remains constrained heading into the fall and winter months. At the same time, demand typically shifts away from summer grilling and toward briskets, chuck rolls, short ribs, pot roasts, and slow-cooked comfort food items. Football season, tailgating, and cooler weather support steady movement on smoked and braised beef applications, while upcoming holiday periods such as Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving planning, and year-end catering create additional interest in roasts and premium beef features. USDA forecasts suggest the supply side will remain snug through late 2026 and into 2027. Internal supplier reporting is also highlighting continued demand for brisket and other beef cuts as kitchens transition toward fall menus.
Prime Beef:
Prime middle meat availability continues to be extremely tight, particularly on ribeyes, striploins, and tenderloins. A major driver is this summer’s heat, which has caused cattle to consume less feed and develop less marbling. With fewer cattle reaching Prime grade, supplies of Prime middle meats have become increasingly limited. Product remains available, but inventories are tightening and replacement product is becoming harder to secure. For kitchens featuring Prime steaks, planning ahead and managing menu commitments carefully will be important. Specialty steak features remain a great draw for guests, but operators should expect ongoing supply challenges as we move into fall and holiday booking season. The market situation aligns with broader industry reports highlighting tight beef supplies and continued challenges in securing premium middle meats.
Pork Market:
Pork is entering one of its most versatile seasonal windows. National production is expected to remain slightly above last year, giving operators a dependable protein as summer grilling fades and comfort-food season takes over. Traditional Labor Day demand has passed, but football season keeps ribs, pulled pork, smoked pork, sausage, and shareable appetizers firmly on menus. As temperatures cool, operators often shift toward pork shoulders, loins, chops, and braised preparations that fit fall and holiday dining occasions. USDA forecasts indicate ample pork production, and industry reports continue to describe supplies as generally adequate. That combination supports menu flexibility heading into the fourth quarter, especially for restaurants looking to balance value and guest appeal. Industry foodservice reports also note that seasonal demand is transitioning from grilling-focused cuts into slower-cooked and comfort-oriented pork applications.
Chicken Market:
Chicken remains the workhorse protein for many restaurants and foodservice operators. Broiler production is running at healthy levels, and hatchery data suggests supplies should remain balanced through the remainder of the year. As September progresses, football season becomes the biggest driver of demand, particularly for wings, tenders, sandwiches, and shareable menu items. Chicken also performs well as consumers return to routine school and work schedules because it fits a wide range of menu formats, including bowls, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and center-of-plate entrées. As colder weather approaches, roasting chickens, comfort-food casseroles, and hearty chicken dishes tend to gain traction. Looking ahead toward Thanksgiving and the holiday season, chicken remains a dependable option for both everyday dining and catered events. USDA and industry reports indicate plenty of production capacity and generally balanced supplies moving into the fall. Internal supply updates show active demand for wings and breasts, reflecting the seasonal shift toward football-driven consumption.
🦃 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.
