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 13, 2026
Quick Takeaways for the Kitchen
Beef: Feature burgers, brisket, meatloaf, and barbecue favorites as Labor Day demand builds.
Pork: Keep ribs, pulled pork, bacon, and sausage-focused specials ready for late-summer gatherings and tailgates.
Chicken: Lean into wings, sandwiches, tenders, bowls, and family meal bundles heading into football season.
Beef Market:
Beef continues to be a supply-driven market. Nationally, cattle numbers remain historically tight and slaughter levels are running lighter than normal, which is keeping overall beef availability snug. At the same time, demand remains solid even as summer grilling season begins to wind down. Retailers are shifting more attention toward ground beef, burgers, roasts, and other value-oriented cuts, while foodservice demand for premium cuts remains steady. As we move through August and toward Labor Day, expect strong interest in burgers, brisket, and barbecue-focused menu items as operators squeeze the last major grilling holiday out of the summer. Internal market reports are echoing the same theme: tight cattle supplies continue to support the market, and Labor Day promotions are expected to keep ground beef demand active. External USDA outlooks also point to slower cattle slaughter and reduced beef production during 2026.
Pork Market:
Pork is currently the most balanced of the three major proteins. Supplies remain adequate, and buyers continue to purchase for immediate needs rather than building inventory. Summer grilling demand has started to transition, with ribs, butts, and barbecue items moving from peak-season demand toward a more normal late-summer pattern. However, Labor Day is still ahead, which should provide another boost for ribs, pulled pork, sausages, and barbecue menus. Retail promotions continue to heavily feature bacon, ribs, and value-oriented pork items, showing consumers are still looking for comfort foods, tailgating items, and affordable protein choices. Internal reports suggest ribs remain one of the strongest-performing pork categories, while hams and bellies have been more mixed. External market sources indicate hog harvests are at typical seasonal lows and demand is transitioning from peak grilling season toward fall and football-related consumption patterns.
Chicken Market:
Chicken remains the workhorse protein for kitchens across the country. Production is healthy, supplies are generally available, and consumers continue to view chicken as a reliable everyday menu choice. Demand is strongest around convenience-focused offerings such as sandwiches, tenders, wraps, bowls, fried chicken, and family meals. Wings are beginning to attract more attention as operators prepare for football season, while dark meat continues to perform well because of its versatility and value on menus. Internal market updates show steady supplies across most chicken categories, with wings well supported and breast meat generally available. USDA outlooks continue to project strong broiler production, helping keep supply comfortable heading into fall. As Labor Day approaches, chicken remains a strong choice for family gatherings, catering, grab-and-go meals, and game-day menu planning.
Turkey:
🦃 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.
