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 May 8, 2026
Beef Market:
Beef continues to feel firm heading into this holiday stretch, with supplies staying on the snug side and product moving quickly. Grinds are picking up steam earlier and heavier than usual, driven by strong burger demand as operators plan ahead for Memorial Day, while Mother’s Day keeps attention on higher-end cuts for specials. Availability is there, but it isn’t generous, so certain cuts can tighten up fast while others lag. Over the next few weeks, expect uneven movement by item, with steady retail and foodservice pull keeping the beef complex well supported overall.
Pork Market:
Pork is looking more balanced by comparison, with good supplies and fewer pressure points across the carcass. Retail activity is active ahead of Mother’s Day and will continue building toward Memorial Day, especially on familiar grilling and roasting items. Pork is likely to stay a dependable, flexible option on menus in the near term, with some seasonal firmness developing as outdoor cooking ramps up, but without the same supply tension showing up in beef. This sets pork up as a consistent workhorse protein through the rest of May.
Chicken Market:
Chicken remains a mixed bag, but the overall feel is still supportive. Some cuts—especially breasts and tenders—continue to see tighter availability, while other items like wings and certain dark-meat products remain easier to source as promotions stay active. Production has been strong enough to keep the pipeline moving, even with holiday demand in play. With Mother’s Day and Memorial Day both driving traffic and takeout volume, expect chicken demand to stay steady, with continued cut-by-cut differences rather than a unified market direction.
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.
