Market Outlook

Prices are expected drift sideways as we move into June, mirroring what we typically see this time of year. Grocers haven’t shown much urgency in stepping up their ribeye programs ahead of grilling season, and the foodservice side isn’t offering much lift either.

Prices will firm up heading into June, building on the momentum carried over from recent weeks. While seasonal demand lends underlying support, persistently high values for premium beef cuts will keep prices elevated.

Prices should stay well above year-ago levels but hold range-bound in the coming weeks, in line with typical seasonal patterns, lifted by strong retail featuring and inelastic demand from select foodservice segments amid limited supply.

Prices are expected to hold firm as June approaches, consistent with the usual seasonal trends in which prices peak around mid-month. Persistent supply constraints, combined with strengthening demand from retail and foodservice channels, should keep underpinning the market over the coming weeks.

Prices should hold firm in the coming weeks, supported by strong retail demand and limited uncommitted supplies. But with domestic buyers reluctant to push prices much higher, the market looks range-bound in early summer.

Brisket prices appear poised to level off after rising in recent weeks on reduced beef output and strong retail demand for seasonal grilling, and with buyers unlikely to push the market significantly higher from here, trade is expected to settle into a more range‑bound pattern in the months ahead.

Prices will continue to stabilize and find support after an abrupt selloff, with buyers having stepped back from flap meat following the recent run-up in favor of other beef items.

Prices will shift back to a more moderate tone in the coming weeks, trading independently of seasonal trends. Buyers have been pulling back from the elevated Skirt Meat prices seen in May, which should usher in a more neutral price tone come June.

Prices should continue to stabilize into June, consistent with the typical seasonal pattern. The recent dip has created a strategic buying window, offering purchasers a chance to secure supplies at attractive levels.

Prices will stay firm and well above both year-ago and five-year averages, buoyed by growing demand for quality ground product heading into grilling season. As consumers lean into burgers and other warm-weather staples, keeping values elevated in the weeks ahead.

Prices should hold a firm tone over the coming weeks, in line with seasonal patterns. Elevated lean trimmings values will keep lending support, particularly as retail demand builds.

WOGs continued to trade steadily, with moderate demand meeting limited but sufficient supply. Market activity was consistent, and overall conditions reflected equilibrium without notable volatility.

The boneless breast market was mixed. Jumbo breasts faced downward pressure due to ample supply and slower post‑holiday demand, prompting some sellers to adjust offers. Medium breasts tested current value levels for support, while select sizes remained comparatively tight. Tenderloins held a mostly steady tone, though spot availability became more noticeable than in recent weeks.

Wing markets closed the period on a generally steady footing. Increased inquiries from wing-focused buyers and distributors strengthened seller confidence, though these developments did not materially shift market values.

Back‑half items continued to benefit from a supportive market. Bone‑in legs and thighs were well‑cleared, with steady movement into further‑processing and deboning channels. Leg quarters remained balanced with adequate supply and moderate demand. Drumsticks held a steady tone, supported by retail interest, while both leg meat and thigh meat saw active demand amid limited spot availability.

The whole‑bird turkey market is volatile but slow in actual movement, with sellers working to clear inventories while buyers aggressively seek limited whole‑bird production. Frozen whole turkeys continue to firm as buyers pay premiums to secure product. Breast inventories remain tight, and most other lines are holding steady to firm.

Turkey breast meat—both export‑destined and domestic—is trading at sharply lower values as sellers discount to move excess production. Fresh and frozen tom breast meat assessments continue to decline, reflecting heavier production and unusually light demand. Lower demand is also pressuring tenders and thigh meat, which are trading at reduced levels.

Prices should begin to stabilize as pork follows typical seasonal declines heading into peak bacon and BLT demand. The recent pullback has created value opportunities for retail and foodservice buyers, encouraging more active purchasing, though overall demand—particularly from QSRs—remains soft enough to limit the strength of any potential rebound.

Prices are expected to firm in the coming weeks, consistent with typical seasonal trends for this time of year. Greater retail featuring of loin cuts has helped lift demand, providing solid price support across the category.

Prices are projected to hold a firm tone heading into June, driven by rising demand from grilling season and the upcoming summer holidays.

Prices will stay firm over the next several weeks, in line with normal seasonal patterns. Tightening product availability, paired with rising retail demand fueled by greater consumer interest in grilling and smoking, will keep lending strong support to the market.

Prices will hold steady heading into June, in line with the usual seasonal pattern. Export demand for bone-in hams remains strong, with shipments to Mexico moving at a healthy clip. Boneless ham supplies are sufficient, reflecting sluggish domestic demand.

Pricing remains high but stable as regulatory uncertainty continues to influence supply dynamics.

The market remains steady as lower‑cost imports from India offset higher costs from Central America. Pricing is expected to hold or ease slightly, though elevated fuel costs continue to limit downward movement.

Overall stability continues, with some softening noted in headless shell‑on product and smaller sizes. Pricing is expected to remain steady or drift slightly lower, constrained by freight‑related cost pressures.

Prices remain firm to slightly higher heading into Lent. Large sizes are extremely limited due to regulatory restrictions affecting key fishing areas.

The market has stabilized, with some softer pricing emerging on larger sizes. Core foodservice sizes remain steady and may strengthen as supply tightens.

Prices have stabilized at elevated levels, with tight supply across all size ranges.

Live product pricing remains firm and stable, supported by tight availability across the board.

Lobster meat pricing is steady at high levels, with supply remaining constrained.

Snow crab pricing is trending upward as supply tightens heading into the off‑season.

Prices have leveled off amid ongoing absence of Russian supply. Some sizes remain limited, but product is available.

Market conditions remain steady, though several producing countries are experiencing quality and consistency challenges.

The market is stable with no anticipated changes in near‑term pricing.

Frozen salmon pricing has stabilized and is expected to soften slightly toward month‑end.

Market conditions are steady, with potential for slight softening later in the month.

Fresh salmon pricing has leveled off and may ease modestly as the month progresses.

Supply from Asia is stable, while South and Central American availability remains strained, limiting overall improvement.

The market remains steady with no significant pricing changes expected.

Scallop pricing is firm overall, though some sizes have softened due to lighter demand. Reduced quotas limit the likelihood of sustained cost relief.

Prices continue to rise as global supply remains tight, with key sizes being allocated by major suppliers.

With the season ending and supply far below expectations, pricing is elevated and likely to remain high until the next season begins.

The pollock market is steady with no expected changes in pricing.

The season is active, and while boat prices have eased slightly from the opener, overall pricing remains historically high due to elevated fuel costs.

Milk production remains impressive while warming temperatures across the country are bringing an end to the spring flush in the North. US milk production report showed a larger than expected increase in April, jumping 2.7% YOY as another 24k head were added this month from the initial March reports. This is the largest US herd since 1992 and is keeping more than enough milk coming to market to satisfy processor needs. On the cream side, strong milk fat tests have kept large amounts of cream coming to the market. Overall supplies remain comfortable, while increased demand has kept them from becoming burdensome.

The butter market is seeing large buying activity as prices pushed back to their lowest levels since late January, limiting downside opportunity. Impressive milk output so far this year has helped keep butter churns full and running hard. This has been magnified by the strong butterfat within the milk, pushing plenty of cream onto the market. The USDA confirmed the elevated production levels as updated data showed March butter output up 1.2% from the prior year . However, the cheaper prices earlier this year did support better domestic and global demand, keeping US cold storage levels limited and -8.5% YOY (April).

The block cheese market put in fresh new lows this week, setting back to its lowest levels since February as recent reports suggest plentiful supplies and less optimistic demand prospects.  With plenty of milk coming to market, cheese production is expected to remain near its record highs and keep comfortable amounts of product coming to market.  The USDA’s Cold Storage report showed another healthy increase in stocks from March, with all cheese stocks for April coming in only 0.9% lower YOY and American cheese stocks -1.4% YOY.  Despite trailing year ago levels, slower domestic and international interest of late has put the market at risk for a further build in stocks and why blocks remain on the defensive. March cheese output up 1.2% from the prior year and set a new record for the month.

The shell egg markets are in a state of flux as the market searches for balance into what is normally the weakest time of year. Renewed stockpiling interest has supported eggs off the multi-year lows set the earlier in the month, but those rallies ran out of steam last week as buyers moved to the sidelines. The markets appear to be finding a better supply/demand balance, with reported trading ranges tracking closer with reported values vs. larger discounts seen in April. Even as we move into the slower spring/summer demand period, prices should struggle to retest the recent lows as deteriorating producer margins trim flock sizes in the US. Overall flocks are still more than adequate as updated monthly flock data showed the US table egg laying flock as of May 1st at 306.89 million head, down a seasonally small 360k head from last month and still +3.8% YOY. Updated cage free layers for April showed little movement as flocks were only 172k head larger than the prior month as the historically small premium to conventional eggs continued to slow further cage free conversion efforts.

Soybean oil futures back at the upper end of the relatively subdued range seen so far in May. The market is struggling to push higher amid increased confidence in some sort of a US – Iran agreement. However, the supportive biofuel mandates will keep some level of order interest beneath the market and has led to more divergence between the edible oil market and energies. Domestic spot crude and refined soybean oil basis offers remain firm through Q3 as crushers look for tighter stocks ahead.

The July canola seed futures moved back to the upper end of its recent range this week as traders continue to monitor less than ideal planting conditions thus far in Canada. RBD canola oil basis offers continued to move higher on solid demand.

The nearby palm oil futures moved modestly higher this week but remain at a substantial discount to soybean oil. Indonesia will exempt some refined palm oil products from its planned centralization of commodity exports, a senior government minister said. Under a policy announced last week, exports of palm oil must go through a state company, with a transition phase expected to start from June 1.

Asparagus markets are easing; volume is climbing across multiple growing areas. Domestic production is expanding across the Midwest and Northeast.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available; packer label is being substituted as needed
• Although jumbo and extra-large supplies are increasing, overall import volume remains low
• Standard and large-sized spears are abundant
• Quality is improving: growers report firm spears with minimal seeding
• Expect falling prices and more plentiful supplies over the next several weeks

Peru

• Imported stocks are steady; growers are shipping primarily into South Florida
• Suppliers continue to supplement large sizes
• Quality is generally good, but varies by region; high heat in certain districts has caused some dehydration and feathered tips
• Markets will ease over the coming weeks as demand shifts to regional suppliers

Domestic

• Michigan’s season is fully underway; production will increase through Memorial Day
• The Washington season has reached its peak; yields will diminish over the next several weeks
• Local programs across the Midwest, Northeast, and Canada will serve regional markets through June
• Increased domestic production is expected to reduce market pressure and support lower pricing

Quality concerns are rising as supplies tighten; pricing is expected to climb. MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available; packer label is being substituted as needed.

• Markets are mostly steady with slight price fluctuations as the Mexican season winds down
• High heat is reducing both quality and supply levels

• • Internal and external burn is causing leaf discoloration
  • Insect damage has been reported, further reducing overall pack-outs
• Quality is declining, requiring closer grading and inspections
• California’s Central Coast season is slated to begin in early July
• Expect markets to gradually increase until the Salinas season begins in July

Prices for all domestic lemon sizes remain elevated due to low volume and strong demand. In early July, both offshore and Mexican lemons will supplement domestic supplies. Expect high markets and limited stocks through June.

Domestic

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are available
• District One (San Joaquin Valley) is wrapping up, leaving District Two (Southern California) the only growing region in production  
• All lemons will remain limited until the offshore and Mexican seasons begin in early July
• Growers will start holding orders to six-week averages, starting the week of 5/24/2026
• Quality is good (especially strong choice-grade fruit)
• Expect elevated markets and tight supplies through June

Offshore

• Shipments will start in late June and run through early December
• Size will be dominated by large lemons (95- through 140-count fruit), but smaller sizes will be available as well
• Expect higher pricing compared to domestic and Mexican fruit due to better quality

Mexican

• The season will begin in early July and will run through late November
• Small fruit, 165- through 235-count sizes, will dominate the crop, but larger sizes will be available
• Pricing will be comparable to domestic fruit until volume rises

Fresh-run MFC Onions are available in Southern California and New Mexico.

Pacific Northwest

• Red and white Washington onion storage supplies are finished; light supplies of storage yellow onions are available
• Growers are now transferring onions from other growing regions to fill orders as needed
• Expect higher prices on red onions; yellow onion prices are steady

Texas

• The Texas fresh-run onion season has finished

California

• Southern California is continuing its fresh-run onion harvest
• Some growers expect to finish their Imperial Valley fresh-run onion season this week with others going through the first week of June
• Northern California harvests will begin in a limited manner next week
• Weather has improved following a cooler than normal spring; volume is better this week
• Quality is good; fresh-run onions will exhibit higher moisture content, thinner skins, and overall shorter shelf life
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect steady prices over the next 7-10 day

New Mexico

• New Mexico’s fresh run onion season has begun in a limited manner
• Volume will increase over the next several weeks as more growers begin harvest
• Growers report a good range of sizing with supplies peaking on jumbo sizes
• Quality is good; fresh-run onions will exhibit higher moisture content, thinner skins, and overall shorter shelf life
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Initial prices are slightly higher compared to California

Georgia

• Vidalia sweet onions are available; the season will run through early September
• Red and yellow onions are now available; medium and jumbo sizes dominate the crop
• Quality ranges from good to excellent
• FOB prices are slightly higher compared to New Mexico and California fresh-run onions

Orange supplies remain extremely limited, particularly for the 113- and 138-count sizes. This tight supply is being felt across all growing regions, and unfortunately, no improvement is expected until the Chilean and South African seasons start in July. Given these ongoing challenges, size and grade substitutions will be necessary to fill orders, with the 138-count oranges presenting the greatest difficulty.

California

• MFC and Markon ESS Oranges are available 
• Overall supplies of 113- and 138-count oranges will be extremely limited through the Valencia season, which runs until October
• Expect to make size and grade substitutions, as well as date changes, to fill orders of small fruit
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Expect high markets for small fruit (113- and 138-supplies)

Mexico

• The Valencia season will end the week of May 25
• Overall supplies of 113- and 138-count oranges are extremely limited
• Expect to make size and grade substitutions, as well as date changes, to fill orders of small fruit
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-13 Brix
• Expect elevated prices as these stocks help fill the void in California

Florida

• Growers will ship storage fruit through June
• Supplies are dominated by 113-count and larger sizes; 138-count oranges are limited
• Quality is fair; choice and standard grades are most abundant
• Expect steady markets through June

Imported/Moroccan

• Expect the Moroccan season to end in mid-June
• Vessel delays and holdups from the USDA have further postponed loading schedules
• Valencia quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Stocks are dominated by 113-count and 100-count sizes; 138-count fruit is extremely limited
• Expect elevated markets into mid-June

Imported/South Africa & Chile

• The season will begin in early July
• Current rain events have growers worried about size structure upon arrival into the U.S.
• Supplies are expected to be dominated by 113-count and larger sizes
• Import palletization:
  • 72 cases per pallet
  • Box weight is 33 pounds (15 KG)
• Domestic palletization:
  • 54 cases per pallet (18 KG)
  • Box weight is 40 pounds

MFC Potatoes are available in Idaho and Washington. Prices are rising in multiple regions as storage crops wind down. Markon recommends ordering for quick turns and keeping inventory tight due to shorter shelf life.

Idaho

• Storage crop MFC Norkotah and Burbank Potatoes are being shipped
• Norkotah storage supplies are expected to be depleted by late June
• Burbank volume is slowly ramping up; small sizes dominate the crop
• The gradual shift from Norkotahs to Burbanks will result in fewer 40- through 80-count potatoes
• Pressure and shoulder bruising are being reported in late-season storage supplies, but overall quality remains strong; these issues (soft, external indents) result from constant contact with adjacent potatoes or the floor while raw product sits in storage piles
• Markets are rising

Washington

• Storage crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available
• Remaining supplies are dominated by large sizes
• Quality is very good
• Markets are higher for larger sizes due to strong demand

Colorado & Wisconsin

• All Colorado sizes are available with good mixer volume
• Wisconsin yields are dominated by small, 90- to 120-count sizes
• Quality is good
• Prices are climbing in both regions

A stable weather pattern is expected over the next 10 days, with daytime highs near 70°F and nighttime lows in the low 50s—ideal conditions for strawberry growth. Markets remain steady, with increased activity anticipated by mid-June as shippers prepare for peak harvest volumes. Fruit quality continues to improve, supported by these favorable growing conditions.

Watsonville/Salinas

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Fruit size is large to medium-large averaging 10–15 berries, or 18-22 per one‑pound clamshell (depending on variety)
• Quality is good; some lots are exhibiting light pin rot and minor water bruising
• Prices remain elevated, with no short‑term relief expected until assessments are complete

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Berry size is small-medium to medium, with smaller counts averaging 20–24 berries per one‑pound clamshell
• Overall quality is good; some bruising and white shoulders have been reported, as well as light water damage
• Prices remain elevated due to limited supplies

Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Berry size ranges from small to medium, with counts averaging 20–22 berries per one-pound clamshell
• Defects are minimal; some white shoulders and packing‑related bruising have been noted
• Markets are high; stocks are tight