Please note there will be a delay in the reflection of pricing trends at local distributors, attributed to the timing of inventory turnover and the arrival of new stock at distribution centers.
BEEF COMMODITY MARKET REPORT
Beef Insights
December 1, 2025
What’s Happening?
Beef pricing stayed elevated through November, supported by historically tight North American cattle supplies and stronger than expected foodservice demand. According to late November market monitors, production continues to sit well below last year and significantly under the five year average. Even as Q4 demand normally cools, high retail prices and the shift toward winter comfort foods are sustaining volume. Operators should expect rib cuts to remain expensive heading into holiday functions, while loins will soften seasonally from December through January. Chuck, round, and trimmings continue to provide better relative value, although ground beef remains very firm due to limited cow availability and strong retail pull. Currency remains an added pressure which also continues to influence Canadian wholesale pricing.
What Can You Do?
- Lean into braised applications using chucks and blade roasts to offset rib/loin cost pressure.
- Promote “Canadian Beef” as a value add to justify small price adjustments.
- Consider smaller portion controlled steaks (5–6 oz) paired with hearty seasonal sides.
- Use beef in mixed formats—pastas, bowls, and stews—to stretch premium proteins.
- Build flexibility into winter features so you can adapt quickly as rib/loin pricing shifts.
Menu Suggestions
- Red Wine Braised Beef Blade Roast with Parsnip Purée
- Winter Beef Stew with Barley and Root Vegetables
- Petite Sirloin & Mushroom Skillet with Rosemary Jus
- Beef Bourguignon Pappardelle
- Montreal Seasoned Flat Iron with Warm Brussels Sprout Slaw
PORK COMMODITY MARKET REPORT
Pork Insights
December 1, 2025
What’s Happening?
Pork markets continued to ease in November after unusually firm pricing throughout Q3 and early Q4. November market reports show increased slaughter numbers and improved carcass weights, pushing prices for loins, butts, and hams modestly downward. Bellies remain volatile—strong retail bacon demand is keeping prices from falling as quickly as expected. Ribs remain stable and comparatively affordable given high beef prices.
Export demand has softened month over month, leaving more product available domestically and putting mild downward pressure on wholesale prices. Overall, Q4 continues to offer one of the best buying windows for pork relative to competing proteins.
What Can You Do?
- Promote pork as a winter comfort food centrepiece—excellent value versus beef and chicken.
- Use pork shoulder, ribs, and butts in slow roasted or smoked seasonal dishes.
- Mix ground pork with beef in chili, meatballs, and pasta sauces for major cost savings.
- Consider LTOs featuring pork chops, schnitzels, or braised dishes to boost margins.
- Source frozen product for predictable cost through December/January.
Menu Suggestions:
- Maple Glazed Pork Loin with Cranberry Wild Rice
- Pulled Pork Shepherd’s Pie
- Braised Pork Shoulder with Winter Greens
- Pork Schnitzel with Warm Potato & Dill Salad
- Spicy Ground Pork Ragu with Rigatoni
POULTRY COMMODITY MARKET REPORT
Poultry Insights
December 1, 2025
What’s Happening?
Chicken remains one of the toughest categories for operators as domestic supply constraints and limited import access continue to inflate wholesale prices. As highlighted in the October Market Reports, breast meat remains the most expensive component, with foodservice bidding competing heavily against retail. Dark meat—thighs, drums, bone in legs—remains the most price friendly, though still markedly higher than last year.
The Globe & Mail’s late October commentary on supply management reinforces what operators already feel: tight quotas, farm level productivity issues, and reduced TRQ [import quota] availability are creating persistent shortages and pricing friction. Seasonal demand normally softens in Q4, but given structural constraints, prices remain stubbornly elevated heading into winter.
What Can You Do?
- Shift to flavour driven dark meat dishes to maintain strong margins.
- Use global spice blends (harissa, jerk, curry, miso) to elevate cost effective cuts.
- Feature chicken in bowls, pastas, flatbreads, and mixed protein dishes to stretch portions.
- Consider par cooked or marinated poultry SKUs to save labour during peak holiday season.
- Highlight chicken as a value oriented alternative to high beef prices.
Menu Suggestions:
- Roast Chicken Thighs with Cranberry Herb Glaze
- Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Cavatappi
- Korean Gochujang Chicken Drumsticks with Sesame Slaw
- Winter Chicken Pot Pie with Flaky Pastry
- Jerk Chicken Rice Bowl with Roasted Squash
SEAFOOD COMMODITY MARKET REPORT
Seafood Insights
December 1, 2025
What’s Happening?
Seafood prices are diverging sharply heading into December. There is significant upward pressure on Black Tiger shrimp, with holiday driven demand intersecting with reduced harvest volumes and higher freight costs. Fresh and frozen Atlantic salmon pricing is also rising due to tightening global supply and controlled harvest cycles in Chile and Norway.
In contrast, whitefish (cod, pollock, hake) remains the most stable and cost effective category, with frozen at sea fillets offering strong value. Scallop pricing is stable to slightly soft, while Canadian mussels and clams remain abundant and well priced for winter menus. Lobster tails continue to trade at premium levels due to global demand and ongoing supply constraints.
What Can You Do?
- Feature whitefish in winter classics—chowders, casseroles, baked fillets.
- Stretch shrimp by using it in pastas, risottos, mixed seafood dishes, or appetizers.
- Promote Canadian Sourced Products [High Liner] as an affordable winter special.
- Use pre breaded or portion controlled seafood items to improve labour efficiency.
Menu Suggestions:
- Winter Seafood Chowder with Cod, Mussels & Potatoes
- Baked Pollock with Lemon Thyme Breadcrumbs
- Creamy Shrimp & Spinach Orzo (with smaller portion of premium shrimp)
- Panko Crusted Salmon Cakes with Dill Yogurt
- Cod & Potato Gratin with Herb Butter
PRODUCE COMMODITY MARKET REPORT
Current Key Produce Market Trends
General 2025 Trend
- Vegetable prices expected to increase by 5-7% in 2025
- Fruit prices expected to increase by 1-3%
What’s Happening?
As December begins, produce markets are transitioning from fall harvests into winter supply realities. The shift brings greater reliance on U.S. and Mexican imports, which introduces weather volatility and longer supply chains. While pricing on some staple items is stable or easing—such as squash, cabbage, and onions—others like leafy greens, berries, and avocados remain elevated due to tight supply and logistics challenges. Foodservice operators are noticing an uptick in greenhouse-grown product availability, providing a consistent option for cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. At the same time, many restaurants are leaning into warm, produce-forward dishes—like soups, grain bowls, and roasted sides—to highlight seasonal vegetables and offset protein costs. With fresh fruit limited, frozen berries and compotes are being used to support winter dessert menus.
What Can You Do?
- Feature hearty vegetables—carrots, squash, cabbage, beets—in winter specials.
- Move away from fresh berries in desserts; use frozen fruit formats.
- Use pre cut vegetables or blends to reduce labour during the busy holiday months.
- Lean on frozen produce (e.g., Alasko) for soups and sides when pricing spikes.
Fresh Produce Price Alerts – December 1, 2025
- Avocados: Prices firm; shift to smaller fruit or limit avocado heavy dishes.
- Tomatoes: Grape/cherry remain tight; Romas preferred.
- Leafy Greens: Variable quality; plan substitutions.
- Strawberries: Extremely limited; expect premium pricing.
- Onions & Potatoes: Pricing still variable during new crop transition.
- Lemons/Oranges: Imported supply = firm pricing.
- Peppers & Cucumbers: Greenhouse crops stable and good value.
Consider Frozen with Alasko!
When fresh produce or seafood prices are volatile, Alasko offers chef-ready frozen fruits, vegetables, and whitefish fillets that deliver consistency and cost control through the holidays and beyond.
We look forward to your questions, feedback and suggestions. Contact: Randy@gbfs.ca
