Market Trends: High Price Volatility for the Holidays
Get to know how food prices have changed and where they are going with your Market Trends Report. Each week we’ll show you how both wholesale and commodity prices have changed. We’ll also include an analysis of how we expect wholesale prices to change over the coming weeks to help you make the best purchasing decisions, all for free.
Market Overview
We continue to see a wide variance in how wholesale prices are tracking with commodity prices. Overall average commodity prices have stayed relatively flat and are down 1.6% week over week. Average wholesale prices have at least aligned directionally and are down 2.72% week over week.
The biggest increases are in Chicken Breast (up 5.3%), Shell Eggs (up 7.3%), and Pork Shoulder (up 3.9%). The biggest drops are Fresh Potatoes (down 15.2%), Fresh Lettuce (down 7.8%), and Ground Beef (down 6.5%).
If you are looking for your best price per pound, pork continues to be a great option and your produce prices should be coming down as well.
Category Trends
Ground Beef
Wholesale prices dropped 21.65% following a 1% decrease in commodity prices the previous week. Expect to see wholesale prices rebound in the coming weeks in response to the small increase in commodity prices this week.
Shell Eggs
Wholesale and commodity prices dropped this week 6.96% & 16.39% respectively. Expect to see more decreases in wholesale prices over the coming weeks.
Pork Loin
Our biggest increase we're seeing this week is in wholesale Pork Loin prices (61.36%) following the holidays, commodity prices are seeing a small 5.38% decrease.
Pork Shoulder
An Upswing in both wholesale & commodity prices following the holidays, 50.26% & 13.77% increases respectively, look for some stabilization in the coming weeks.
Fresh Lettuce
Wholesale prices are down 19.04% and commodity prices are down 26.33%. Look for the price drop to continue if commodity prices keep dropping.
Fresh Potatoes
Wholesale prices for potatoes are down 46.54% this week, likely as a correction after the November spike in prices. Expect less volatility in the coming weeks.
Chicken Breast
Commodity prices increased 17.01% this week, while wholesale prices increased by only 3.19%. Look for wholesale prices to increase in the coming weeks.
Fresh Bell Pepper
Commodity prices decreased by 11.4%, look for wholesale to lower prices in the coming weeks.
Fresh Onion
Commodity prices continue to drop (15.18%), wholesale are also decreasing their prices to near record lows for the year.
If you want to easily compare prices on similar products as you shop, try our free Smart Shopping Assistant browser extension.