Doven Foods Market Pulse - Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Alicia Diaz
Jun 10
3 min read

Welcome to this week’s Doven Foods Market Pulse, your essential read on global protein markets.

Global Outlook

U.S. beef production remains about five percent below last year; beef cutouts are holding in the mid-three-hundred-dollar range per hundredweight.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks remain active in both commercial and backyard flocks, sustaining heightened sanitary surveillance.
Growth forecasts for Latin America were lowered to around two percent for 2025, adding currency volatility to protein purchasing.

Category Analysis

Functional Value-Added Proteins (Priority)

Breaded / fully cooked chicken – Quick service chains are ramping up purchases of tenders and strips; spot supply is tight and firm.
Burger Patties and ground meats – Higher grinding costs are impacting portioned/grinds products; several operators are adding seasoning or reducing patty size to protect margins.
Prepared products – Retail continues to demand “better-for-you” options, boosting the need for bulk raw materials going into Q3.

Beef

Middle meats remain at peak levels; chucks and rounds are stable to firm. 90CL trimmings remain balanced by strong export demand. Live cattle futures have softened slightly but remain well above the five-year average. Prices are expected to stay high until Mexican cattle imports normalize.

Pork

Loins, shoulders, and picnics are firm due to grilling season, while belly remains volatile. The hog supply is sufficient and exports are steady, making pork the best value protein compared to beef and chicken.

Poultry

Boneless, skinless breast is at its second-highest seasonal level. Leg quarters fell due to reduced interest from West Africa. Wings remain high, and low turkey inventory is pushing prices upward ahead of the holiday season, though whole chicken supply is ample. The Urner Barry composite chicken index has held its highest level since 2022 for the fourth straight week.

Seafood

Indian Vannamei shrimp – The market holds a soft tone; Indian prices are steady while Vietnamese prices dipped slightly due to improved farm health.
Salmon – Spot prices are expected to drop to the low $3/lb range as Chilean harvests increase in the second half of the year.
Octopus and squid (FAO 34 / Illex) – FAO and traders report limited global supply; despite higher Argentine Illex landings, strong demand is keeping prices firm.
Tuna – Skipjack and yellowfin prices continue to fall amid abundant catches and cautious purchasing.

LatAm & Caribbean Watch

The Dominican Republic received 4.3 million visitors through April, a 7% year-over-year increase, supporting hotel and foodservice demand. Local poultry production (about seven million birds every ten days) covers part of domestic needs and cushions international price spikes.

Across the rest of the region, currency volatility and slower economic growth favor “just-in-time” buying, though stable freight costs support U.S. sourcing programs.

To Watch This Week

USDA weekly slaughter and cutout reports to detect recovery after May holidays
Outcome of U.S.–Mexico screwworm inspections, which may reopen cattle flows
Imminent tariff rulings on shrimp and possible adjustments on chicken or pork
New avian flu outbreaks that may restrict turkey or chicken; maintain safety stock
Early start of tropical storm season and potential port disruptions in the Gulf and Caribbean

Key Takeaways

Supply remains limited for beef and chicken breast; demand for value-added products is rising
Pork offers relative price stability despite belly volatility
Shrimp presents a buying opportunity, while octopus and squid remain strong
Trade and sanitary decisions can rapidly shift the market; maintain continuous monitoring

This weekly report was prepared by the Doven Foods Research Team.