Winter’s grip on the markets is starting to loosen. Beef has turned higher sooner than expected, chicken keeps climbing, pork begins its spring setup, dairy shows signs of life, and grains remain frozen in place. This early shift may be subtle — but it could shape the market mood for the weeks ahead.

BEEF: The post-holiday slide is officially over, and beef is turning back up sooner than expected. Middle meats are leading the shift, with the rest of the complex quietly following. Any values left may not stick around long.

POULTRY: Chicken keeps climbing as strong demand meets steady production. With avian flu still present and prices already moving, this market looks set to stay on the offensive for a bit.

GRAINS: Grains remain stuck in neutral, weighed down by plenty of supply and no clear catalyst. Until something changes, this market looks content to wait.

PORK: The window for cheap bellies has closed, and bacon prices are setting up for a steady spring climb. Pork still offers value — but the direction is starting to shift.

DAIRY: Butter finally found its footing, and dairy may be ready to turn the corner. Whether this is the start of a rebound or just a pause is the next story to watch.

Savalfoods.com | Find us on Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

January is doing what it does best – pulling markets in opposite directions. Beef splits between falling middle meats and rising end cuts, chicken prices wake up, pork stays a value, grains soften, and dairy pushes into rare territory. These early-year moves may look quiet, but they’re setting up what comes next.

BEEF: The New Year split continues — middle meats are sliding while end cuts quietly climb. With Valentine’s Day approaching and demand holding steady, this market is setting up for its next turn sooner than it looks.

POULTRY: Chicken prices are officially on the move, led by breasts with wings and tenders following close behind. Add a slipping hatch rate and ongoing avian flu cases, and this value market may not stay cheap for long.

GRAINS: Grain prices took another step lower as supply keeps growing faster than demand. Great news for feeders, but these markets are still searching for a spark.

PORK: Pork remains one of the strongest values on the board, even as prices begin to inch higher. With steady production ahead, this quiet strength could be telling.

DAIRY: Dairy keeps pushing lower into territory we haven’t seen since the pandemic. Whether this creates short-term opportunity or signals something deeper is the question worth watching.

Savalfoods.com | Find us on Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

The calendar flipped, and the markets followed. Beef is splitting seasonally, chicken is finally waking up, pork remains a value with signs of strength, grains won’t budge, and dairy keeps testing new lows. This is the quiet part of the year where small shifts now can mean big moves later.

BEEF: The New Year reset is in full swing — middle meats are sliding fast while roasts and grinds quietly push higher. This seasonal split is right on schedule. The question is which side of the market you want to be on before January wraps up.

POULTRY: After weeks of waiting, chicken prices are finally turning higher, led by breasts and now wings as the playoff season kicks in. With avian flu still very much in play, this market may not give buyers much time to react.

GRAINS: Grain prices remain stuck in neutral, offering continued relief for protein markets. Until something breaks the pattern, this quiet stretch looks firmly in place.

PORK: Pork remains one of the best values on the board, but signs of strength are starting to show. Bellies are holding steady for now — the next move feels closer than it looks.

DAIRY: Butter has hit a five-year low while cheese shows hints of stabilizing. It’s a rare pricing moment that may not stick around long.

Savalfoods.com | Find us on Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn