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Beef prices in the United States continue to reach record highs, but demand for popular Main food for summer barbecue Still powerful – prompting shoppers, farmers and restaurants to adapt.
One pound of ground beef costs $6.67 July 4th The weekend marks the highest beef price ever recorded by the group, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).
Since May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that it soared 16% from the same period last year, while nearly 50% surged by nearly 70 cents five years ago.
“The main factors for our higher beef prices this year are driven by supply, demand, and financial factors such as higher interest rates,” said Paul Savage, director of merchandise at Chicago-based Arrowstream, which provides supply chain technology. Go to the restaurant.
The main driving force behind the price increase is the shrinking bull herd.
The price of ground beef soared by 16% compared to last year. (iStock)
According to the AFBF, the country’s cattle herd has dropped to 86.7 million, the lowest since 1951.
Long-term drought in cattle-raising states such as Texas, Kansas and Nebraska destroyed grazing pastures, forcing many farmers to seize their cattle.
Meanwhile, tariffs and ongoing trade disruptions make cattle production more expensive.
In addition, the case New World Screwworm – A parasitic fly whose insects drill into beef meat and feed on livestock – although the USDA said some ports may reopen soon, they are imported into the United States from Mexico.
The United States imports most cattle from Mexico and Canada.
“The rising cost of ground beef is a perfect example of how global trade dynamics and domestic supply restrictions collide,” Robert Khachatryan, founder and CEO of California-based freight right global logistics, told Fox News Digital.
Texas produces the most cattle in the United States, followed by Nebraska and Kansas. (Eric Gay/AP photo)
“Transporting cattle often involves multiple off-road movements between birth, feedlot and processing, and cattle costs are getting higher and higher due to fuel fluctuations and ongoing driver shortages in the freight sector,” Kachatrian said.
“Every leg of the journey is more expensive from ranch to processors to shelves, and the accumulated pressure comes just in the price.”
The USDA predicts that cattle prices will remain until 2026, meaning retail beef prices may not fall within a few years. Still, it’s American The second choice for meatAccording to the USDA, each person consumes nearly 57 pounds of pounds per year.
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Despite factors such as population growth, the benefits and popularity of food aid have been recently expanded High protein diet The demand for promotion is slightly higher, and overall consumption has not increased significantly.
“We produce roughly the same beef we had in 2015, but given the high population, the supply is high.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. population reached 340.1 million in July 2024, up from 336.8 million in the previous year, the highest year-on-year increase since 2001.
Some grocery stores are pushing for beef mixtures and other alternatives to expensive beef. (iStock)
Last year, the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits increased for many recipients, but the president Donald Trump’s “Big and Beautiful Bills” include cuts to the plan.
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“It is possible that lower interest rates (for farmers) will help, and changes to the recently announced SNAP plan may also help lower prices,” he said. “But this won’t happen overnight.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. is importing more beef from Australia, New Zealand and Brazil and limiting beef exports to other countries to help stabilize supply, Savage said. Farmers are also growing larger animals to offset the harvest of lower cattle.
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“The weight of the bull is actually the highest level this year,” he said.
As for the 130,000 ArrowSteam-served restaurants, many people swap expensive steaks for value-friendly choices and Change menu recipes He said that cheaper protein should be included.
With the restaurant working, customers are looking for cheap meat to add budget-friendly options. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)
Savage said shoppers are looking for more affordable cuts such as Chuck, Round and Top-Roof Cow Lo, although it costs far more than quality options like strip steak.
According to Khachatryan, some grocery chains tend to be beef and pork mixtures, chicken-centric products and seasonal promotions, turning to shoppers to more affordable proteins.
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Other costs Meat options including chicken Always more stable.
According to AFBF, pork chops have the lowest price, with an average price of $14.13 for three pounds, 9% lower than in 2024.
