Overview

• Ground beef reached an average of $6.12 per pound and steak hit $11.49, marking the steepest grocery price increases in decades.
• The US cattle herd fell to 86.7 million, its smallest size since 1951, tightening domestic beef output.
• Beef imports from Mexico have resumed after a screwworm-related ban, but proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and Brazil threaten future shipments.
• USDA forecasts show domestic production slowing in the second half of 2025 while beef imports rise through 2026 to fill the supply gap.
• Walmart’s new case-ready facility in Olathe, Kansas, exemplifies industry moves to streamline processing and manage costs.