U.S. Beef Hits Record $9.64 a Pound as Cattle Herd Shrinks to 75-Year Low
Updated
Updated · WSBT-TV · May 21
U.S. Beef Hits Record $9.64 a Pound as Cattle Herd Shrinks to 75-Year Low
2 articles · Updated · WSBT-TV · May 21
April’s average U.S. retail price for all-fresh beef reached a record $9.64 per pound, with businesses saying ground beef has climbed from about $4.00-$4.20 to more than $6.00 in four to five months.
The surge reflects tight supply and higher costs: the U.S. cattle herd is the smallest in 75 years, while transportation expenses, tariffs and strong consumer demand are also pushing prices higher.
Restaurants and other food businesses are now raising menu prices after initially absorbing the increases, saying the jump has become too large to manage without passing on some costs.
Consumers are likely to keep feeling the squeeze at grocery stores and restaurants, with beef prices expected to continue rising across the supply chain.
With cattle herds at a 70-year low, is the era of affordable American beef over for good?
As new dietary guidelines clash with health warnings, what is the true cost of America's protein obsession?
Can the growing plant-based market solve a beef crisis that new land policies may not fix?
2026 Beef Price Crisis: Antitrust Probes, Supply Shocks, and the Future of American Protein
Overview
In May 2026, consumers are facing sharply higher beef prices, prompting a major antitrust investigation by the Texas Attorney General and the Department of Justice. This probe targets the four largest meatpackers, who control over 85% of the U.S. beef processing market. The investigation seeks to determine if these companies have used their significant market power to lower prices paid to cattle ranchers while raising prices for consumers, allowing them to reap enormous profits. This situation highlights concerns about market concentration and its impact on both ranchers and families across the country.