Texas Brisket Hits $6.55 a Pound as Cattle Herd Falls to 75-Year Low
Updated
Updated · KTRK-TV · Jun 6
Texas Brisket Hits $6.55 a Pound as Cattle Herd Falls to 75-Year Low
3 articles · Updated · KTRK-TV · Jun 6
Summary
$6.55 per pound prime brisket is squeezing Texas barbecue restaurants, up from under $5 just three months ago and raising fears of more closures.
A 75-year low in the U.S. cattle herd is driving the surge as drought forced ranchers to sell animals, while beef demand has stayed strong.
Ranchers say recent rain is helping, but rebuilding herds takes years, and one cattle owner expects elevated prices to last another four to five years.
For Texas pitmasters, the spike is hitting a core state staple, pushing some to steer customers toward pork, chicken and turkey while trying to keep brisket on menus.