U.S. May Inflation Tops 4% as Beef Hits $6.90 a Pound on 75-Year Low Herds
Updated
Updated · WRAL News · Jun 16
U.S. May Inflation Tops 4% as Beef Hits $6.90 a Pound on 75-Year Low Herds
2 articles · Updated · WRAL News · Jun 16
Summary
May consumer prices rose more than 4% from a year earlier, with beef far outpacing overall inflation and retail ground beef climbing 19% since March 2025 to $6.90 per pound.
A 75-year low in U.S. cattle supply is driving the surge after prolonged drought forced herd sell-offs, while tariffs on steel, aluminum and fertilizer lifted costs for ranchers and feed producers.
Restaurants are getting squeezed first: Smash Masters said wholesale ground beef rose another 20 cents a pound in the past week, forcing cuts elsewhere as some customers balk at menu prices.
Ranchers are only now seeing the upside, with one North Carolina farm getting $2 more per pound for cattle than a year ago even as drought still strains its 350-acre operation.
Economists expect beef prices to stay elevated through next summer, with summer grilling demand holding up for now before consumers may shift toward cheaper proteins such as chicken.