Sticker shock at the meat counter isn’t your imagination — beef prices have jumped as much as 40% in three years, according to Spectrum News 1. Industry expert Andrew Coppin says drought across North America’s rangelands has shrunk cattle supply, while strong demand for premium cuts keeps pressure on prices.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports many beef cuts have risen more than $1 per pound since 2025. Ranchers often raise cattle for steaks and higher-end products, not ground beef, which limits flexibility in supply.
To ease costs, the Trump administration will allow 80,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings from Argentina tariff-free. Experts say that equals less than 1% of total U.S. consumption.
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