Why beef prices are higher than ever (and shoppers are finally resisting) [View all]

What's the item?

Ground beef

How has the price changed since before the pandemic?

Up 51% since February 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why has the price gone up?

It's the law of supply and demand. America's beef cattle herd is the smallest in 75 years, in part because of drought. But Americans' love of hamburgers and steaks has kept demand strong — until recently.

In July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture continued to record a shrinking number of U.S. cattle and calves, forecasting that beef production would decline 4% over this year and another 2% in 2026.

https://www.npr.org/2025/09/18/nx-s1-5534424/beef-prices-record-high-cost