Americans are tightening grocery budgets as food costs stay high.
Circana data shows beef is holding strong, making up more than half of fresh meat sales, which is good news for cattle producers.
Meanwhile, plant-based alternatives are starting to lose ground. In-store branded products are on the rise as shoppers hunt for deals and value.
People are shopping more often but buying less each trip, and many are blending grocery runs with dining out while trying to cut food waste.
Beef demand at the grocery store is not just showing up on the shelves.
Cull cow prices are hitting record highs as tight cattle supplies and strong ground beef demand push markets higher.
The National price for 85% lean cull cow topped $300 per hundred pounds last week.
USDA reports retail ground beef prices also hit record levels in June.
Higher U.S. tariffs on Brazilian beef could mean fewer imports, which helps support domestic cull cow prices.
Producers could now have a choice: sell now or hold cows for next year’s calves. If more cows are slaughtered, it could slow herd rebuilding into 2026.
Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
January 20, 2026 02:47 PM
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Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.
January 19, 2026 01:00 PM
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A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
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China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
January 13, 2026 02:13 PM
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Structural efficiency supports cattle prices and resilience — breaking it risks higher costs and greater volatility.
January 13, 2026 08:00 AM
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Strong pork demand and improving beef exports outside China support protein markets despite ongoing trade barriers.
January 13, 2026 06:00 AM
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Protein markets are fragmenting. Beef is supply-driven and more structurally expensive, whereas pork and poultry remain price-competitive.
January 10, 2026 07:00 AM
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Tight fed supplies shift margin risk to packers, strengthening cattle price leverage but increasing volatility.
January 09, 2026 03:36 PM
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Reduced winter placements indicate tighter fed cattle supplies and greater leverage during peak-demand months.
January 09, 2026 06:00 AM
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