Food costs jumped last month, and it is not just eggs that are taking a bigger bite out of your pocket.
Yesterday’s CPI report showed the cost of cooking meals at home jumped half a percent last month. On the year, grocery prices are up just shy of two percent.
Eggs have been more expensive recently, but meats also saw a jump. Bacon now costs four percent more than last month and is up six percent on the year. Beef also saw a rise, gaining five-and-a-half percent on the year.
Related Stories
RFD Farm Legal & Tax expert Roger McEowen shares guidance on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, its impact on renewable energy and agriculture, and what producers should know moving forward.
Border closures tied to the threat of New World Screwworm continue to stall Mexican fed cattle imports, tightening U.S. feeder cattle supplies over time — triggering feedlot closures that hinder herd rebuilding efforts, threaten the beef supply chain, and shrink production while consumer prices stay elevated.
The debate now matters as much as the policy — market rules and regulatory clarity depend on whether Congress can finish the bill this year.
Domestic beef demand remains solid, with the strongest growth occurring through retail channels, according to consumers surveyed in the latest K-State Meat Demand Monitor.
Stronger fuel demand supports corn usage despite a steady production pace.
Fed cattle numbers are down two percent in February, according to the latest USDA report. Marketings fell 13 percent, signaling continued pressure on beef prices in 2026.
