Americans are seeing less beef produced domestically as cattle numbers decline, adding pressure to a market already facing high prices.
US commercial beef production totaled about 14.4 billion pounds from January through July 2026, down from roughly 15.2 billion pounds during the same period last year, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.
The number of cattle commercially slaughtered also declined, falling from about 17.5 million during the first seven months of 2025 to 16.2 million during the same period this year, USDA data shows.
The US both imports and exports beef (which almost doesn't make sense), with trade patterns influenced by domestic production, consumer demand and global markets.





Too many vaccinated democrats to switch to eating them instead of beef.
ReplyDeleteThe US both imports and exports beef (which doesn't make sense)
ReplyDeleteIt does when you consider that there are differing qualities of meat. Good quality meat is produced in the US and gets a premium price. Lower quality meat, used for burgers and ground beef, is imported. Due to US laws it is not cost effective to produce lower quality meat there. Quality meat gets a premium which makes it viable.
I have a rule. If something is fucked up then the government has a finger in the pie somewhere. Everything they touch they screw up.
Also having the Midwest in a drought since 2024 (some areas even longer) cuts down on how many head of cattle you can run on an acre of grassland. If and when the drought ends, it will take about three years before an increase in beef at the supermarket would be seen.
ReplyDeleteI have 1/4 interest in a Black Angus steer that is about 1000 pounds and he needs to gain another 400 to 500 lbs. I am being asked if I want in on another 1/4 interest in a another calf. I like having a nephew that has a farm. Fresh tastes better.
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