If you’ve noticed the price of ground beef creeping up at the store, you’re not alone. Over the past few years, the cost has changed quite a bit, affecting how much you pay for your favorite meals like burgers and tacos.
Since 2020, ground beef prices have increased significantly, with an overall rise of around 51%. This shift reflects changes in supply, demand, and other factors that have influenced the market since then.
Ground beef prices have surged 51% since pre-pandemic February 2020.
If you’ve noticed your grocery bill getting higher, you’re not imagining things. Ground beef prices have jumped 51% since early 2020.
A big reason is supply and demand. The beef cattle herd in the U.S. is the smallest it’s been in 75 years, partly due to drought.
At the same time, people kept craving hamburgers and steaks, which kept demand high for a long time. That’s pushed prices up quite a bit.
Prices hit record highs above $6 per pound since mid-2025
Since mid-2025, ground beef prices have climbed above $6 per pound for the first time in decades. This is something you probably noticed at the store, where your usual grocery bill might feel a bit heavier.
The main reasons are smaller cattle herds and higher costs for feed. These factors limit the amount of beef available, pushing prices up. You can expect these higher prices to stick around for a while, affecting both households and businesses.
Higher tariffs on imports from Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil contribute to price hikes
You’ve probably noticed that ground beef prices have gone up a lot since 2020. One reason is higher tariffs on imports from Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. These countries are big exporters of beef to the U.S., and tariffs make their products more expensive.
When tariffs increase, importers pay more to bring in beef, which usually means those costs get passed on to you. So, you end up paying more at the store.
Plus, some of these countries have filled their beef import quotas, limiting supply. That also pushes prices higher, especially when demand stays steady or grows.
Supply and demand imbalance is a major factor driving costs up.
You’ve probably noticed how ground beef prices have jumped recently. A big reason is that demand for beef remains strong, but supply can’t keep up.
There are fewer workers and production bottlenecks, which means less beef makes it to stores. When supply stays limited but you still want plenty, prices naturally go up.
So, if you’re wondering why your usual grocery run is costing more, it’s largely because of this supply and demand mismatch. The market just hasn’t caught up yet.
Increased production costs for beef farmers impact retail prices
You might notice your ground beef costs more because farmers are paying higher prices to raise cattle. Things like drought and expensive feed make it harder and costlier to keep herds healthy.
With fewer cattle available, farmers sometimes have to send more female cows for slaughter instead of keeping them to grow their herds. This helps short-term supply but tightens the overall cattle inventory.
All these challenges mean farmers’ costs go up, and those costs show up in the store prices you see. So, when you pay more, it’s not just demand—it’s also what it’s costing to produce the beef.
Consumers saw a 14% price increase since January 2025 alone.
If you’ve bought ground beef this year, you’ve likely noticed it getting more expensive. Since January 2025, prices have jumped about 14%. That’s a pretty big chunk for just a few months.
One reason is the smaller beef cattle herd, which hasn’t been this low in 75 years. Droughts have also made things tougher for farmers. So, when demand stays steady but supply drops, prices climb.
Ground beef prices rose 26% from January to September 2025.
If you’ve noticed higher prices at the store this year, you’re not imagining things. Ground beef jumped about 26% from January to September 2025. That’s a pretty big hike to swallow in just nine months.
For example, in September, the average price was over $6.30 per pound. This rise makes ground beef less affordable for many shoppers. It’s partly due to supply shortages and increased costs along the production chain. So, if you’re budgeting for meals, you might want to plan around these rising prices.
Retailers and restaurants are marking up prices to cover additional costs.
You’ve probably noticed your grocery bill rising, especially for ground beef. Retailers are raising prices not just because of higher production costs but also to keep up with inflation and other overhead expenses.
Restaurants are doing the same, often marking up beef dishes more than the actual cost increase. This helps them cover labor shortages, supply chain delays, and shipping issues that have pushed prices up.
So when you pay more for that burger or steak, it’s not just the meat itself getting pricier—there’s a lot more behind the scenes affecting what you see on the menu or shelf.
Uncooked beef steaks also jumped by 16.6%, influencing overall meat prices.
You might have noticed that uncooked beef steaks have gotten pricier. In fact, their cost rose by 16.6%, making a noticeable impact on what you pay at the store.
This increase adds pressure on other meat prices too. As steaks get more expensive, it pushes the general cost of beef upward.
So, when you’re shopping for meat, it helps to be aware that steaks aren’t the only reason prices are climbing. They’re part of a bigger shift in the beef market.
Experts suggest swapping beef for other proteins to save money
If you’ve noticed your grocery bill going up, you’re not alone. Ground beef prices have climbed a lot since 2020, hitting record highs. Experts say switching to other proteins can help you save cash.
Plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and peas are cheaper options you can try. They’re also good for your health and the environment.
You don’t have to go meatless completely. Even swapping just one beef meal a day with a plant-based or alternative protein can make a difference in your spending.
