If you’ve bought hamburger or steak lately, you’ve probably felt a sting on the wallet.
Beef prices just hit record highs — and experts say don’t expect a break anytime soon.
In June, the average price of ground beef hit $6.23 per pound, up nearly 7.5% from a year ago.
Steaks jumped to $11.49 per pound, an 8% increase, according to national data.
And locally, prices are a little higher:
- At Kroger, 80/20 ground beef is going for $6.68 per pound
- Walmart is asking $6.93 for the same cut
- At The Butcher & Market in downtown Bellefontaine, it’s $6.99 per pound
While local butcher prices are slightly higher, many shoppers say they’re willing to pay a little more to support small, local businesses — especially when it means fresher cuts and personalized service.
Why are our prices higher here?
It seems like the national average may be a little skewed, as it doessn’t specify the fat content of the meat.
And it was hard to get a definite answer from the big box stores, but Delanie Logan from The Butcher and Market says,
“Our ground beef is made in-house, contains no additives or dyes, and is ground the day before it hits our shelves and is sold within the next few days due to its popularity. Our beef is processed and sold by Logan County families, and when customers shop with us, they’re supporting local jobs and local families. To me, those few extra cents is a small price to pay to keep money circulating in the community and deliver a product we’re proud of.”
Beef has been getting more expensive for years, mostly because there are fewer cattle — and demand hasn’t slowed down.
The U.S. cattle herd keeps shrinking.
As of January, there were 86.7 million cattle and calves, the lowest number since 1951.
That’s down 8% from a peak in 2019.
Why? A few reasons:
- Drought has dried out pastures, making it harder and more expensive to feed cattle
- Feed prices have been high, pushing ranchers to sell off more animals sooner
- Many ranchers have sold female cows that would normally be kept for breeding, helping the short-term supply but shrinking future herds
Cattle prices are also way up, with animals selling for over $230 per hundred pounds.
For now, whether you’re shopping at a chain store or supporting a local butcher, expect to pay more.
