US beef prices reached a record high in June, soaring above $6.05 per pound of ground beef in the Northeast. This marks a significant jump from May, with prices increasing by over 10% and nearly 3.4%. The price surge is attributed to long-term supply issues, including declining herd sizes due to climate change.
The nation’s smallest cattle herd since 1951, herds have been shrinking for decades. Drought conditions in parts of the country have further exacerbated the shortage, forcing farmers to reduce their herds and leading to a lack of recovery in cattle headcount.
However, some relief is coming in the form of falling egg prices. The average price for a dozen eggs in US cities dropped nearly 17% between May and June, reaching $3.78. While still higher than last year, this represents a significant decrease from its peak.
The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that overall inflation remained steady at 2.7% in June, down from its peak of over 9% in 2022 but above the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%.
Source: https://www.syracuse.com/data/2025/08/is-beef-the-new-eggs-prices-hit-a-record-high-in-june-syracusecom-grocery-price-tracker.html