Supply issues push up meat costs

It’s not just the weather and barbeques that are sizzling this summer,
some meat prices are sizzling hot too, with beef at a record high
and other meats seeing lofty increases in recent years

U.S. GROUND CHUCK
BEEF ($ per pound)
Closely watched
economic indicator

2015
2025

3
4
5
6
7

JAN 2015
$4.38

FEB 2017
$3.55

JUN 2020
$5.33
(COVID)

MAY 2025
$6.02

RISING ANIMAL PROTEIN COSTS, 2000-2025 (%)

Q1
2000
Q1
02
Q1
04
Q1
06
Q1
08
Q1
2010
Q1
02
Q1
04
Q1
06
Q1
08
Q1
2020
Q1
02
Q1
04

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
-50

Beef
Chicken
Pork
Lamb

Beef and chicken
have trebled in
price since 2025

Q1 2025
223%
203%
51%
13%

Source: Bloomberg Picture: Paul Hermann (Unsplash)
© GRAPHIC NEWS