Drastically declining cattle inventories have made ground beef retail prices in the U.S. 13% dearer August 2025 than a year back. This is according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report.
By August, prices of steak and minced beef had surged by 16.6% and 12.8%, respectively, year-on-year (y-o-y).
The two figures excel the annual inflation climbs for general food at 3.2% and that for all meat at 5.4% since August 2024.
The Federal Reserve’s retail average for ground beef in August 2025 hit $6.318 per 454 grams, the highest since 1985.
Contributing market factors include high demand and a possibility that the federal beef output could dip 4% y-o-y in 2025.
Some studies also reveal that beef production will reduce by an extra 2% in 2026, increasing economic pressure.
On the long haul, steak rates hiked by 41% from July 2020 through August 2025 while mince beef upped by 48%.
Cashing in on a Declining Herd
Meanwhile, the national cattle population decline to 94 million head by July 2025 is profiting ranchers. They are reportedly getting astronomical $700 profit per head from just $2/head in profits in 2020.
Those selling their cattle through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-verified programs are getting extra profits.
In July 2025 when beef rates were surging, choice Angus calves with grain-fed parents were fetching $1,000 a head.
By September, feeder cattle selling through USDA-verified value-added programs were generating $74 extra profit per head over commodity cattle.
So, as the American herd shrinks and as consumer appetite ticks up, beef retail rates and cattle prices continue to edge up. The below statistics examine these rates from either a beef price or inflation index perspective for Q1-3, 2025.
United States 2025 Retail Beef Price and Index Statistics
Between January and August 2025, the United States recorded relentless appreciation in its main beef categories, namely ground beef and steak. The retail rates of ground beef rose by between $0.08 and $0.1/kg monthly. The below table, via the Federal Reserve, puts the consecutive monthly rises into perspective:
| Month [2025] | Retail price [per pound] |
| August | $6.32 |
| July | $6.25 |
| June | $6.12 |
| May | $5.98 |
| April | $5.80 |
| March | $5.79 |
| February | $5.63 |
| January | $5.55 |
Meanwhile, the beef price index for the steak category was edging by at least 22.7% for the July 2020-August 2025 timeline. The below data, via the Visual Capitalist, puts this into perspective:
| Month [2025] | Index gain since July 2020 |
| August | 40.5% |
| July | 36.5% |
| June | 32.1% |
| May | 26.8% |
| April | 27.8% |
| March | 26.2% |
| February | 24.9% |
| January | 25.4% |