Beef demand continues strong in 2025 

The all-fresh retail beef price for January was $8.15 a pound, up 4.3% year over year. All Fresh Beef retail prices have averaged 5.2% higher month over month for the last year leading to retail All Fresh Beef prices for the past 12 months at a record average level of $8.27/lb. Per-capita beef consumption in 2024 was unexpectedly higher at 59.7 lbs. as a result of constant domestic beef production and larger net imports of beef. The combination of increased beef consumption and higher prices indicates stronger beef demand.  

All Fresh Beef retail prices continue to increase relative to pork and broiler prices as shown in Figure 1. For the past 12 months, the average ratio of All Fresh Beef to broiler retail prices has been 3.31 and for beef to pork prices has been 1.65. Retail broiler prices were unchanged year over year in January while retail pork prices were up 3.3% from one year ago. 

Wholesale Choice beef cutout prices have averaged 11.8% higher year over year for the first six weeks of 2025. Prices are higher for all primals with stronger prices for end meats relative to middle meats. Prices for rib primals are up 9.2% year over year with loins prices up 4.6% compared to the first six weeks on year ago. Chuck prices are 14.8% higher and round primal prices are up 22.3% year over year. 

Prices for most wholesale beef cuts are higher thus far in 2025 compared to one year ago (Table 1). Most steak prices are higher, including strip loins and ribeye. The most notable exception is weaker prices for tenderloin in recent weeks. Strong prices numerous lean carcass cuts, primarily from the round, are supported by increased grinding demand for ground beef production. — Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist 

Table 1. Wholesale beef prices, selected products, six-week average.