Beef prices are changing what Americans grill this summer
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Americans are still firing up the barbecue this summer — but high beef prices have them trading down to cheaper proteins like chicken, pork and turkey.
Why it matters: For many Americans, summer means burgers on the grill — and this year, that tradition is getting more expensive.
By the numbers: Nielsen retail data shows ground beef prices up 14% year over year, while USDA data shows average fresh beef prices hit a record $9.64 per pound in April.
- Chicken prices, meanwhile, have remained relatively stable. The average price for boneless skinless chicken breast was about $4.17 per pound in April, according to American Farm Bureau Federation analysis.
The impact: "Recent retail trends suggest some consumers are increasingly shifting toward chicken as a more affordable alternative," Courtney Schmidt, sector manager at the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute, told Axios.
- Tyson Foods said earlier this month that its beef sales volume fell 13% year over year, while chicken sales volume rose 1.7% as consumers shifted toward cheaper proteins.
- Hormel Foods said Thursday that Jennie-O ground turkey posted another quarter of double-digit dollar sales growth as consumers prioritized "affordable protein options."
What they're saying: Meat producers say shoppers are gravitating toward pre-marinated pork, ready-to-cook burgers, grill kits and mid-tier beef cuts that offer more value and convenience.
- People are also getting creative to stretch grilling budgets.
- SupermarketGuru.com editor Phil Lempert told Axios he's hearing some shoppers are blending ground beef with mushrooms or turkey, buying frozen ground beef instead of fresh or grilling more chicken to save money.
Yes, but: Retailers are still heavily promoting ground beef despite higher prices, as burgers remain central to summer grilling, Lempert said.
- Verde Farms told The National Provisioner that skirt steak has become one of the fastest-growing beef cuts in recent weeks as consumers look for cheaper alternatives to premium steaks.
- And premium beef demand hasn't disappeared entirely, either.
Zoom in: John Wood, founder of U.S. Wellness Meats, told Axios that demand for premium steaks like ribeyes and tenderloins remains strong among some customers despite higher prices.
- Costco executives said Thursday that the retailer saw strong demand for both premium beef cuts and lower-cost proteins.
The big picture: Beef prices have climbed after years of drought conditions, shrinking cattle herds and supply pressures, with little expectation for quick relief this summer.
- The U.S. cattle supply is now at its lowest level in 75 years, according to the Farm Bureau.
- USDA forecasts show U.S. beef production falling again in 2026 even as demand remains strong.
What we're watching: Whether consumers fully trade down from beef this summer — or simply buy smaller quantities while still keeping burgers at the center of the cookout.
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