National Drought Mitigation Center
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National Drought Mitigation Center
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High beef prices nationwide after years of drought
7/8/2025 5:40:14 PM



CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
AFFECTED AREAS:
Alaska
Alabama
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Maryland
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
North Carolina
North Dakota
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
Nevada
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
West Virginia
Wyoming

Start Date: 7/8/2025 -  
Ground beef prices have risen 45% over the last 10 years, compared with roughly 30% for general inflation. The high prices are largely due to years of drought causing ranchers to sell off their cattle, with the national herd now at 27.8 million - the smallest it's been since the 1960's, despite population growth in the US. Severe drought in the western US from 2021-2024 led to substantial sell-offs and herds have not yet recovered, so demand currently outpaces supply. Grain prices, interest rates, and tariffs have also driven up the price. CBS News (New York) July 8, 2025.
Sources