Downsizing Our Beef Budget

 Research from the National Cattleman’s Beef Association indicates that consumers are trading down in their cuisine. Traci Odonnell, Executive Director of the Idaho Beef Council explains: “Consumers are changing their shopping behaviors in response to the higher prices and the recessionary pressures that they’re feeling. What our research from a study done in November shows is that 61% of the consumers polled indicated that they’re changing their shopping behaviors due to economic pressures. Of that 61%, 29% of them have reported that they’re trading down in the category and what’s more alarming is that we see that 24% of them indicated that they’re trading out of the category to lower price meal options like grains or cereals or things of that nature.”

 Are you saying that people are walking away from beef and going to catsup sandwiches?

 (Odonnell)  “Unfortunately, there are some that are doing that which  is alarming for us as beef producers because we do like to reassure customers and consumers that no matter what their price point or their price sensitivity that they’re feeling that there is a beef option available to them.”

 And many of those who are choosing to go out to eat are still watching their wallets.

(Odonnell) “If you typically spend $25 on your menu item, you’re gonna trade down to something that’s $20 or $18 as far as a menu choice.”