Beef Prices

Beef Prices

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett

This Fourth of July there is plenty of beef available at supermarkets.

But a report from the USDA says the retail price this year isn’t what it’s been.

Shayle Shagam, USDA Livestock analyst says while you will see some specials on beef this week you probably won’t see the kinds of discounts you’ve seen in previous summers.

Shagam: “ The amount of feature activity relative to a year ago remains low.”

On the bright side, Colorado consumers don’t have to be concerned about beef shortages.

Production of beef for the first two weeks of June was 1% higher than it was in June 2019. But wholesale prices for beef soared in May in part because of slow downs in production due to COVID-19. Stores usually sign contracts for purchases a month in advance so they are stuck with the higher prices and can’t discount as much as they have in the past.

So how much are we paying for beef this 4th of July? Nationwide, beef loin cuts are averaging about $9.81 per pound compared to about $7.90 last July.

Ground beef is averaging about $4.12 per pound this week. A pound of ground chuck a year ago cost about $3.18.

In Denver and Colorado Springs, a quick check of retail prices shows consumers will pay around $5.49 /pound for Ground beef and $8.49/pound for Top Loin.

The USDA also reminds grillers that the Meat and Poultry Hotline is staffed on the 4th for questions about food safety. The number is 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854)

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