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Beef Demand Continues Strong in 2025
Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist
 
The all-fresh retail beef price for January was $8.15/lb., up 4.3 percent year over year.  All-fresh beef retail prices have averaged 5.2 percent higher month over month for the last year leading to retail all-fresh beef prices for the past twelve months at a record average level of $8.27/lb.  Per capita beef consumption in 2024 was unexpectedly higher at 59.7 pounds 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 retail beef prices continue to increase relative to pork and broiler prices as shown in Figure 1.  For the past twelve 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 percent from one year ago.
 
A graph showing retail meat price ratio AI-generated content may be incorrect. 
Wholesale Choice beef cutout prices have averaged 11.8 percent 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 percent year over year with loins prices up 4.6 percent compared to the first six weeks on year ago.  Chuck prices are 14.8 percent higher and round primal prices are up 22.3 percent 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.  
  
Table 1.  Wholesale Beef Prices, Selected Products, Six Week Average
 
Primal
Product
IMPS
Price
% Change from one year ago
Chuck
Top Blade
114D
$503.65
14.0
 
Arm Roast
114E
$519.43
31.5
 
Petite Tender
114F
$556.54
-23.4
 
Mock Tender
116B
$400.14
26.8
 
Chuck Flap
116G
$792.23
-4.0
Brisket
Brisket
120A
$644.40
2.5
Round
Knuckle
167A
$413.40
25.1
 
Top Inside Round
168
$381.33
27.6
 
Bottom Round
170
$380.81
19.3
 
Outside Round
171B
$389.65
13.7
 
Eye of Round
171C
$393.33
16.4
Loin
Strip Loin
180
$890.80
14.1
 
Top Butt Sirloin
184
$425.05
7.1
 
Tri-Tip
185D
$656.92
16.2
 
Tenderloin
189A
$1262.33
-9.1
Flank
Flank
193
$581.55
8.9
Rib
Ribeye
112A
$1020.09
3.2
Trim
90 % Lean Trim
 
$358.09
25.3
 
50 % Lean Trim
 
$110.50
26.7
   
Derrell Peel, OSU Extension livestock marketing specialist, looks at how cattle markets are performing one month into the new year on SunUpTV from February 8, 2025 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llgALnrsyB4&list=PLglOSpV-TcadvUT94k2ZDaOvQF9BRvTGs&index=1

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