According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average retail price for beef climbed to $9.64 a pound in April — up roughly 13% from last year. CBS News Miami | May 2026

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average retail price for beef climbed to $9.64 a pound in April — up roughly 13% from last year.

Credit: CBS News Miami | May 2026

Beef prices hit a national record in April, rising as much as 17% in the last year, and for many Georgia households, who routinely buy ground beef as a staple, this price spike is creating a genuine budget crisis.

According to USDA Economic Research Service data, the average price for beef hit a record $9.64 per pound in April with steaks averaging $13.02, compounding the nation’s affordability crisis.

 

Why are prices so high?

The U.S. is navigating the smallest cattle herd in 75 years, which is the core of the problem but a result of many factors.

American beef consumption is significantly outpacing domestic production and this plays a significant role in prices. USDA project beef use at 29 billion pounds versus 25 billion pounds of production.

This is a gap of almost 4 billion pounds.

USDA projects 2026 total U.S. beef use at 29.38 billion pounds, while production is forecast at 25.55 billion pounds.

Contributing factors: 

  • Years of drought
  • Elevated operating costs
  • Disease and
  • Herd liquidation

 

How does this affect Georgia?

The state beef industry includes roughly 1 million head of cattle, operates in all 159 counties, and contributes about $1 billion or more to the state economy depending on the year and source.

Georgia feeder cattle prices started the year at historically high levels and continued to climb before leveling off, according to University of Georgia beef economists.

 

Factors creating local volatility:

  • Cattle slaughter and beef production are levels from a year ago
  • Carcass weights are up
  • Uncertainty around beef import policy
  • Potential reopening of the U.S.-Mexico

 

What prices like for other meats?

While beef prices are high, other proteins are not as affected.

USDA projections suggest consumers will buy more chicken as the cheaper option, predicting a 26% rise from 10 years ago.

  • Pork chops averaged $4.33 per pound: up just 9 cents from last year
  • Boneless skinless chicken breast averaged $4.17 per pound in April: down a penny

 

What can shoppers do?

Although prices on beef may stabilize for a while, they won’t come down any time soon. It could be 2028 before herd supplies recover.

In the meantime:

  • Swap beef-heavy recipes for pork chops or chicken breasts
  • Watch for holiday sales and stock up on preferred cuts.
  • Buy in bulk or family packs
  • Consider chuck roast or beef shoulder as alternatives to steaks

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Tags: Georgia  economy  beef  cattle  Economic crises  price increase