U.S. retail price of ground beef 1995-2020
The retail price of 100% ground beef in the United States has risen significantly in the last two decades. In 2020, a pound of ground beef cost 3.95 U.S. dollars, up from 2.41 U.S. dollars in 2008. The price of ground beef peaked in 2014 at 4.16 U.S. dollars per pound and has since decreased.
Cattle and beef production in the U.S.
In 2018, there were over 30 million beef cows in the United States. Compared to sheep, pigs, and chickens, cows are very expensive to raise and require much more water, feed, and land per calorie generated. Though beef production fluctuates from year to year, there has been a positive trend in beef production in the last several years in the United States.
U.S. beef market
In terms of retail sales, beef is the leading type of fresh meat in the United States. On average, beef generates about 19 thousand U.S. dollars in sales per store per week, compared to approximately 10 thousand dollars for chicken, and less than five thousand dollars for pork. As of 2019, per capita consumption of beef in the United States amounted to about 57 pounds per year, down from 67.5 pounds in the year 2000.
Cattle and beef production in the U.S.
In 2018, there were over 30 million beef cows in the United States. Compared to sheep, pigs, and chickens, cows are very expensive to raise and require much more water, feed, and land per calorie generated. Though beef production fluctuates from year to year, there has been a positive trend in beef production in the last several years in the United States.
U.S. beef market
In terms of retail sales, beef is the leading type of fresh meat in the United States. On average, beef generates about 19 thousand U.S. dollars in sales per store per week, compared to approximately 10 thousand dollars for chicken, and less than five thousand dollars for pork. As of 2019, per capita consumption of beef in the United States amounted to about 57 pounds per year, down from 67.5 pounds in the year 2000.
