Beef Prices, Oh My 9/15/26

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  September 15, 2026 at 07:00  |  2:20  |  CNBC
Speakers
Jessica Edinger — Anchor
Pippa Stevens — Markets and Energy Reporter, CNBC

Summary

CNBC's Jessica Edinger reports on the high price of beef, driven by the U.S. cattle herd at a 70-year low due to drought, feed costs, and plant-based competition. Beef prices are up 9% year over year, with ground beef near $7 per pound. The Trump administration announced a 90-day tariff reduction on imported beef and proposed rancher-owned processing, but industry pushback and high costs suggest limited relief. Consumers may continue paying more or switch away from beef, while Tyson faces difficult processing economics.

  • U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest level in over 70 years.
  • Beef prices rose 9% over the past year; ground beef approaches $7 per pound.
  • Trump announced a 90-day reduction in tariffs on imported beef to ease prices.
  • Cattlemen's Beef Association criticized flooding the market with subsidized beef.
  • Ranchers are unlikely to build their own slaughterhouses due to high costs.
  • Tyson announced another plant closure amid high input and fixed costs.
  • Consumers may keep paying higher beef prices or switch to alternatives.
Ideas
Jessica Edinger Anchor 1:07
Cattle ranchers profit from tight supply
American cattle ranchers are currently profiting because the U.S. cattle herd is at a 70-year low, keeping beef prices elevated. The tight supply supports rancher economics even though many smaller operators left the business due to drought, feed costs, and plant-based competition.
Cattle ranchers MED
Jessica Edinger Anchor 1:21
Beef prices stay elevated on tight supply
The U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest level in more than 70 years due to drought, high feed costs, and plant-based competition, driving beef prices up 9% over the past year and ground beef near $7 per pound. Tariff relief and proposals for rancher-owned processing are unlikely to fix the supply problem, so consumers are likely to keep paying more or switch away from beef, implying elevated beef prices persist.
COW MED
Jessica Edinger Anchor 1:50
Tyson hurt by high cattle costs
Tyson is facing difficult processing economics: it is paying higher prices for its primary input, cattle, while carrying high fixed costs, and it recently announced another plant closure. This makes the meat processing business unattractive right now.
TSN MED
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This CNBC video, published September 15, 2026, features Jessica Edinger discussing Cattle ranchers, COW, TSN. 3 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Jessica Edinger  · Tickers: Cattle ranchers, COW, TSN