Livestock Marketing Information Center
In The Cattle Markets
Updated: 7/21/2025
Beef Price Seasonality
The recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) that reported retail beef prices hitting new record highs has prompted a lot of questions about when consumers might see lower prices. Of course, we know tighter beef supplies and very good consumer demand are driving prices higher. But beef prices and different cuts have seasonal wholesale market price trends that suggest prices could decline from recent highs.
Livestock Monitor
Updated: 7/18/2025
RETAIL MEAT PRICES
Earlier this week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released inflation data for June. According to the report, core inflation rose +0.3% month over month, translating to a +2.9% increase year over year. In the food category, notable year-over-year gains were recorded across meats, poultry, and dairy, which rose by +5.2%, +3.4%, and +0.9%, respectively.
CHICKEN AND TURKEY INDUSTRIES RIDING POSITIVE CONSUMER DEMAND
Consumer demand for chicken and turkey during the first half of 2025 improved as the year has progressed. Chicken consumption during the first three months of the year was up 140 million pounds from the same quarter in 2024, a slowdown from a 430-million-pound, year-over-year gain in the last quarter of 2024, which was concerning. Wholesale prices for breast meat and leg parts have ranged from firm to strong, however, leading to favorable profit margin comparisons so far this year when compared to a year ago. The preliminary estimate of chicken consumption for the spring quarter indicates an increase of about 250 million pounds from a year earlier.
LOWER COW SLAUGHTER AND HIGHER COW PRICES
Total cow slaughter through the end of June is tracking well below last year’s levels and the five-year average. Year-to-date through June, weekly cow slaughter was down -12%, or about 345 thousand head, to just over 2.5 million head. Looking further into cow slaughter at beef cow and dairy cow slaughter shows year-to-date declines for both categories. Through June, year-to-date weekly beef cow slaughter is showing a strong -17% decline (244 thousand head) to just over 1.2 million head. Dairy cow slaughter, year to date through June, is down -7%, or about 100 thousand head, to nearly 1.3 million head.
Livestock Monitor (pdf)