The price of beef is a longer story than inflation alone.
Beef prices are not explained by one policy or one grocery-store decision.
The U.S. cattle herd remains historically tight after years of drought, high feed costs, and herd reduction. Beef then has to move through processing, transport, packaging, and retail before it reaches a customer.
Imports may shift part of the supply picture. They do not rebuild a herd overnight. That is why the price of beef has become a longer story than inflation alone.
