The total beef production in the United States is estimated to be 26.96 billion pounds in 2023, down from 28.29 billion pounds in the previous year. Over the last two decades, the total U.S. beef production has fluctuated slightly but remained stable overall.

Beef retail in the United States Beef has the highest retail sales of any fresh meat in the United States, as of 2021. In that year, over 30 billion U.S. dollars worth of fresh beef were sold in the United States. The retail price for 100 percent ground beef in the United States was 4.8 U.S. dollars per pound in 2022, up from 3.95 U.S. dollars in 2020. Beef brisket, on the other hand, was priced on average around 8.84 U.S. dollars per pound in major grocery retailers.

U.S. beef consumption The United States consumes more beef than any other country in the world. Consumption of beef amounted to around 59 pounds per capita on an annual basis. This was projected to decrease slowly until 2032.

Beef consumption in the United States reached a new high in 2021, when ** billion pounds were consumed. This is an increase in consumption of about *** percent compared to the previous year and the highest consumption recorded during the period under consideration. United States beef production The United States is the world’s top producer of beef and veal. In 2022, production exceeded **** million metric tons. To keep up with the production demand, the U.S. was home to about ** million beef cows in 2022, more than three times the number of dairy cows recorded that year. The shift towards plant-based foods There is a large trend among Generation Z consumers to adopt a more vegetarian or vegan diet. Over half of Gen Z consumers are mostly vegetarian, at a minimum, as of 2022. ** percent, however, are completely vegan, meaning they eat no animal products at all. With this shift away from animal proteins, it is no surprise that the consumption of meat substitutes is expected to exponentially grow within the next several years. By 2027, U.S. meat substitute consumption is forecast to reach ***** million kilograms.

Beef rose to 294.50 BRL/15KG on July 29, 2025, up 0.63% from the previous day. Over the past month, Beef's price has fallen 7.21%, but it is still 26.75% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Beef - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

The retail price of 100% ground beef in the United States has risen significantly in the last two decades. In 2024, a pound of ground beef cost **** U.S. dollars, up from **** U.S. dollars in 2008. Cattle and beef production in the U.S. In 2022, there were almost ** 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 *********** U.S. dollars in sales per store per week, compared to approximately *********** dollars for chicken, and less than ************* dollars for pork. As of 2021, per capita consumption of beef in the United States amounted to about ** pounds per year.

Fresh regular 100% ground beef excluding round, chuck, and sirloin. Includes organic and non-organic. Excludes pre-formed patties."

The US beef cattle production industry is currently marked by tight supply conditions and elevated prices. Over recent years, persistent drought conditions have led to significant herd liquidation, with beef cow numbers falling to historic lows. This contraction has created a bottleneck in calf production and feeder cattle availability, sustaining high cattle prices. In tandem, elevated feed costs have pressured prices upwards and profit down, driving revenue as cattle producers seek to pass on costs and prevent further profit declines. As herd rebuilding has remained slow, cattle supplies have remained low and kept prices high even as feed, energy and other key agricultural input costs have declined from their highs in 2022. Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 6.0% during the current period to reach an estimated $95.9 billion after declining by 2.4% in 2025 as reduced consumption and supplies limit sales. Consumer preferences are shifting in the beef cattle production industry. There is an increasing awareness of environmental and health-related concerns associated with beef consumption. Consequently, many consumers are reducing their intake of conventional beef, turning instead towards more sustainable options and alternatives that are perceived as healthier or higher quality, such as grass-fed and organic beef. This shift has spurred growth in these segments as consumers look for transparency and ethical farming practices. Retailers and restaurants have responded accordingly by offering more options that align with these consumer preferences. However, these trends also pose challenges, especially for smaller producers who face significant costs associated with transitioning to sustainable practices or achieving certifications like organic or "sustainably raised." Though opportunities for growth will continue to present themselves, the outlook for the industry as a whole does not look as positive in the next five years. Poultry, pork and plant-based proteins will threaten beef demand as they appeal to health-conscious customers, particularly as cattle prices are elevated. Climate change will also continue to introduce environmental pressures, demanding resilience and adaptability from producers. Periods of stable weather could facilitate herd rebuilding, leading to increased cattle supplies and dropping prices, but continued climatic fluctuations and extreme weather events could reduce the consistency of production and increase revenue volatility. Advancements in technology, such as drones and wearable sensors, promise to help optimize cattle management, improving operational efficiencies and animal welfare. These innovations, however, require investment and broader accessibility through government support to ensure equitable adoption across the industry. Additionally, while global trade disruptions remain a concern due to disease outbreaks and geopolitical tensions, US producers will have opportunities in niche market segments to differentiate themselves, counterbalancing some of these pressures. Overall, revenue for cattle producers is forecast to decline through 2030 at a CAGR of 0.4% to $94.0 billion.

The volume of global fish production amounted to 1906 million metric tons in 2024, up from 186.6 million metric tons in 2023. Fish is one of the most widely consumed foods in the world, and it is only becoming more popular over time. Global seafood industry The seafood market worldwide is expected to expand considerably over the next several years. In 2017 the global seafood market was valued at 125.2 billion U.S. dollars, and is expected to grow to 155.32 billion dollars by 2023. The country that catches the highest volume of fish is China, followed by Indonesia and India. China also is home to the largest fish and seafood processing industry in the world, generating 31.6 billion U.S. dollars of revenue in 2018. Seafood consumption in the United States Fish is widely available in the United States, and is often considered a healthier source of protein than red meat. The average American consumed about 14.7 pounds of fish and shellfish in 2016, down from 15.5 pounds in the previous year. Most of that consumption consisted of shrimp, salmon, and canned tuna.

In the U.S., there have been approximately three times more beef cows than dairy cows each year since 2001. As of 2024, it was estimated that there were about 28 million beef cows and only about 9.3 million dairy cows. Beef vs. dairy cows Both beef and dairy cows are bred for their respective purposes and farmers often look for different qualities in each. Dairy cows are often bigger, as they can produce a larger volume of milk. Beef cows on the other hand are generally shorter and there is more emphasis on their muscle growth, among other qualities. In 2022, over 28 billion pounds of beef were produced in the United States. U.S. milk production and consumption The United States was among the top consumers of milk worldwide in 2022, surpassed only by India and the European Union. The annual consumption of milk in the U.S. that year was just under 21 million metric tons. To keep up with this level of consumption, milk production in the U.S. has increased by over 60 billion pounds since 1999 and is expected to exceed 228 billion pounds by 2023. California and Wisconsin were the top producing states as of 2022, producing about 41.8 and 31.9 billion pounds of milk, respectively.

Live Cattle rose to 232.95 USd/Lbs on July 30, 2025, up 1.40% from the previous day. Over the past month, Live Cattle's price has risen 10.53%, and is up 24.42% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Live Cattle - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Pork consumption in Canada amounted to approximately ** kilograms of carcass weight per capita in 2024, and it is forecast to decrease to **** kilograms by 2025. Consumption has followed a downward trend since 1980, when per capita consumption was measured over ** kilograms. Why is pork consumption decreasing? Whilst almost 50 percent of Canadians consume meat or meat containing products daily, a fair share of consumers are also reducing or eliminating meat entirely from their diet. Additionally, some Canadians are actively avoiding specifically beef and other red meat in their diets. Females aged over ** are the demographic most likely to be avoiding such foods, followed by females aged between 18 and 34. Meat substitutes The increasing retail sales value of meat substitutes in Canada reflects the decline in meat consumption - by 2022 sales are estimated to reach around *** million U.S. dollars, up from around ** million in 2012. Beyond Meat was the most popular plant-based protein brand which Canadians had tried at home in 2019.

How many cattle are in the world? The global live cattle population amounted to about 1.57 billion heads in 2023, up from approximately 1.51 million in 2021. Cows as livestock The domestication of cattle began as early as 10,000 to 5,000 years ago. From ancient times up to the present, cattle are bred to provide meat and dairy. Cattle are also employed as draft animals to plow the fields or transport heavy objects. Cattle hide is used for the production of leather, and dung for fuel and agricultural fertilizer. In 2022, India was home to the highest number of milk cows in the world. Cattle farming in the United States Cattle meat such as beef and veal is one of the most widely consumed types of meat across the globe, and is particularly popular in the United States. The United States is the top producer of beef and veal of any country worldwide. In 2021, beef production in the United States reached 12.6 million metric tons. Beef production appears to be following a positive trend in the United States. More than 33.07 million cattle were slaughtered both commercially and in farms annually in the United States in 2019, up from 33 million in the previous year.