Beef Prices Surge Amid Rising Demand and Trade Tensions

Beef prices at U.S. grocery stores have reached unprecedented levels, with economists forecasting further increases as the summer grilling season kicks off. Memorial Day typically marks the beginning of heightened demand for beef, contributing to the price surge.

Consumers are becoming increasingly anxious about the ongoing impact of former President Donald Trump's trade policies, compounded by a halt in cattle imports from Mexico due to an outbreak of the New World screwworm. This suspension threatens to exacerbate the already tightening cattle supply, potentially pushing beef prices even higher.

DeAndrea Chavis, an artificial intelligence analyst in Raleigh, North Carolina, is among those feeling the financial strain. To counteract rising costs, she is adjusting her meal prep strategies, opting for smaller beef portions while keeping an eye out for budget-friendly alternatives at different grocery stores.

(With inputs from agencies.)