Shoppers are buying fewer meat products as prices continue to rise

U.S. beef markets weakened on July 28, 2026, as declining cash prices combined with the USDA's confirmation that cattle imports through the Douglas, Arizona, port will resume on August 24. The announcement comes after months of elevated cattle prices following the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to livestock imports in November 2024. For producers, feedlots, and investors, the decision matters because additional cattle supplies could weigh further on prices while changing market dynamics across the U.S. beef industry during the second half of the year.

The recent downturn has been driven by softening cash fundamentals across the cattle complex. The CME Feeder Cattle Index has dropped $32.21 since reaching its June 24 high, falling to its lowest level of 2026. At the same time, Choice boxed beef values declined $39.07, sliding from $400.31 per hundredweight on June 23 to $361.24. These declines have reduced support for cattle futures, reflecting weaker wholesale demand and growing expectations that additional cattle availability could pressure prices even further as the market adjusts to changing supply conditions.

Another major development is the USDA's decision to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry for cattle imports beginning August 24. The reopening will initially operate as a 30-day trial, with early indications suggesting it will focus primarily on beef feeder cattle imported from Mexico. If the program proceeds without complications and New World screwworm outbreaks remain under control, federal officials are expected to consider reopening two additional New Mexico border crossings. The move represents a significant policy shift after nearly two years of import restrictions that helped tighten cattle supplies across the United States.