Sizzling beef prices change how some buy, consume meat

For a long time, Seattle resident Daniel Lara considered the health and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet. The last spike in beef prices brought him another factor to consider.

At Whole Foods, where Lara shops, the cost of ground beef hit as much as $12.99 per pound earlier this month. For the cost, it is not worth it, he said.

You really have to find ways to save in other areas to try to make up for the expense,” Lara said.

Record high beef prices nationwide are a result of myriad factors, including prolonged drought and high feed costs leading to an ongoing decline in cattle numbers. Last year, the U.S. experienced the lowest cattle inventory in more than 70 years, according to the American Farm Bureau, dropping from a surge of 95 million cattle and calves in 2019 to 87.2 million in 2024.

This fall has contributed to skyrocketing meat prices across the nation. The average cost of ground beef, for example, jumped to $6.34 a pound, an 11% increase year over year in June. In the West region, which includes Washington, the average cost for ground beef per pound was around $6.29 in June, up more than 10% year over year.

In late July, prices in Seattle stores trended higher. The cost of ground beef at a Seattle QFC store ranged from around $6.99 to $11.99 per pound. At Safeway in the University District, prices started at $8.49 per pound.

While rising prices are squeezing Seattle-area shoppers and meat businesses, they are creating opportunities for some local ranchers to gain new customers while trying to maintain thin profits.