American government takes control of beef

It is now widely known that the price of American beef has risen sharply in recent years. This is due to a significant decrease in supply. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the American cattle herd is at its lowest level in 75 years, while the demand for beef has increased by 10%. As the sector is in trouble, the government is actively working to support the market. The precise price of beef is difficult to ascertain at this time. The U.S. government is stalled as Republicans and Democrats cannot agree on the budget. Prior to the shutdown, consumer prices were at a historic high. For example, the average price of ground beef in the United States has risen to $13.93 per kilogram. New plan Although no listing is forthcoming, consumers are still daily noticing that the price of beef in the United States is at a historically high level. Therefore, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to give the beef market a boost with a new stimulus plan. Firstly, the USDA wants to open up more pastureland for grazing, allowing cattle ranchers to keep more cattle. It will also be made easier to obtain permits, and regulations that limit maximum production will be removed. Additionally, the government wants to do more to stabilize the market. Although the demand, as mentioned earlier, is very strong, the U.S. government aims to take measures to give domestic cattle ranchers the strongest possible position. The regulations for using the label 'Product of USA' will also be tightened. From 2026 onwards, only animals that are born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States may carry that label. The USDA will also lower the surcharge for inspections outside of regular hours and on holidays: small businesses will pay 30% less and very small businesses even 75% less. Additionally, the USDA will make loans available for small slaughterhouses to expand their capacity. Remarkably, this directly aligns with President Joe Biden's policies under the Inflation Reduction Act. In addition to supply-side measures, the U.S. government is also stimulating demand, despite the scarcity. For example, it wants to incorporate more local beef into school meals and give beef a more prominent role within other government programs, such as food assistance to the underprivileged. Finally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hints that proteins, and especially beef, will receive a stronger position in the new dietary guidelines. Imports from Argentina An option that former President Trump has also proposed to make beef more affordable is to import more meat from Argentina. With this, Trump hopes not only to lower prices but also to help his political ally Javier Milei with extra dollars. However, the plan was met with little enthusiasm by the American beef sector. The advocacy organization National Cattlemen's Beef Association warns that higher imports will further weaken the domestic sector. In 2024, the United States already imported 34,907 tons of beef from the South American country. In the first half of 2025, that import was also 12.2% higher than a year earlier, with a total volume of 19,448 tons. The expectation is that the market share will increase. The United States has expanded the quota for Argentine beef to 80,000 tons.