Business · Trade · 4 hrs ago
Beef imports have barely lowered prices as US ranchers face falling cattle values
On August 26, US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day tariff pause to allow more beef imports, including from Brazil.
The plan aimed to make beef cheaper for US consumers while allowing domestic cattle herds to grow.
After 30 days, the average price of ground beef had fallen by less than 2%, from $6.92 to $6.79 per pound, according to an analysis by Farm Action.
At the same time, prices for cattle used in ground beef fell by up to 13.9%, angering US ranchers.
Ranchers and cattle groups say cheaper imports could weaken the incentive to expand herds, while the US cattle population is already near its lowest level in decades.
It is too early to know whether shoppers will see meaningful savings or whether ranchers’ anger will affect midterm voting.
The tariff pause is due to last 90 days, but the sources do not say what will happen after it ends.
A US plan to increase beef imports has lowered the average price of ground beef by less than 2% after 30 days, according to an analysis by Farm Action.
Prices for cattle used to produce ground beef fell by as much as 13.9% after the policy took effect, the analysis found.
President Donald Trump announced the temporary import increase to reduce consumer prices.
US rancher groups opposed the decision, which they said could weaken incentives to expand domestic cattle production.
The US cattle herd is near its smallest size in decades, while drought and other costs have contributed to high beef prices.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump announced the plan; US ranchers and beef consumers are affected.
- What
- The US temporarily increased lean beef imports at lower tariff rates, but ground beef prices fell by less than 2% after 30 days, while cattle prices fell by as much as 13.9%.
- When
- Trump announced the plan on August 26, 2026. Farm Action assessed its effects after 30 days.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- The plan was intended to lower beef prices for consumers.
US administration
US ranchers and rancher organisations
Policy impact
US administration
The administration presented increased imports as a way to lower consumer prices while allowing US cattle herds to grow.
US ranchers and rancher organisations
Ranchers and their representative organisations opposed the decision, saying cheaper imports could undermine incentives to expand domestic production.
Results
US administration
The plan was intended to substantially lower beef prices for American families.
US ranchers and rancher organisations
Farm Action said ground beef prices had fallen by less than 2% after 30 days, while cattle prices had dropped by as much as 13.9%.
Trump added a 50% tariff on beef from Brazil, according to Al Jazeera.
Trump allowed more tariff-free beef imports from Argentina.
Trump announced a temporary increase of up to 300,000 metric tons in lean beef imports at lower tariff rates for 90 days.
Farm Action found that the national average price of ground beef had fallen by less than 2%, while prices for cows used to produce ground beef had fallen by as much as 13.9%.
The administration announced $8bn in farm relief in Kansas, according to Al Jazeera.
- Import allowance
- Up to 300,000 metric tons of additional lean beef
- Import period
- 90 days
- Ground beef price
- Fell from $6.92 to $6.79 per pound after 30 days
- Cattle price decline
- Up to 13.9% since the policy took effect
- US cattle and calves
- 86.2 million head in 2026
- Cattle ranches
- 732,123 in 2022, down 17% from 2017
3 sources
Trump promised 300,000 tons of beef imports at lower tariff rates to reduce grocery costs. Instead, shipments have lagged and prices haven’t budged
Trump’s tariff pause angers some US ranchers, boosts Brazilian beef imports
Trump said imported beef would sell 25% below market. 30 days in, prices are only down 2% and ranchers are angry
What people are saying
The first 30 days raise serious questions about whether this policy is actually delivering on its promises
Ranchers are seeing steep declines in the prices they receive, and consumers still haven't seen clear, meaningful relief at the grocery store.
It really works against the market signal to expand and produce more domestically
But overall I don’t think it’ll be that much