Beef lovers in Kansas are feeling the pinch. Prices for red meat have soared nearly 14% from last summer and a staggering 51% since 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The culprit: the nation’s smallest cattle herd in 75 years, thinned out by punishing drought, coupled with tariffs and import suspensions that are choking supply.
Brazilian beef now faces a 76% tariff, while fears of the screwworm parasite have blocked Mexican cattle from crossing the border. The result is a thinner pipeline and fatter price tags.
Local shops like Phil’s Farm & Butchery and Stroot Lockers say their loyal customers still show up, but the shopping lists look different.
Instead of ribeye, many are reaching for chicken or blends that stretch pork with beef. Steaks, once a weeknight indulgence, are quietly giving way to burgers and roasts.
“You come in, you see the price, and yeah, everyone loves a good steak. But sometimes the budget says chicken,” said Phil Nisley of Phil’s Farm & Butchery. Over at Stroot’s, president Justin Stroot echoed the trend: “Steak cuts are down, but hamburger’s holding strong.”
For Kansans, the message is clear: tradition may sizzle on the grill, but thrift rules the plate.
You May Also Like: Global Beef Supplies Face Prolonged Squeeze as U.S. Placements Drop
I’ve been buying Kansas City strip steaks for years and they never disappoint. The quality and taste are top-notch. Highly recommend trying them!