05/17/2026
U.S. CATTLE REPORT 📈 Retail Beef Prices Rocket Higher as 9 Cuts Set New Record Highs in April 📈
Retail beef prices continued their sharp climb in April as all 12 major beef categories increased from March levels, with 9 of the 12 cuts establishing new all-time record highs.
The Retail Beef Price Composite increased from $8.93/lb in March to a record $9.28/lb in April, rising $0.35/lb in just one month. Ground beef prices continued pushing higher across every category. Ground Chuck increased from $6.68 to a record $6.92/lb, while Ground Beef climbed from $6.70 to $6.90/lb. Lean & Extra Lean Ground Beef jumped $0.31 to a record $8.51/lb, and All Uncooked Ground Beef increased to a record $7.06/lb.
Roast values posted some of the largest monthly increases. Chuck Roast, USDA Choice Boneless surged $0.66 to a record $9.50/lb, while Round Roast, Choice Boneless climbed $0.51 to a record $8.98/lb. All Uncooked Beef Roasts also established a new all-time high at $9.41/lb. Steak prices remained historically strong as Sirloin Steak USDA Choice Boneless increased from $14.12 to a record $14.73/lb, while All Uncooked Beef Steaks rose to a record $13.02/lb.
Only three categories failed to establish new all-time highs during April. Round Steak, USDA Choice increased from $9.61 to $9.83/lb but remained below its February 2026 record high of $10.095/lb. Beef for Stew, Boneless rose from $8.41 to $8.65/lb but stayed below its November 2025 record of $9.172/lb. All Uncooked Other Beef increased from $7.68 to $7.92/lb, still below its November 2025 record high of $8.204/lb.
RFD-TV Hastings Tribune Wall Street Journal Opinion Reuters AP
