U.S. Beef Prices Surge Amid Tight Supply and Herd Rebuilding Challenges
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 13 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Beef Price Surge: U.S. beef prices have reached record highs, increasing over 16% compared to last year, making beef a symbol of inflation for American consumers, particularly as the summer grilling season approaches.
- Slow Herd Rebuilding: Despite efforts by U.S. cattle producers to rebuild the diminished herd, retention of young female cows, known as heifers, has been spotty, leading to challenges in increasing beef production, with tight supplies expected to persist through 2027.
- Slaughter and Layoffs: Tyson Foods has closed a major beef plant in Nebraska and reduced operations in Texas, laying off thousands of workers, as soaring cattle costs have outpaced gains from higher beef prices, highlighting the industry's financial strain.
- Trump's Import Plan: President Trump's consideration of reducing tariffs on beef imports could temporarily boost supplies, but the American Farm Bureau Federation warns it may discourage producers from rebuilding the U.S. herd, impacting long-term supply stability.
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Analyst Views on TSN
Wall Street analysts forecast TSN stock price to rise
6 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 62.000
Low
58.00
Averages
65.20
High
75.00
Current: 62.000
Low
58.00
Averages
65.20
High
75.00
About TSN
Tyson Foods, Inc. is a food company. The Company has a portfolio of products and brands, including Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, State Fair, Aidells and ibp. Its segments include Beef, Pork, Chicken, and Prepared Foods. The Beef segment includes operations related to processing live-fed cattle and fabricating dressed beef carcasses into primal and sub-primal meat cuts and case-ready products. The Pork segment includes operations related to processing live market hogs and fabricating pork carcasses into primal and sub-primal cuts and case-ready products. The Chicken segment includes domestic operations related to raising and processing live chickens, and purchasing raw materials for fresh, frozen and value-added chicken products and sales of specialty products. The Prepared Foods segment includes operations related to manufacturing and marketing frozen and refrigerated food products and logistics operations to move products through the supply chain.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Sales Growth Outlook: The company anticipates sales growth of 2% to 4% in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025, demonstrating Tyson Foods' resilience in market competition and an optimistic outlook for future performance.
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See More
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- Full-Year Income Forecast Raised: The company has raised its full-year income forecast, reflecting management's confidence in future market conditions, with Schomburger's leadership expected to further enhance this positive trend.
See More
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- Employee Demands vs. Company Response: Union representatives state that workers are seeking a $1 raise in the first year, while Cargill has only offered a 70-cent increase, highlighting a stark divide in salary negotiations that reflects broader economic pressures.
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