U.S. Beef Prices Surge to Record Highs Amid Supply Shortages
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 hours ago
0mins
Source: Benzinga
- Beef Price Surge: The average price of beef in the U.S. has reached a record $6.67 per pound, reflecting a 20.5% increase over the past year, marking the fastest rise since 2018 and highlighting severe supply-demand imbalances.
- Historic Cattle Shortage: According to USDA data, U.S. cattle and calves inventory has fallen to approximately 85 million head, the lowest level since 1951, down about 45 million from the 1975 peak, contributing to ongoing price increases in beef.
- Future Supply Challenges: Even if ranchers begin expanding herds today, new supply is not expected to significantly reach grocery shelves until 2028 at the earliest, indicating the depth of the current cattle contraction and the slow recovery cycle ahead.
- Strong Demand and Price Forecast: The USDA projects total red meat and poultry production to reach 108.4 billion pounds in 2026, with beef production expected to decline again, yet strong consumer demand is anticipated to push beef prices up by 7%.
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Analyst Views on HRL
Wall Street analysts forecast HRL stock price to rise
5 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 24.480
Low
26.00
Averages
27.40
High
30.00
Current: 24.480
Low
26.00
Averages
27.40
High
30.00
About HRL
Hormel Foods Corporation is a global-branded food company. The Company develops, processes, and distributes a range of food products in a variety of markets. Its segments include Retail, Foodservice, and International. The Retail segment is primarily engaged in the processing, marketing, and sale of food products sold predominantly in the retail market. This segment also includes the Company’s MegaMex Foods, LLC joint venture. The Foodservice segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of food products to foodservice, convenience store, and commercial customers located in the United States. The International segment processes, markets, and sells its products internationally. This segment also includes the results from the Company’s international joint ventures, international equity method investments, and international royalty arrangements. It has a global presence within several major international markets, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, and England.
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.
Hormel Foods Announces Q1 2026 Preliminary Results and Business Sale
- Sales Growth Expectation: Hormel Foods anticipates approximately $3 billion in net sales for Q1 2026, reflecting a 2% increase compared to Q1 2025, marking the company's fifth consecutive quarter of organic sales growth, indicating stable market demand and ongoing business growth potential.
- Earnings Per Share Forecast: The company expects a diluted EPS of $0.33 and an adjusted diluted EPS of $0.34 for the first quarter, demonstrating effective cost control and profitability measures that lay a solid foundation for future financial performance.
- Business Restructuring Progress: Hormel Foods announced a definitive agreement to sell its whole-bird turkey business to Life-Science Innovations, with the transaction expected to close by the end of Q2 2026, aimed at optimizing its product portfolio and focusing resources on higher-growth potential areas.
- Investor Conference Arrangement: The company will reaffirm its fiscal 2026 organic sales and adjusted EPS guidance at the 2026 CAGNY conference, discussing key initiatives for success, thereby enhancing investor confidence in the company's future growth trajectory.
See More
Hormel Foods Sells Turkey Business to Life-Science Innovations
- Strategic Shift: Hormel Foods Corporation has announced the sale of its whole-bird turkey business to Life-Science Innovations (LSI), with the transaction expected to close by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2026, aiming to reduce reliance on volatile commodity-driven businesses and pivot towards more value-added protein offerings.
- Asset Transfer: LSI will acquire Hormel's Melrose whole-bird production facility, Swanville feed mill, and associated transportation assets, while also assuming supply contracts with third-party turkey growers, ensuring uninterrupted customer order fulfillment during the transition, highlighting a commitment to customer service.
- Brand Impact: The transaction will not affect Hormel's JENNIE-O® brand or its broader product lineup, as Hormel continues to focus on enhancing the value-added aspects of its JENNIE-O® business, ensuring long-term growth potential for the brand.
- Financial Outlook: Although financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed, Hormel expects the sale to have a minimal impact on its adjusted fiscal 2026 financial results, with further details to be discussed during the first quarter earnings call on February 26, 2026.
See More
U.S. Beef Prices Surge to Record Highs Amid Supply Shortages
- Beef Price Surge: The average price of beef in the U.S. has reached a record $6.67 per pound, reflecting a 20.5% increase over the past year, marking the fastest rise since 2018 and highlighting severe supply-demand imbalances.
- Historic Cattle Shortage: According to USDA data, U.S. cattle and calves inventory has fallen to approximately 85 million head, the lowest level since 1951, down about 45 million from the 1975 peak, contributing to ongoing price increases in beef.
- Future Supply Challenges: Even if ranchers begin expanding herds today, new supply is not expected to significantly reach grocery shelves until 2028 at the earliest, indicating the depth of the current cattle contraction and the slow recovery cycle ahead.
- Strong Demand and Price Forecast: The USDA projects total red meat and poultry production to reach 108.4 billion pounds in 2026, with beef production expected to decline again, yet strong consumer demand is anticipated to push beef prices up by 7%.
See More
Hormel Foods Sells Turkey Business, Focuses on Value-Added Protein
- Strategic Shift: Hormel Foods has agreed to sell its whole-bird turkey business to better focus on value-added protein products, with the transaction expected to close by the end of the second fiscal quarter, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Financial Outlook: The company projects net sales of approximately $3 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, reflecting a 2% year-over-year growth, while diluted earnings per share are expected to be 33 cents, slightly above the analyst estimate of 32 cents, indicating a solid financial performance.
- Asset Sale Details: The sale includes production and transportation assets in Minnesota, with Hormel maintaining co-manufacturing operations with Life-Science Innovations to ensure a smooth transition, further solidifying the market position of its JENNIE-O brand.
- Future Guidance: Hormel reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 targets at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference, anticipating 2-3% organic net sales growth and 5-7% operating profit growth, demonstrating strong confidence in its growth strategy moving forward.
See More
Hormel Foods Projects Q1 Adjusted Earnings
- Earnings Outlook: Hormel Foods anticipates adjusted earnings of $0.34 per share for Q1, indicating stable performance amidst current economic challenges, despite market pressures.
- Market Reaction: This earnings forecast may influence investor confidence regarding the company's future performance, particularly in the context of increasing competition within the food industry.
- Financial Health: The company remains focused on cost control and efficiency improvements to maintain profitability under uncertain market conditions, demonstrating robust financial management.
- Strategic Direction: Hormel's earnings projection reflects ongoing efforts in product innovation and market expansion, aiming to capitalize on shifts in consumer demand and emerging opportunities.
See More
Hormel Foods Sells Whole-Bird Turkey Business to Life-Science Innovations
- Business Sale: Hormel Foods has agreed to sell its whole-bird turkey business to Life-Science Innovations, which includes the Melrose, Minnesota production facility and Swanville feed mill, optimizing asset allocation and allowing a focus on core operations.
- Sales Growth Outlook: Hormel Foods projects first-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of approximately $3 billion, reflecting a 2% year-over-year organic growth, marking the company's fifth consecutive quarter of growth and indicating stable market demand.
- Profitability Improvement: Preliminary figures show expected diluted EPS of $0.33 and adjusted EPS of $0.34, both exceeding market estimates of $0.32, highlighting a positive trend in the company's profitability.
- Management Confidence: Interim CEO Jeff Ettinger stated that the preliminary first-quarter results align with expectations, indicating that the company is focused on the right strategies to achieve profitable growth, thereby enhancing market confidence in its future prospects.
See More
Hormel Foods Announces Q1 2026 Preliminary Results and Business Sale
- Sales Growth Expectation: Hormel Foods anticipates approximately $3 billion in net sales for Q1 2026, reflecting a 2% increase compared to Q1 2025, marking the company's fifth consecutive quarter of organic sales growth, indicating stable market demand and ongoing business growth potential.
- Earnings Per Share Forecast: The company expects a diluted EPS of $0.33 and an adjusted diluted EPS of $0.34 for the first quarter, demonstrating effective cost control and profitability measures that lay a solid foundation for future financial performance.
- Business Restructuring Progress: Hormel Foods announced a definitive agreement to sell its whole-bird turkey business to Life-Science Innovations, with the transaction expected to close by the end of Q2 2026, aimed at optimizing its product portfolio and focusing resources on higher-growth potential areas.
- Investor Conference Arrangement: The company will reaffirm its fiscal 2026 organic sales and adjusted EPS guidance at the 2026 CAGNY conference, discussing key initiatives for success, thereby enhancing investor confidence in the company's future growth trajectory.
See More
Hormel Foods Sells Turkey Business to Life-Science Innovations
- Strategic Shift: Hormel Foods Corporation has announced the sale of its whole-bird turkey business to Life-Science Innovations (LSI), with the transaction expected to close by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2026, aiming to reduce reliance on volatile commodity-driven businesses and pivot towards more value-added protein offerings.
- Asset Transfer: LSI will acquire Hormel's Melrose whole-bird production facility, Swanville feed mill, and associated transportation assets, while also assuming supply contracts with third-party turkey growers, ensuring uninterrupted customer order fulfillment during the transition, highlighting a commitment to customer service.
- Brand Impact: The transaction will not affect Hormel's JENNIE-O® brand or its broader product lineup, as Hormel continues to focus on enhancing the value-added aspects of its JENNIE-O® business, ensuring long-term growth potential for the brand.
- Financial Outlook: Although financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed, Hormel expects the sale to have a minimal impact on its adjusted fiscal 2026 financial results, with further details to be discussed during the first quarter earnings call on February 26, 2026.
See More
U.S. Beef Prices Surge to Record Highs Amid Supply Shortages
- Beef Price Surge: The average price of beef in the U.S. has reached a record $6.67 per pound, reflecting a 20.5% increase over the past year, marking the fastest rise since 2018 and highlighting severe supply-demand imbalances.
- Historic Cattle Shortage: According to USDA data, U.S. cattle and calves inventory has fallen to approximately 85 million head, the lowest level since 1951, down about 45 million from the 1975 peak, contributing to ongoing price increases in beef.
- Future Supply Challenges: Even if ranchers begin expanding herds today, new supply is not expected to significantly reach grocery shelves until 2028 at the earliest, indicating the depth of the current cattle contraction and the slow recovery cycle ahead.
- Strong Demand and Price Forecast: The USDA projects total red meat and poultry production to reach 108.4 billion pounds in 2026, with beef production expected to decline again, yet strong consumer demand is anticipated to push beef prices up by 7%.
See More
Hormel Foods Sells Turkey Business, Focuses on Value-Added Protein
- Strategic Shift: Hormel Foods has agreed to sell its whole-bird turkey business to better focus on value-added protein products, with the transaction expected to close by the end of the second fiscal quarter, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Financial Outlook: The company projects net sales of approximately $3 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, reflecting a 2% year-over-year growth, while diluted earnings per share are expected to be 33 cents, slightly above the analyst estimate of 32 cents, indicating a solid financial performance.
- Asset Sale Details: The sale includes production and transportation assets in Minnesota, with Hormel maintaining co-manufacturing operations with Life-Science Innovations to ensure a smooth transition, further solidifying the market position of its JENNIE-O brand.
- Future Guidance: Hormel reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 targets at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference, anticipating 2-3% organic net sales growth and 5-7% operating profit growth, demonstrating strong confidence in its growth strategy moving forward.
See More
Hormel Foods Projects Q1 Adjusted Earnings
- Earnings Outlook: Hormel Foods anticipates adjusted earnings of $0.34 per share for Q1, indicating stable performance amidst current economic challenges, despite market pressures.
- Market Reaction: This earnings forecast may influence investor confidence regarding the company's future performance, particularly in the context of increasing competition within the food industry.
- Financial Health: The company remains focused on cost control and efficiency improvements to maintain profitability under uncertain market conditions, demonstrating robust financial management.
- Strategic Direction: Hormel's earnings projection reflects ongoing efforts in product innovation and market expansion, aiming to capitalize on shifts in consumer demand and emerging opportunities.
See More
Hormel Foods Sells Whole-Bird Turkey Business to Life-Science Innovations
- Business Sale: Hormel Foods has agreed to sell its whole-bird turkey business to Life-Science Innovations, which includes the Melrose, Minnesota production facility and Swanville feed mill, optimizing asset allocation and allowing a focus on core operations.
- Sales Growth Outlook: Hormel Foods projects first-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of approximately $3 billion, reflecting a 2% year-over-year organic growth, marking the company's fifth consecutive quarter of growth and indicating stable market demand.
- Profitability Improvement: Preliminary figures show expected diluted EPS of $0.33 and adjusted EPS of $0.34, both exceeding market estimates of $0.32, highlighting a positive trend in the company's profitability.
- Management Confidence: Interim CEO Jeff Ettinger stated that the preliminary first-quarter results align with expectations, indicating that the company is focused on the right strategies to achieve profitable growth, thereby enhancing market confidence in its future prospects.
See More
