Trade Tensions and Disease Outbreaks May Further Drive Up US Beef Prices
US beef prices face upward pressure due to the dual impacts of cattle disease outbreaks in Mexico and uncertainties surrounding the US-Mexico trade agreement. Since the beginning of 2025, beef prices have already increased by over 20%. For sellers in food and related supply chains in cross-border e-commerce, fluctuations in raw material costs will directly affect pricing strategies and profit margins.
What are the key facts?
- 1US beef prices increased over 20% since January 2025
- 2Cattle disease outbreaks in Mexico
- 3Uncertainties surrounding the US-Mexico trade agreement
- 4Historic low cattle numbers in the US
What happened?
Both the outbreaks of the screwworm in Mexico and the historic low number of cattle in the US are exerting continuous pressure on US beef prices. Additionally, potential renegotiation or withdrawal threats concerning the US-Mexico trade agreement exacerbate market uncertainties. Since January 2025, US ground beef prices have surged over 20%.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Food sellers should closely monitor fluctuations in supply chain costs, promptly adjust pricing strategies, and consider diversifying procurement channels to mitigate risks from a single market.