While the rising cost of eggs has drawn national attention in recent years, new numbers show the price of beef is rising, as well.
Government data show the average price of ground beef rose nearly 12% from a year ago to about $6.12 for a pound.
At the same time, uncooked steaks rose by 8%. Demand is also high this time of year, as people are grilling more often.
Lauren Maehling, executive director of the Arizona Beef Council, says thinning herds and water issues are some of the biggest contributors to consumer cost increases.
“Arizona ranchers continually plan for drought, we just seem to face consistent drought throughout the Southwest," Maehling said.
In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Arizona has about 930,000 cattle, a 4% drop from 2024.
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The move comes after a nearly yearlong ban of Mexican cattle into the United States to protect against the New World screwworm parasite. -
The San Luis port of entry from Sonora, Mexico, is Arizona’s westernmost border crossing, and could see delays for four to five months starting later this month. -
Democratic Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva is proposing legislation to curb federal funding threats to the state’s food assistance program. -
The package, being presented to lawmakers this week, preserves the approximately $450 million a year in tax cuts proposed by GOP lawmakers that mirror what Congress approved last year in its "Big Beautiful Bill." -
No cases of the flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite have been reported in Arizona, but USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in the state has recommendations for ranchers to protect against it.
