Arizona farmers sold about $1.8 billion worth of cattle last year, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
That’s an increase of about $300 million compared to 2024.
The price of beef rose nationally to about $9.64 per pound on average in April, which is up 13% from a year ago.
That’s partially driven by high demand coupled with the smallest number of cattle in the U.S. in the last 75 years. Beef production is expected to keep falling nationally for the rest of this year and into 2027.
Despite that production drop, the American Farm Bureau projects that demand will continue to go up for beef and that cattle will get heavier, meaning beef will be fattier.
More Arizona Food + Restaurants News
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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.
