Depressing but refreshing, at the same time. Because it’s NOT a result of Trump’s Tariffs. Beef prices in the US are set to ‘spike’, after US agencies banned beef imports from Mexico due to a cattle para-site infestation…
Alas… The days are gone when average folks just walked into the supermarket and,
‘without a care’, tossed into their carts whatever cut of beef took their fancy…
There’s a newly-discovered cattle parasite on the loose in Mexico – a land of old-west-style panor-amic range lands, longhorn cows and cheaper production costs than many US ranching operations…
Prices already soaring…
Beef prices are already spiking according to the major US supermarket chains. The latest retail price survey – performed last month – found that ground beef (as in hamburger) prices were up a little year over year last month, abut poised to soar much more. Beef roasts were up more than 10 percent. Ribs were up 8 percent. Steaks up about the same based on the specific cut. That’s an overall average increase of just over 8 percent.
Supply-and-demand
It’s good old supply-and-demand. Because of the Mexican parasite infestation. According to a recent ABC report, “We just don’t have the cows,” to fill the usual seasonal explosion in demand.
“No problem!” You put on a smug grin. “I’ll just switch to chicken.” Alas, the price of chicken is also on the ‘up’ escalator, even more than beef – over 3 times more, already an average 27.3 percent over this time last year.
What you can do…
What’s a heavily addicted carnivore to do? Answer: “Not much.” The experts say, shop the specials – when you can get them, all through the coming BBQ season.
When prices are really good, jump on them and put some of your fave cuts in the freezer for later, when prices will be even higher.
What about Canadian Beef?
Setting aside the Trump Tariffs for the moment, Canada and Mexico are on more-or-less level ground re.- beef exports. If you could magically erase the Mexican parasite crisis.
In fact, historically, the US has been the single largest customer for Canadian beef. Canada usually exports roughly 50 percent of its beef and cattle production. With the vast majority of those exports going to the US. But in these crazy times of global economic upheaval… Even the most confident ob-servers admit they don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, especially to commodities like beef.
My take
All that having been said, we DO know that the Mexican cattle parasite situation is serious. And get-ting worse. Because Mexico doesn’t have the resources to fight it that the US or Canada would be able to muster in its place.
The Mexican beef ban is likely to be a long-term affair, and the import ban is total. So, experts know exactly how much beef that entails. Ergo, exactly how prices in the US will be affected by that disruptive factor.
However you look at it, the news is not good.
But that may make this summer a good time to see what the plant-based world has to offer, by way of stuff that can go on the grill…
~ Maggie J.