M. Shahbandeh
Research expert covering agriculture & FMCG
U.S. beef market - statistics & facts
The United States tops the list of the globally leading beef and veal producing countries: the country produced over 12.2 million tons of beef and veal (net carcass weight) as of 2023, followed by Brazil and the European Union, respectively. That year, total production of beef and veal amounted to just above 59 million metric tons worldwide. The global cattle population amounted to over 942.6 million head in 2023, up from approximately 940 million in 2022.
Cattle farming in the U.S.
The United States is home to approximately 89.3million cattle and calves as of 2023, a decrease from 92 million cattle and calves in 2022. There are over three times more beef cows than milk cows living in the United States. In 2022, the total carcass weight of worldwide U.S. beef and veal exports was just under 3.5 billion pounds.U.S. beef retail market
Beef is still the cash cow of the fresh meat retail department, with the highest retail sales within the category. In 2023, the average value of retail beef was about 800 U.S. cents per pound of retail equivalent. Sirloin steak is one of the most expensive cuts, retailing at over ten U.S. dollars per pound in 2023, almost twice as expensive as ground beef. As of 2023, supermarkets were still the most popular sales channel for consumers to buy meat in the United States by far. Over half of consumer reported purchasing their meat in traditional supermarkets.
