"Beef prices are at record highs after climbing 16 per cent over the last year and up 35 per cent in October compared with the five-year average. The retail price of beef is expected to creep up again next year. The reasons behind the hefty price tags are as simple as supply and demand, with the supply of cows historically low and demand incredibly high."
"Whether it's burgers on the barbecue or stew on a chilly winter evening, there are certain foods that become traditions and part of the food culture. Those habits that can hold social significance can help explain why demand is still high for beef, regardless of the sticker shock at restaurants and grocers. "We like beef, and beef is the favourite protein of Canadians, von Massow said."
Beef prices hit record highs in 2025, climbing 16 percent over the last year and 35 percent in October versus the five-year average. Retail beef prices are expected to rise again in 2026, though not as sharply as in recent years. Primary drivers include a historically low supply of cows and sustained strong demand. Additional pressures stem from ranchers' production decisions, international trade dynamics, and severe weather events. Meat prices rose fastest among food categories in 2025, driven largely by beef. Persistent cultural preferences and habitual purchasing keep consumer demand high, limiting near-term price relief.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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