reflecting its ability to deliver versatility, convenience and value across a wide range of meal occasions. 3 In fact, ground beef and value-added beef products have also been among the category ' s strongest performing segments in the past year. 2
Shoppers are More Deliberate
June 2026 Consumer Price Index data show food-at-home prices increased 2.7 % year-over-year, while food-away-fromhome prices rose 3.4 %. 4 Although annual food inflation has moderated, food prices remain well above pre-pandemic levels, and the cumulative impact of several years of higher prices continues to shape consumer behavior. Since June 2020, overall food prices have increased 30 %, food-at-home prices are up 26 %, and beef and veal prices have risen 35 %. 4 As a result, consumers are becoming more intentional in how they shop, plan and prepare meals.
Nearly three-quarters of meals are now prepared at home, reflecting a continued focus on home cooking as households navigate a higher-cost food environment. 3 Consumers report dining out less often, looking for deals more frequently, using leftovers creatively and freezing food to reduce waste. 3 These behaviors suggest consumers are actively managing food budgets rather than eliminating the foods they enjoy.
For beef, these shifts present both challenges and opportunities. Consumers indicate they plan to purchase more chicken, ground beef and fish while reducing purchases of higher-priced beef cuts such as steaks and roasts. 3 Rather than abandoning beef, many households are adjusting how they incorporate it into meal routines and becoming more strategic in the products they choose.
These behaviors reflect a consumer who is adapting rather than abandoning the category. As consumers become more selective, reinforcing how beef delivers taste, protein, versatility and value across a variety of meal occasions will remain increasingly important.
Future Purchasing Plans of Proteins: 2026
Consumers indicate they plan to purchase more chicken, ground beef, and fish while cutting back on higher-priced cuts of beef such as roast and steak compared to last year.
Chicken Fish
Ground beef
Fresh deli meats Steak
Pork
Pork bacon, sausage Beef roast
Meat alternatives
Purchase More 17 %
16 % 15 % 13 % 12 % 10 % 10 % 9 % 9 %
Future Purchasing Plans of Proteins
Purchase Less 7 %
9 % 10 % 12 % 14 % 12 % 10 %
8 %
13 %
+ 10 %
Protein Remains a Priority
Nutrition remains an important factor in meal decisions, and protein continues to be one of the strongest drivers of food choice. As consumers become more intentional about the foods they buy, they increasingly look for options that deliver both nutritional value and eating enjoyment.
Protein is now available in a growing range of foods and beverages, from fortified snacks and bars to dairy products and traditional animal proteins. As consumers become more focused on meeting protein goals, competition increasingly centers on which foods can deliver protein alongside taste, satiety and overall meal satisfaction.
Beef is well-positioned within this environment because consumers already associate it with high-quality protein and meal satisfaction. Reinforcing beef ' s role as a nutrient-dense protein choice can help maintain relevance as consumers evaluate an expanding range of protein options.
When consumers think about meals that include beef, protein is among the most important health-related considerations. 3 Beef is also viewed positively across a range of attributes that align with consumer priorities. Consumers score
-2 %
-2 %
-4 %
Difference
Source: Consumer Beef Tracker, January – March 2026. Q23: For each of the following items, please select whether you plan to purchase more, less, or the same amount, compared to 2025. Analysis: National Cattlemen’ s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.
+ 7 %
+ 5 % + 1 %
0 %
+ 1 %
DIRECTIONS 2026 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN 33