As Memorial Day approaches and grills fire up across Texas, consumers will see a mixed picture at the meat counter. Beef prices remain well above last year’s levels, while pork and chicken continue to offer more affordable options, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economists.
Beef remains the most expensive protein heading into grilling season, said David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agricultural economist and professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Agricultural Economics.
Consumers may find mixed meat prices this grilling season, with beef costs remaining high while pork and chicken offer more affordable options, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economists. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)(Sam Craft/ Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications) Consumer price index data from March showed choice beef averaging more than $10 per pound across a range of cuts, up from roughly $8.75 a year ago, Anderson said.
He said the higher prices primarily stem from the nation’s cattle herd shrinking to its smallest size since 1961, limiting lean beef supplies.
“Fundamentally, nothing’s changing the fact that beef is going to be expensive and more costly than it was last year,” Anderson added. “Tighter supplies, good demand, that’s driving prices.”
However, some prices at wholesale levels have improved, he said. Rib-eye prices recently averaged about $11.50 per pound, down from about $13 a year ago, while New York strip prices remained steady near $10.45 per pound. Tenderloin prices were slightly higher than last year.
Ground beef also continues to climb. Wholesale prices for 90% lean ground beef reached $4.52 per pound last week, compared to $3.75 a year ago.
Pork and chicken offer relief
Pork prices remain relatively stable, Anderson said. Retail pork averaged $4.87 per pound in March, slightly below the $4.95 recorded a year ago.
Wholesale pork rib prices increased to about $1.90 per pound from $1.55 per pound last year because of tighter supplies. Pork trimmings used in sausage production held steady.
Pork bellies, the source of bacon and a growing favorite among backyard smokers, averaged $1.57 per pound wholesale, down slightly from last year. Anderson said retailers are increasingly stocking whole pork bellies as interest in smoking and diverse cooking styles grows.
Chicken may provide the best value, or at least the lowest price, this grilling season, Anderson said.
Retail chicken prices averaged $2.41 per pound in March, slightly below last year’s prices. Wholesale chicken prices dropped more sharply. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts averaged $1.80 per pound last week, down from about $2.75 a year ago. Chicken wings also declined to roughly 90 cents per pound wholesale – a noticeable drop from $1.99 per pound in early 2025 and their peak at $3.80 per pound in 2022.
“What that might suggest is maybe we’ll see some deals come Memorial Day, some specials on chicken, because grocery stores have been able to price some of that in at a lower cost to themselves,” Anderson said. “That benefits us, the shopper.”
Rising costs still concern ranchers Higher fuel and fertilizer prices continue to pressure poultry, pork and beef producers and the broader food supply chain. Anderson said fertilizer costs raise feed prices for livestock producers by increasing the cost of corn and soybeans.
Diesel prices also affect transportation costs across the industry, from hauling livestock to delivering meat products to grocery stores.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the full effect of that through our food system yet,” Anderson said. “That’s going to affect everything.”
Despite those challenges, Anderson said consumers may still find opportunities to save this summer, particularly on chicken and some pork products.
“But I would expect some special features around the holidays on a lot of items, including beef,” Anderson said. “Folks are going to notice some relatively less expensive pork and chicken versus the beef side.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Southeast
Recent rainfall improved soil moisture, forage growth and livestock conditions across much of the district, though persistently wet conditions delayed fieldwork in some counties. Soil moisture levels varied from short to surplus. Some counties remained drier than surrounding areas and continued to need additional rainfall. Corn progress remained strong, with several counties reporting 100% planted and emerged acreage. Rice planting and emergence were also largely complete across major producing counties, with conditions mostly rated good. Sorghum planting was complete in most areas, while cotton planting continued. Pasture and range conditions varied from poor to excellent. Livestock conditions remained mostly stable across the district.
Southwest
Cooler temperatures and overcast conditions prevailed during the week, accompanied by rainfall totals ranging from 1-1.75 inches. Warm-season grasses responded well, and rangelands and pastures remained green and productive. Producers continued fertilization and weed control efforts. Corn and sorghum conditions varied by planting date, with early-planted fields showing uneven development. Hay crops looked good, and oat harvest wrapped up as producers transitioned livestock to pasture. Livestock and wildlife conditions continued to improve, though some supplemental feeding continued.
Coastal Bend
Widespread rainfall improved soil moisture and moderated temperatures across the district. Some fields remained too wet for fieldwork, and additional rain was forecast. Despite favorable moisture conditions, hail and tornadoes damaged about 400 acres of corn and sorghum. Crop conditions generally improved with consistent rainfall. Rice producers maintained or initiated field floods. Cotton, corn and sorghum planting were complete, and late-planted fields looked especially strong. Wheat and oat crops failed this season. Pasture and range conditions improved, and fertilized hay fields neared harvest pending drier weather. Most producers sharply reduced or stopped supplemental feeding as forage conditions improved. Pasture weed spraying continued, and livestock conditions improved overall.
South
Mild temperatures and late-week thunderstorms brought 0.25-1 inch of rainfall across the district, with more rain forecast. Soil moisture remained generally favorable as row crops continued to mature. Cotton progress ranged from seedling to blooming and squaring stages, but many fields were expected to be plowed under due to poor stands. Sesame, sunflower and peanut planting continued, while corn remained in the silking stage. Watermelon harvest began in some early-planted fields. Range and pasture conditions continued to improve with recent rainfall, though more moisture was needed to refill stock tanks and fully restore forage production. Beef cattle conditions improved, though some animals remained in poor body condition and supplemental feeding continued at reduced levels. Feeder cattle prices remained strong. Flies became more problematic, and producers treated livestock accordingly. Wildlife conditions improved with increased green vegetation, while turkey nesting activity and early quail pairing were observed.
