Your burgers could soon cost more — and it’s not just inflation (opens original article in a new tab)

Rising beef prices in the U.S. are driven by a screwworm outbreak in Mexico, declining cattle herds, and trade uncertainty over the 2020 North American trade agreement, which could disrupt the integrated beef market across the region.

• Beef prices in the U.S. have risen over 20% since January 2025 due to factors including a screwworm outbreak in Mexico and U.S. cattle herd decline
• Trade negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico are underway amid uncertainty over the 2020 trade agreement, with potential disruptions affecting the North American beef market
• Cross-border trade of cattle and beef products is critical for U.S. supply, with Mexico and Canada being major sources of imported cattle