Quartz: ground beef $6.90 per pound

Quartz reported on Friday, May 22, that U.S. ground beef prices had climbed to a record ahead of Memorial Day weekend, adding to grocery costs for holiday cookouts. The outlet said retail ground beef was running at $6.90 per pound, citing federal price data. The figure matches the April 2026 U.S. city average for 100% ground beef tracked by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. ### Where does the $6.90 number come from? April 2026 data put the U.S. city-average price of 100% ground beef at $6.899 per pound, according to the St. Louis Fed’s FRED database. FRED said the series was updated on May 12 and listed the next release date as June 10. Macrotrends, which republishes the same federal series, also showed U.S. ground beef at $6.90 in April 2026. (qz.com) Quartz said that $6.90 level was a record heading into Memorial Day weekend. KWQC, citing the same federal data, also reported this week that the average price of ground beef hit a record high of $6.90 per pound in April. ### Why are shoppers seeing higher burger costs before Memorial Day? Memorial Day weekend typically lifts demand for grilling staples, and Quartz said the higher beef price was landing as families prepared for holiday gatherings. (fred.stlouisfed.org) The USDA Economic Research Service said its retail meat price data was updated on May 12 and covers monthly average prices for beef, pork and poultry cuts. (qz.com) ConsumerAffairs reported on May 22 that beef prices were near record highs before the holiday, citing the smallest U.S. cattle herd in decades, drought conditions and strong demand. Yahoo Finance, in a separate May 22 report, said cattle deaths, an aging rancher base and continued consumer appetite for beef had tightened supply. (qz.com) ### Are retailers offering cheaper substitutes? ABC7 New York reported on May 22 that retailers including Stew Leonard’s were giving shoppers ways to trim cookout bills as grocery prices rose. The station said meat, fruit and vegetables were all getting more expensive, but said holiday hosts could keep costs down by shopping selectively and using lower-cost items. (consumeraffairs.com) Stew Leonard’s current weekly specials page shows promotions running through May 26, 2026, across its stores in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. The company’s flyer does not by itself explain the broader beef market, but it does show the chain is actively merchandising around the holiday weekend. ### Is this only about ground beef, or a broader beef squeeze? Quartz framed the increase as part of a broader rise in grilling costs. (abc7ny.com) Yahoo Finance reported on May 22 that steak prices were also elevated, saying ground beef had set a new April record while other beef cuts were under pressure from tight cattle supplies. The American Farm Bureau Federation said this week that Americans are eating more meat than ever, and USDA is forecasting higher U.S. consumption of beef, pork and chicken in 2026. (stewleonards.com) That demand backdrop has kept attention on protein prices even as some other grocery categories, including eggs, have recently eased. ### What should shoppers watch next? June 10 is the next scheduled update for the federal ground beef price series cited by Quartz and FRED. (finance.yahoo.com) That release will show whether the April record of $6.899 per pound held through May, after Memorial Day buying. May 26 is the final day listed on Stew Leonard’s current weekly specials page, giving shoppers a near-term marker for Memorial Day promotions. (fb.org) ABC7 said retailers were steering customers toward cheaper cookout choices as the holiday weekend began. (stewleonards.com) (fred.stlouisfed.org)