Ground beef hits $6.90 per pound

The U.S. average retail price for ground beef reached $6.90 per pound in April, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data published through the St. Louis Federal Reserve, as Memorial Day shoppers head into the holiday weekend. KWQC reported on May 21 that the April reading was a record and said burgers could cost more this year. The figure reflects the national average price for 100% ground beef collected for the Consumer Price Index in urban markets. The next monthly update is due June 10, according to the data release schedule. ### Where does the $6.90 figure come from? Federal Reserve Economic Data lists the April 2026 average price for ground beef, 100% beef, at $6.899 per pound in the U.S. city average series. The series was updated on May 12 and identifies the Bureau of Labor Statistics as the underlying source. BLS says its average food prices are derived from prices collected for the Consumer Price Index and published without sales tax. (kwqc.com) KWQC’s May 21 report matched that figure and said the price hit a record high just before Memorial Day weekend. The station attributed the broader increase to drought, fuel costs and market consolidation. ### Why are shoppers hearing about this before Memorial Day? Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest periods for home grilling, and local television outlets have tied the higher beef reading to holiday food budgets. (fred.stlouisfed.org) USA Today reported on May 21 that people staying home for the weekend would still face higher costs, while KWQC focused on burgers as a visible example of the increase. (kwqc.com) Spectrum News, citing Consumer Price Index data, reported that uncooked ground beef rose about 3% from March to April. That outlet also said higher fuel prices were feeding through food distribution costs, including refrigerated trucking. (usatoday.com) ### Are retailers offering ways to cut the grocery bill? ABC7 New York reported on May 21 that grocers including Stew Leonard’s were offering tips to help shoppers keep Memorial Day barbecues affordable as meat, fruit and vegetable prices rose. The station said shoppers could save by watching promotions and adjusting menus around lower-cost items and specials. (spectrumnews1.com) KWQC’s report did not cite a national retailer discount program tied specifically to ground beef, but related holiday coverage pointed consumers toward store promotions and substitutions rather than expecting beef prices to fall before the weekend. ### Is this only about food, or are grill shoppers seeing deals too? (abc7ny.com) Fox News and other holiday-shopping roundups reported Memorial Day discounts on grills, patio sets and related outdoor gear running through May 25. Those promotions are separate from grocery pricing, but they have appeared alongside coverage of higher cookout food costs. (kwqc.com) NBC News reported that Memorial Day can still be a useful time to shop for grills and patio furniture because the season is still early, though it advised buyers to be selective. That means households planning a cookout may face higher meat prices even as equipment sellers run holiday markdowns. (abc7ny.com) ### What comes next in the price data? June 10 is the next scheduled release date for the BLS-linked average retail price data for beef and other food items, according to USDA and FRED update notices. That release will show whether ground beef stayed near April’s $6.899 per pound level or moved again as grilling season began. (fred.stlouisfed.org) (abc7ny.com)