Why Meat Prices Are Still Going Up

Protein Prices Outpace Inflation — Again

Across the U.S., prices for meat, eggs, poultry, and fish have surged by more than 9% — nearly triple the national inflation rate. This jump is putting serious strain on household budgets, especially in protein-heavy households.

City-by-City Breakdown: Winners and Losers

While protein inflation is nationwide, the pain isn’t evenly distributed.

Los Angeles leads the spike, with a 9.8% jump in meat, poultry, and eggs — more than double the city's total grocery inflation.
Honolulu saw overall grocery costs climb 5.3%, fueled more by cereals and produce, though proteins still rose nearly 5%.
Dallas-Fort Worth, surprisingly, offered a bright spot: grocery prices actually dropped slightly, with proteins holding steady.

Why Protein Prices Keep Rising

Analysts say meat and eggs are especially sensitive to:

Tariffs on international goods like animal feed and processed food
Supply chain disruptions, particularly in labor and transport
Ongoing volatility in livestock feed and production costs

Even as egg prices begin to stabilize, other protein categories remain stubbornly expensive.

The Road Ahead: More Pain at the Checkout?

Unfortunately, experts warn the price pinch isn’t over. New tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada are expected to ripple through grocery aisles in the coming months. While some categories might see relief, meat and poultry are likely to stay pricey well into the year.

How Shoppers Are Adapting

With protein prices surging, consumers are:

Swapping beef for beans
Shopping sales more aggressively
Exploring frozen and canned alternatives

Until broader economic conditions stabilize, many households are learning to stretch their grocery dollars — and rethink their mealtime staples.

Bottom Line:
Unless tariffs ease and supply chains untangle, that pricey pack of chicken might just be the new normal.

Source: https://www.foodandwine.com/meat-poultry-prices-smartasset-report-11736183