Where’s the beef? The short answer is: it’s complicated. 

As the U.S. cattle herd hits its lowest numbers in decades, the beef market is projected to remain bullish into 2027 — and that means costs will continue to soar. You can learn how to manage beef price volatility by tapping into expertise from a hospitality procurement service to help you get the latest insights on inflation, macroeconomic trends and culinary strategies. 

Learn how: Stay Ahead of What’s Changing in the Market 

What’s impacting beef costs for foodservice and hospitality operators? 

According to Entegra’s December 2025 Monthly Inflation Report, foodservice and hospitality operators are seeing that beef is a primary inflation driver at 38.7%. The forces behind this high percentage include feed price increases for farmers, tariffs on Brazilian beef and the Mexican border closure in light of ongoing health concerns like screwworm. This has contributed to an 81% reduction in Mexican imports versus last year. 

“Meat has been a consistent driving category of inflation for the last several months due to the U.S. cattle herd being at its lowest in decades,” shared David Kourie, Chief Purchasing Officer and Senior Vice President of Supply Management, in the latest Cost Outlook report. With approximately 1 million fewer cattle over the last 12 months, imports cannot meaningfully offset the depleted U.S. herd. 

What does this mean for your business? Higher prices for both premium and classic cuts, with costs staying hot for another year. Consulting advice from economists, culinarians and supply chain experts at Entegra’s Cost Outlook webinar can help you understand these complex changes to the market as they unfold — and build the plan of action you need to overcome them. 

Register for the Cost Outlook webinar. 

3 steps you can take to overcome rising beef prices 

Here are a few actionable strategies foodservice and hospitality operators can implement to overcome rising beef prices to maximize your margins and stay competitive while meeting your customers’ expectations:

1. Consider mixing proteins 

According to the expert culinarians behind Entegra Culinary Consulting, mixing proteins is an excellent way to amplify menu variety while also reducing costs. Partnering two proteins, or offering customers the option to substitute, is another way operators can reduce costs while maintaining menu integrity. For example, beef is well-complemented by lamb and incorporating pork into a dish both reduces cost and enhances flavor. 

Read more: GPO cost savings and mitigation strategies from the Cost Outlook webinar 

2. Seek out culinary advice 

Whether you’re reducing the beef on your menu or making supplier changes to mitigate costs, it can be helpful to tap into a culinary advisory service. A procurement service for hospitality operators can connect you with master chefs who have decades of experience in restaurants, catering, hospitality and resident dining. 

These skilled culinarians can lead you through product matching and cutting to ensure the beef you’re using is both cost-effective and high quality. A menu cost/pricing analysis and menu mix analysis can also help you audit the products you currently use to optimize profitability. 

Read more: Ideas to drive culinary efficiency and profitability 

3. Leverage seasonality 

Seasonal eating isn’t just a sustainable food trend. It’s also how your business can overcome seasonal impacts, changing tariffs and market volatility. By reviewing quarterly prices and forecasts for beef and other key proteins, you can make informed purchasing decisions for your business during this price surge and surf seasonal changes. 

Managing your beef costs in 2026 

As beef costs continue to rise, it can mean tighter budgets and tougher decisions. Do you change your menu? Do you switch suppliers? Partnering with a GPO as your hospitality procurement service provider can ensure you make these critical decisions with confidence and help you lock in pricing for the products that matter most to the success of your business. 

Learn more about what’s changing in the beef industry and how other major proteins are impacted by checking out Entegra’s latest Cost Outlook webinar. 

Register for the Cost Outlook webinar.