Nearly 3,000 pounds of ground beef, distributed across six U.S. states, have been recalled by the Mountain West Food Group, LLC, according to an announcement published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on December 27, 2025.

Demand for beef is high at the same time that cattle inventory is low — and ranchers are cautious about investing in growing their herds at a time of economic uncertainty.

China will impose an added 55% tariff on beef imports that exceed quota levels from key supplier countries including Brazil, Australia and the U.S. in a move to protect a domestic cattle industry slowly emerging from oversupply.

The three-year measure, effective January 1, 2026, follows a Chinese government investigation into beef imports.

One of the major problems for Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND) and the plant-based meat industry in general is the premium consumers must pay over standard beef. Beyond Meat's ground beef equivalent costs around $7 to $8 per pound at Walmart, and more at other retailers.

Shoppers in several states may be eligible for part of an $87.5 million antitrust class action lawsuit settlement with several beef processors.

There are so many ways to use beef. Among the multitude of cuts available from your butcher, there are just as many ways to make them shine.

“We are coming out of the phase of excess, and the phase of scarcity hasn’t even begun,” said César de Castro Alves, manager of agronomic consultancy at Itau BBA bank. Scarcity, he added, is likely to last a few years.