Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Thousands of tons of ground beef are being imported to America without any tariffs in an effort to lower store shelf prices, raising concerns about quality and potential impacts on local ranchers. The White House announced 660 million pounds of ground beef will enter tariff-free over 90 days. At the Arcadia Meat Market, the wholesale live weight prices have paid 86 to 92 cents a pound in the past but have now more than doubled since they opened less than a decade ago, reflecting a national cattle herd that has shrunk to its smallest size in 75 years.
"We're back in the 1950s. It's pretty scary," said Tim Petersen of the Arizona Cattle Grower's Association, who attributes the shortage partially to drought and mostly to government red tape preventing herd growth. Shawn Wood of the Arizona Farm Bureau warns that temporary price drops create a "whipping effect in the pricing" that disincentivizes ranchers from expanding. However, Petersen believes Arizona producers will not compete directly with the imported lean trim because it does not replace prime or choice cuts.
All imported beef must still undergo FDA inspections, and Petersen emphasizes that "Nobody grows beef and cattle like we do in America." Meanwhile, the Douglas Port has reopened to Mexican livestock imports following a year-long closure over screwworm concerns. Rebuilding the domestic herd will take years to fully resolve the supply issue.
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Thousands of tons of ground beef are being imported to America without any tariffs in an effort to lower store shelf prices, raising concerns about quality and potential impacts on local ranchers. The White House announced 660 million pounds of ground beef will enter tariff-free over 90 days. At the Arcadia Meat Market, the wholesale live weight prices have paid 86 to 92 cents a pound in the past but have now more than doubled since they opened less than a decade ago, reflecting a national cattle herd that has shrunk to its smallest size in 75 years.
"We're back in the 1950s. It's pretty scary," said Tim Petersen of the Arizona Cattle Grower's Association, who attributes the shortage partially to drought and mostly to government red tape preventing herd growth. Shawn Wood of the Arizona Farm Bureau warns that temporary price drops create a "whipping effect in the pricing" that disincentivizes ranchers from expanding. However, Petersen believes Arizona producers will not compete directly with the imported lean trim because it does not replace prime or choice cuts.
All imported beef must still undergo FDA inspections, and Petersen emphasizes that "Nobody grows beef and cattle like we do in America." Meanwhile, the Douglas Port has reopened to Mexican livestock imports following a year-long closure over screwworm concerns. Rebuilding the domestic herd will take years to fully resolve the supply issue.
Subscribe to FOX 10 Phoenix!
youtube.com/channel/UCNjfNLnQYbjBEvnS8KFuyGQ?sub_confirmation=1
#fox10phoenix #cattle #beefprices #economy #news #herd #farming #ranching
FOX 10 Phoenix delivers breaking news, live events, politics, entertainment, business news and local stories from Phoenix, Arizona and across the nation.
Watch more FOX 10 Phoenix on YouTube:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP4QUeU7Yj0c
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjk-Nxa5HqPtq-kkrH0cQ3ZIYpLj5MGVT
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjk-Nxa5HqPtUghAGmV3byRgXEYXhZFT3
