News

Consumer demand for high-quality beef is strong

A report from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) says retail beef demand is up 15 percent since 2012.

NCBA director of market intelligence Alison Krebs says the strong economy is a major factor, but it’s not the only one.

“Consumers have more interest in protein these days—getting more protein in the diet as opposed to carbs and sugars,” Krebs says. “And, nutritionally, we continue to learn about the value and quality of nutrition that beef brings to consumers.

“The other piece that I think is really helping this is that we continue to see improvement in the quality of beef that’s reaching the marketplace. And along with this, we see that consumer demand for that higher quality beef—say Choice, as opposed to Select—actually is stronger as well.

“So the quality of beef is resonating with consumers, and the interest in beef and what it brings to their diet, is all part of that story.”

NCBA says strong consumer beef demand is expected to continue in 2019, with the USDA predicting U.S. consumers will eat nine percent more beef this year than in 2015.

AUDIO: Alison Krebs