Beef Marketplace Update
Four Weeks Ending 10/4/26
Retail snapshot ending October 4th, 2026, from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.
Beef Earns High Consumer Satisfaction
Beef earns high consumer satisfaction, with 86% of consumers satisfied or very satisfied and an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. Half of consumers are very satisfied, and another 36% are satisfied, while only a small share express dissatisfaction. Beef ranks just behind chicken at 88% satisfaction and a 4.4 mean, and it outperforms pork at 76%, fish and seafood at 73%, and meat alternatives at 33%.For the beef industry, these results reinforce that consumers continue to perceive strong value in beef despite its premium price. That positive experience aligns with recent retail performance: during the latest four weeks, beef dollar sales increased 2.7%, and volume rose 1.8%, while chicken and pork dollar sales declined. High satisfaction can support repeat purchases and trade-up opportunities, but the narrow gap with chicken means the industry should continue emphasizing taste, versatility, nutrition, and dependable eating quality. Strong growth in ground beef, roasts, and brisket also suggests an opportunity to translate satisfaction into sales by promoting familiar meal solutions across a range of price points.
Source: Consumer Beef Tracker April - June 2026. Q203. Overall, how satisfied are you with each of the following proteins? (Select one per row). Analysis by National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.
Marketplace Overview
Beef continues to outperform the broader fresh-meat case. During the latest four weeks ending October 4, 2026, beef generated $3.51 billion in retail sales, up 2.7% from a year ago, while volume increased 1.8%. By comparison, total fresh-meat sales rose just 0.8% as volume declined 0.4%. Beef also gained while chicken and pork sales fell 1.0% and 6.1%, respectively, underscoring consumers’ continued willingness to choose beef. Beef’s ability to grow both dollars and pounds at an average price of $7.41 per pound demonstrates resilient consumer demand despite a premium over chicken and pork.
Category performance was mixed, with ground beef and roasts providing the strongest near-term momentum. Ground beef sales increased 4.1% as volume rose 2.7%, while roast sales climbed 9.0% on a 4.9% volume gain. Brisket also performed well, with dollar sales up 8.7% and volume up 6.1%. Steaks remained a major contributor but softened, with sales down 1.3% and volume down 1.9%, while value-added beef declined in both dollars and volume.
Overall, the results indicate some movement toward versatile, familiar cuts that deliver perceived value. While beef is outperforming competing proteins on both scale and underlying demand, continued strength in ground beef, roasts, and brisket suggests that maintaining a balanced product mix around affordability, versatility, and everyday meal solutions will be important for sustaining momentum.
Source: Circana Multi-Market retail performance, period ending 10/4/2026 Analysis: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.
Source: Circana Multi-Market retail performance, period ending 10/4/2026 Analysis: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.
Source: Circana Multi-Market retail performance, period ending 10/4/2026 Analysis: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.
ARMS: #102726-08