DENVER - The National Cattlemen's Beef Association says retail beef prices were up slightly in September over the month before and a year earlier.
The USDA all-fresh retail beef price was $2.53 per pound in September, up 1 cent from August and just three cents more than 1996 prices. The association analysis includes data on 15 beef cuts in all grades.
Analysts say the best buys, according to newspaper ads featuring beef at special low prices, were for chuck roast and boneless beef for stew.
Average retail and featured prices in September were: Chuck roast (U. S. Choice, boneless) $2.47/$1.87; beef for stew (boneless), $2.48/$2.31; Ground chuck, $1.80/$1.57; Rib Roast (Choice), $5.06/$2.57; T-bone Steak (Choice), $5.93/$4.42; Round Steak (select or ungraded) $2.95/$3.11; and Sirloin steak (select or ungraded) $3.69/$3.93.
The NCBA analysis also found the lowest regional average price for featured beef in September was $2.16 in the Central and Western regions, compared to $2.79 in the Northeast.
Meat Industry Insights News Service
P.O. Box 553
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-757-4010
Fax: 631-757-4060
E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com
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