University of Wisconsin livestock economist Brenda Boetel said the U.S. imported almost 4.4 billion pounds of beef in 2024. This was an 18 to 19% increase from 2023.

With the top five monthly beef imports all recorded in 2024, Boetel expects 2025 imports to continue to rise despite high beef prices. The U.S. set a record of $8.01 per pound for the retail price of fresh beef in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Despite the higher prices, consumers continued to buy beef. There were no major protein purchasing shifts in 2024. Beotel said that if the trend doesn’t change, the market will run up against the tariff rate quote by the end of 2025.

Read more on the continued increase of beef imports here.