Meatpackers skeptical of broader disclosure of cattle prices and purchases
Noting complaints about dwindling competition, the USDA listed several ways to improve price transparency in the cattle market on Wednesday and offered to assist stakeholders and policymakers in exploring options to assure fair prices and level the playing field between producers and processors.
Shoppers could see less meat at higher prices due to coronavirus
Beef and pork supplies at U.S. supermarkets could shrink by nearly 30 percent and prices may rise by a stunning 20 percent by Memorial Day, the result of coronavirus slowdowns and shutdowns at packing plants, said agricultural lender CoBank on Tuesday. "Shortages and stock outs in the meat case couldn't come at a worse time. Food inflation and a weak U.S. economy is a combination that will leave many consumers in greater financial strain."(No paywall)