Global Warming Pushes Up Hamburger Prices

By Douglas McIntyre  •  August 10, 2025

Beef cattle have become scarce.The primary reason is drought in areas where many of these live. Ranchers have to cut back on the herd so each gets enough water. Alternatively, some send parts of their herd to the slaughterhouse early.

According to Bloomberg,” Average ground beef prices in city supermarkets surpassed $6 a pound in June, while the cost of uncooked beef steaks approached $11.50 a pound. Those levels are the highest in a decade, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data.” The news service says this is “climate inflation.”

Better cases for this inflation are cacao and coffee. Some are also due to swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD), which in turn is partially triggered by climate change. Most cocoa comes from West Africa. Ghana’s cocoa output dropped 22% and Côte d’Ivoire’s by 27% in 2024. 

Cocoa Prices Up As Well

In August of 2023 cocoa prices were $3,460 per metric ton. By January, they hit $10,750 per metric ton. Recently, the price has been $8,500. Companies that make chocolate or use it as an ingredient are forced to drop margins or attempt to pass prices on to consumers. 

Coffee beans have gone through a similar cycle. Brazil produces more coffee than any nation in the world. Its crop has been hit by both drought and floods. Arabica bean production is forecast to drop as much as 15% next year. Vietnam, another large producer may have a supply drop of 25% for related weather reasons, 

Two years ago, the price of a pound of coffee was $1.60. Today, it is closer to $4.25. Most of this has been passed on to consumers already.

Consumer Prices

Whether Americans will pay a huge premium for beef hasn’t been fully answered. For companies like McDonald’s, it is already a challenge.

What is not at issue is the problem of food price inflation. It has already shown up in some consumer prices. That hurdle will probably get higher.

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