Consumer demand for beef at retail in the United States has risen by 15 percent in the past five years, according to survey data reported by the Beef Checkoff program.

Strong consumer beef demand is expected to continue into 2019, with the USDA predicting consumers in the United States will eat 8.9 percent more beef this year than in 2015.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says work by US producers to improve beef quality was reflected in increases in US herd grading and was driving higher demand for beef.

Not only are consumers eating more beef, they are also enjoying more high-quality beef. This is due to more cattle in the US herd grading higher than ever before.

“Cattle farmers and ranchers, and the entire beef industry, have worked particularly hard during the past 10 years to produce higher-quality beef, and that work is clearly paying off with increased consumer demand,” said Bridget Wasser, Executive Director of Meat Science & Supply Chain Outreach for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.

“We’re seeing demand for USDA Choice and Prime beef grow, signaling consumer desire for a higher-quality product.

“An increase in the size of the US cattle herd paired with a higher-quality beef supply shows the industry is responding.”

Beef demand isn’t only strong at retail. Ninety-seven percent of foodservice establishments report having beef on the menu, which has been shown to increase restaurant traffic by 45 percent.

Source: Beef Checkoff. Further details about the Beef Checkoff program and information about cuts and recipes is available at www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.