WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – President Donald Trump announced Friday his administration will allow more beef to be temporarily imported into the United States without triggering higher tariffs. The move comes as beef prices have climbed to record highs.
Jason Hawkins, vice president of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, reacted to the announcement.
“You know, we’re actually importing nearly 30% of the consumption of beef in America right now. And that really kind of pains me because when I was a little kid, we exported beef, and now we import beef,” Hawkins said.
The idea behind the decision is to bring down the record high prices.
“I think our country has a good Secretary of Agriculture. I’ve heard a lot of her interviews, and I think she has the right motivations. I’m just not sure our president’s listening to her… I like a lot of what he does, but I don’t like what he did today,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said all levels of the cattle industry are concerned the move will flood the market.
“I don’t think we’re against lowering prices of beef. I just don’t think we’ll see that effect. Probably just going to see lower prices for us producers,” Hawkins said.
The president’s plan allows up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported into the U.S. for the next 90 days without triggering a tariff, ensuring the imported beef would be sold at 25% below current market rates.
“I’ve heard some reports that it represents about eight days worth of American consumption spread out across three months. So if you put yourself in kind of the retail sector, or even the processing sector, you know, are you really going to lower your prices for kind of an eight-day blip?” Hawkins said.
At Yoder Meats off south Maize Road in west Wichita, customers remain loyal, saying they are taking advantage of specials and bulk-buying to navigate soaring beef prices across the nation.
“We get their bundles. Their monthly bundles. And it’s amazing how much meat you get in their bundle for like 90 bucks or 100 bucks, compared to if you were to go to the grocery store,” customer Danielle Gardner said.
“Usually I went home with about two or three steaks that would last me through the week, a couple minute-steaks… but now I’m down to maybe a steak for the weekend, and that’s really all. That’s really all I can afford now,” customer Xander Weninger said.
Customers say they also appreciate Yoder Meats because they know the beef is American and sourced locally, but some are changing their diets to other meats like chicken and pork.
“I don’t know if it’s ever going to change and think it might be something we got to get used to. Uh, I’m not sure… I wish we would get lower, but I’ve just adjusted the way I eat a little bit,” customer Cane Steele said.
The Kansas Cattlemen’s Association said decreases in the American cattle herd are also a factor in the rise in beef prices, pointing out it is harder to keep cattle and grow herds at current prices.
The KCA also said high input costs, especially the cost of land for cattle to graze on, have also driven up beef prices.
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