22 July 2025

2 minute read

By: Global Ag Media

North America

Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) cattle futures reached new life of contract highs on Monday on firm US cash prices and expectations of fewer imports available from Brazil, Reuters reported, citing analysts.

Cash prices have set records this year as cattle inventories have dwindled to their lowest levels in decades and meatpackers were increasingly forced to pay more to buy animals to process into beef, according to analysts.

Cassie Fish, analyst and author at The Beef blog, said ongoing low unemployment rates and high wages have kept demand for beef booming even as supply remains low.

She also said, news that Brazil's finance minister had acknowledged that a trade dealwith the U.S. may not be reached by August 1, when President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods are due to take effect, also supported cattle futures.

Brazil is a major exporter of beef to the U.S.

CME August live cattle futures LCQ25 reached a contract high of 225.550 cents per pound before rising 1.675 cents to 225.225 cents per pound.

CME August feeder cattle futures FCQ25 reached a contract high of 328.175 cents per pound before rising 3.600 cents to close at 327.600 cents per pound.

Processors were losing an estimated $193.25 per head of cattle they slaughtered, compared to losses of $43.20 a week ago, HedgersEdge.com said.

Wholesale boxed beef prices fell on Monday afternoon, with choice cuts falling $1.48 to $327.07 and select cuts declining $1.44 to $350.05, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

For pork, the wholesale U.S. carcass cutout price jumped $1.73 to $119.52, the USDA said.

The lean hog index price for the two days ending July 17 was $107.93.

CME August lean hog futures LHQ25 ended up 0.875 cent at 107.350 cents per pound.