Trump ICE Raids Disrupt Beef Supply as Ground Beef Hits Record $6.92 a Pound

2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 25

Thousands of cattle shipments to processing plants have been delayed after recent ICE sweeps in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma rattled workers across key beef-producing regions.
Industry groups say the raids have chilled even legal, documented workers, disrupting feed yards, dairies and transportation hubs and already causing millions of dollars in lost revenue and added costs.
Southwest Kansas meatpacking communities including Dodge City, Liberal and Garden City were hit especially hard, while Kansas senators urged DHS to coordinate safely with local law enforcement.
Ground beef reached a record $6.92 a pound in August, and ranchers say the labor shock will push prices higher on top of inflation and already elevated grain, fuel and fertilizer costs.
The new disruption deepens ranchers’ frustration after the administration last month approved 660 million pounds of lower-priced foreign beef imports to try to ease consumer prices.