Freakonomics Radio

689. Here’s Why Your Hamburger Just Got So Pricey

October 2, 2026·49 min·6-min readnarrativebusiness
Podzilla Summary (6 min)
TLDR
The U.S. beef industry, a cornerstone of American agriculture and culture, is facing unprecedented price surges and structural challenges driven by biological constraints, market concentration, and decades of consolidation. Despite strong consumer demand—especially for ground beef—the sup

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Guest

A

Austin Frerick

narrative on Freakonomics Radio

Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Derrell PeelRobert HodgenAustin FrerickRoger Horowitz

Books

Putting Meat on the American TableBarron's Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry

Companies

JBSTysonNational BeefCargill

Topics

Business NewsEconomicsFintechInequalityInvestigative JournalismLong Form JournalismUs Politics

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