Texas beef shortage pushes brisket prices up, hits BBQ joints and Buc‑ee’s

A historic decline in the U.S. cattle herd – the smallest in about 75 years at roughly 86.2 million head – has driven beef prices to record levels, with retail beef reaching about $9.64 per pound this spring. Wholesale brisket prices have surged to around $7.50 per pound, an increase of nearly 190 % since early 2020.

The spike has forced several Texas barbecue restaurants to close and is prompting pitmasters to explore alternative cuts such as tri‑tip, beef cheeks, and flat iron. Buc‑ee’s, whose brisket sandwich is its top‑selling item, may also feel the squeeze, though its large scale provides some protection compared with smaller independent pitmasters.

Industry observers note that brisket, which comes from only two portions per cow, bears the brunt of the shortage, and the rising costs are reshaping menus across Texas and beyond.