Grocery Store Sticker Shock

If you’ve felt a bit of sticker shock at the butcher counter lately, you’re not imagining it. Steak and burgers are getting pricier, and it all boils down to two main things: fewer cows and higher fuel costs.

Right now, US cattle herds are at historic lows, meaning there’s simply less beef to go around. At the same time, filling up the delivery trucks that bring food to your grocery store have become more expensive this past month, driving costs up across the board.

While general grocery prices held steady last month, beef and seafood are up roughly 6% compared to last year. Dining out hasn’t offered much relief either—it’s up 3.4%.

The good news? Herd rebuilding takes time, but not everything is skyrocketing—egg prices actually dropped 23%. For now, though, keeping beef on the weekly menu will cost a little extra .