When LFTB was removed from retail outfits, the only way to replace it was with domestic fresh lean beef which has sent prices soaring. There wasn't as dramatic spike in demand from foodservice operators who use imported beef as many had already stopped using LFTB. Another factor that is dampening US imported prices is the volume of imported beef. US beef imports this year are up 18% or 45,514t from the same period last year. Australian imports accounted for 37,405t of the increase while imports from Mexico are up by 9,023t because of it's drought.
