1.235 Billion Pounds of Brand Sales

Certified Angus Beef (CAB) reported global sales of 1.235 billion pounds for its 2025 fiscal year, a figure the American Angus Association's journal and the brand's own news release describe as the third-best year in the brand's history. It is a large number, and it invites a simple conclusion: consumers want Angus beef. That conclusion is partly right. This guide breaks down the reported numbers and shows why the story is more interesting than the headline.

What was reported

Based on the brand's own account of its latest year, the 1.235 billion pounds divided across several channels.

• Retail: 525.8 million pounds.
• Foodservice: more than 417 million pounds, described as the second-best year on record, with March setting a monthly record of 40.3 million pounds.
• International: 179 million pounds across more than 55 countries, with Prime international sales up 20.6 percent.
• Prime: 55 million pounds, up 9.7 percent.
• Value-added products: up 9.7 percent, a fifth consecutive year of growth.
• Specialty lines such as grass-fed, natural and ranch-to-table combined: about 3.2 million pounds.

The sources are the brand's article on its year at certifiedangusbeef.com and the Association's reporting on it. These are company-reported figures, so read them as such.

What it suggests about demand

Two features of the numbers point toward strong demand. First, sales were high in a year when cattle supply was tight. The reporting says total fed cattle supply fell about 3 percent and the average retail beef price rose to around 8 dollars a pound. Selling more than a billion pounds at higher prices implies buyers kept purchasing. Second, the growth was not limited to one channel. Foodservice had a strong year, retail was the largest channel and international and Prime sales rose. Several channels moving together is more convincing than one.

The mix also shows where buyers put their money. Prime, the top grade, grew by nearly 10 percent, which is consistent with consumers trading up.

What it cannot prove

Sales are not the same thing as demand. Sales measure what was sold, and that depends on both supply and demand. If supply were unlimited, sales might have been higher still. If the brand pushed more product through discounting or promotion, sales could rise without buyers wanting it more. The data reported here do not isolate those effects.

There is also the issue of ranking. This was the third-best year, not the best. The brand's carcass supply fell from the previous year's record, so some of the sales were limited by availability. In a year with fewer certified carcasses, holding sales near a record suggests strong pull, but it also shows how supply sets the ceiling.

Finally, pounds are not dollars. A higher retail price per pound means the same pounds are worth more, but it also means that some consumers may buy less or switch to other proteins. For a measure of how demand responds to price, look at independent analyses such as those from the USDA Economic Research Service.

Reading the channel mix

The breakdown by channel carries information that the total hides. Retail is the largest piece, at about 525.8 million pounds, which reflects grocery purchases that depend on household budgets and the price at the meat case. Foodservice, at more than 417 million pounds, depends on restaurant traffic and menu decisions, and it responds to consumer confidence in a different way. International sales, at 179 million pounds, depend on exchange rates, trade policy and foreign demand. When all three are strong at once, no single factor explains the result.

The value-added category deserves a note as well. It is described as having grown for five consecutive years, which indicates that buyers are paying for convenience and preparation in addition to the beef itself. For a producer, that matters because it shows where downstream companies are adding value, and some of that added value can eventually support what packers are willing to pay for qualifying cattle. Whether it does depends on competition among packers, which varies by region and by year.

Lastly, keep scale in mind. The specialty lines such as grass-fed and natural, at about 3.2 million pounds combined, are tiny compared with the whole. They matter to the farms that supply them, but they should not be confused with the main commodity flow.

What this means for producers

For a producer, a strong sales year supports the idea that cattle meeting the brand's specifications are marketable. It does not guarantee a premium. The premium you receive depends on your buyer, the grid and the market in the week you sell. Marbling remains the principal reason cattle miss the brand, so it is the best place to look for improvement. farm.fm's page on boosting Angus market value discusses practical steps, and the University of Nebraska beef extension site has additional resources.

What this means for buyers

If you buy beef, a record-class sales year tells you the product is widely available through retail, restaurants and online sellers. Prices have been rising across beef, so compare cuts and grades before you buy. You can find related suppliers and farm resources through the agriculture directory.

This site is independent and not affiliated with the American Angus Association or Certified Angus Beef LLC. Figures are company-reported and may be revised, so check official sources.