美媒：“天价牛排”背后的经济困局

Group 1: Economic Impact of Steak Prices - The rising prices of steak reflect deeper economic realities, with steak prices in the U.S. increasing over 16% since September 2024, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and prompting the U.S. government to propose increasing beef import quotas from Argentina by four times to alleviate price pressures [3] - The restaurant industry is facing significant losses, exemplified by Nusret Gökçe's restaurant chain, which has reported millions in losses due to high pricing, blind expansion, and declining value for money [3] Group 2: Challenges in the Beef Industry - The U.S. beef industry is experiencing a "generational crisis," with the average age of cattle ranchers exceeding 58 years, leading to a shrinking pool of ranchers and a decrease in cattle supply [3] - Similar issues are observed in the UK, where the average age of beef farmers is 59, and only 2% are under 35 years old, indicating a declining industry [3] - In Argentina, while many family farms still exist, the beef industry is being consolidated by large corporations, with Brazil's JBS being a significant player, exporting approximately six times more beef to the U.S. than Argentina [3] Group 3: Consumer Trends and Alternatives - Despite rising prices, beef remains a scarce and valuable resource due to the low efficiency of cattle breeding and farming, making it a luxury item in the consumer market [4] - Interest in plant-based meat alternatives made from soy or pea protein has declined over the past five years, indicating a continued preference for traditional beef despite its high cost [4] - High-end steak restaurants continue to attract affluent customers, ensuring that prices remain elevated even amid challenges faced by certain restaurant chains [4]