Soaring Beef Prices Won't Save Beyond Meat

Core Insights - Beyond Meat faces a significant pricing disadvantage compared to standard beef, with its ground beef equivalent priced at approximately $7 to $8 per pound at Walmart [1] - The pricing gap has narrowed due to a historically small U.S. cattle herd and rising beef prices, which have increased by around 15% over the past year [2][8] - Despite the rising beef prices potentially benefiting the plant-based meat market, Beyond Meat's lack of pricing power remains a critical issue [7] Pricing and Market Dynamics - The plant-based meat market is experiencing price deflation, forcing Beyond Meat to lower its prices, indicating a lack of pricing power [5] - In Q3 2025, Beyond Meat reported a 10.3% decline in volumes and a 3.5% decrease in revenue per pound, highlighting that lower prices are not boosting demand [6] - The overall market for plant-based meat in the U.S. is shrinking as competition increases, with store-brand options undermining Beyond Meat's brand strength [6] Consumer Behavior and Alternatives - Rising beef prices are influencing consumer behavior, leading some shoppers to consider alternatives, but the shift is primarily towards chicken rather than plant-based options [9] - There is no strong indication that consumers are switching to plant-based meat despite the narrowing price gap with beef [8]