Beef Chemical Lean, Fresh 81%
Wholesale price (USDA AMS daily, Choice grade)
Last 6 months
Recent prints
| Date | Choice (¢/lb) | Select (¢/lb) | Ch/Se Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-22 | 390.36¢/lb | 390.36¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-05-15 | 377.23¢/lb | 377.23¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-05-01 | 365.93¢/lb | 365.93¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-04-17 | 407.83¢/lb | 407.83¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-04-10 | 402.60¢/lb | 402.60¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-03-27 | 408.00¢/lb | 408.00¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-03-19 | 391.82¢/lb | 391.82¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-03-12 | 372.14¢/lb | 372.14¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-02-06 | 345.03¢/lb | 345.03¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-01-30 | 355.02¢/lb | 355.02¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-01-29 | 348.19¢/lb | 348.19¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-01-14 | 323.37¢/lb | 323.37¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
| 2026-01-02 | 322.95¢/lb | 322.95¢/lb | +0.00¢/lb |
Source: USDA AMS National Daily Boxed Beef Cutout, Negotiated Sales. Ch/Se spread = Choice minus Select; wider spread signals stronger premium-grade demand.
Frequently asked
Where does the chemical lean, fresh 81% price come from?
Wholesale beef chemical lean, fresh 81% is priced FOB plant in cents per pound and reported daily by USDA AMS as part of the National Daily Boxed Beef Cutout, Negotiated Sales (LM_XB403) report. Prices reflect weighted-average negotiated trades for delivery within 0-21 days.
Why do grind and trim prices move differently from steak cuts?
They price off the lean trim ladder, not the middle meats. Lean supply comes mostly from cow slaughter and imported trim, so the drivers are herd-cycle culling and import flows rather than steak demand. The grind and trim explainers on the learn page walk the ladder.
See the full chart
Multi-year history, 5-year seasonal overlay, and a 26-week forecast. Free 7-day trial, then $89/mo USD. Cancel anytime.