Beef Plate, Outside Skirt
USDA Spec
IMPS 2020 §121CIn simple termsThe outside skirt, the diaphragm muscle. The cut Tex-Mex and Mexican-style fajita programs run on, and a steakhouse skirt-steak spec. Sold to fajita-grade foodservice operators and Mexico-export buyers. Main muscle: diaphragm.
Individual muscle. Consists of the diaphragm (may have serous membrane / peritoneum attached). Membrane portion trimmed close to the lean.
- Weight range
- 1-down to 2+ lb
- Key muscles
- diaphragm
- Primal
- Plate
Last 6 months
Recent prints
| Date | Choice (¢/lb) | Select (¢/lb) | Ch/Se Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-28 | 1019.81¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-27 | 1000.40¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-26 | 1176.55¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-25 | 1078.30¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-24 | 1141.21¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-21 | 880.87¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-20 | 991.42¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-19 | 1000.43¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-18 | 1030.24¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-17 | 1316.67¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-14 | 1027.06¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-13 | 1013.73¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-12 | 1164.48¢/lb | - | - |
| 2026-08-11 | 1026.14¢/lb | - | - |
Frequently asked
What is the current wholesale price of beef plate, outside skirt?
$10.20/lb as of 2026-08-28, Choice grade, from the USDA AMS National Daily Boxed Beef Cutout report. That's up 15.8% week over week.
Is plate, outside skirt trending up or down?
Down 6.2% over the last six months. Offer side has been in control.
Who sets wholesale plate, outside skirt prices?
No single seller sets it. Wholesale beef plate, outside skirt 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.
Who buys plate, outside skirt?
Fajita, stir-fry, and value-steak programs at retail and foodservice. These thin cuts trade on their own demand cycle and can decouple from the broader cutout when those programs run.
What is IMPS 121C?
IMPS 121C is the USDA Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications code for Beef Plate, Skirt Steak (Outside, IM). It's the standard spec used in wholesale trading and procurement contracts.
About this cut
The diaphragm muscle on the outside of the chest cavity. Loose grain, intense beef flavor. The original cut for fajitas and arrachera.
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