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Freakonomics Radio · October 2, 2026 · 00:49:25

689. Here’s Why Your Hamburger Just Got So Pricey

Austin Frerick, Derrell Peel, Robert Hodgen, Roger Horowitz
Show Notes

An economist calls America’s beef industry a miracle of efficiency; an antitrust expert calls it broken. This episode explores both perspectives, examining how decades of consolidation, regulatory choices, and market power have reshaped the price of ground beef. Guests include an agricultural antitrust scholar, a food historian, a ranching CEO, and an economist, who debate whether consumers are paying more because of genuine supply constraints or because of concentrated market control.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

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The Beef Industry as a Productivity Miracle
Economist Derrell Peel calls the American beef industry a “miracle” for its ability to produce affordable hamburger at scale through a remarkably efficient supply chain.
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Antitrust Critique: The Beef Industry Is “Broken”
Antitrust scholar Austin Frerick argues that today’s beef industry is “broken,” not because of natural market forces but because of concentrated market power among a handful of meatpackers.
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