American consumers are continuing to face elevated beef prices amid an ongoing cattle shortage, which is also hitting the bottom line of major meatpacking companies. Ranchers are also facing higher operating costs for feed, labor, fuel and equipment, while some live cattle imports have also been constrained due to concerns over diseases affecting livestock. Ground beef prices were up 12.4% from a year ago, while beef roasts were up 13.8% and steaks were up 11.4% in that period. The agency cited those Mexican states' "strong, well-established inspection programs" and geographic distance from southern Mexico, where most of the cases have been concentrated. "To be clear, the reopening of the Mexican border will not solve the entire gap of beef losses we are currently seeing.