In a year marked by shifting marketing dynamics and margin pressure across the supply chain, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) closed its 2024 fiscal year with its second strongest sales year in the company’s history. With growth both domestically and internationally, the global beef brand sold 1.237 billion pounds (lb.) across the United States and 55 other countries.

“Since 1978, Certified Angus Beef’s success has been in large part because of the engaging, forward-thinking and collaborative producers and partners we work with from pasture to plate,” says John Stika, president of CAB.

Stay the course on quality

While the total fed-cattle supply declined by 1.6%, this year a record 5.96 million carcasses, up 2.4%, were certified for the brand, with 37.4% of all Angus cattle meeting the brand’s strict quality standards. A record 730,000 carcasses qualified for Certified Angus Beef ^® Prime.

“The Angus cattlemen and women who spend every day dedicated to producing the highest-quality cattle are the foundation of our brand,” Stika says. “With strong consumer demand, the signal to continue producing premium beef is clear.”

Genetic selection and the right management earned producers nearly $100 per head above market price in grid premiums for cattle meeting the brand’s standards.

Continued growth and demand

The market signals from domestic and international consumers showed high-quality beef is in demand both at restaurants and in the meatcase.

Diners continued to find CAB offerings from Michelin-star restaurants to barbecue joints and beyond, spurring continued foodservice growth with 415 million lb. sold across independent specialty, broadline and corporate specialty distributors. Domestically, foodservice experienced the second-best year ever, marking 14 years of growth out of the past 15.

At the meatcase, shoppers reached for the CAB brand. Retail stores recorded 521.5 million lb. sold, a slight 1.7% decline from the previous year. This marked the sixth year of more than 500 million lb. sold across retailers.