Beef Jerky Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

Key Points

• Research suggests beef jerky prices in the US increased from 2020 to 2024, with likely continued increases into 2025.

• It seems likely that prices per ounce ranged from $2.40 (cheap) to over $2.91 (expensive) in 2020, rising to $3.00 (cheap) to over $3.67 (expensive) by 2024.

• The evidence leans toward 2025 prices being similar to 2024, with current retail prices around $1.50–$4 per ounce, though official annual updates are pending.

Price Trends (2020–2024)

Beef jerky prices have shown a steady upward trend from 2020 to 2024, with annual updates reflecting increases in both cheap and expensive categories. Below is a summary of the price ranges per ounce:

Key Observations:

• Prices have consistently increased year over year from 2020 to 2024.

• The "cheap" category saw a rise from $2.40 per ounce in 2020 to $3.00 per ounce in 2024, reflecting inflation and rising production costs.

• The "average" category increased from $2.41–$2.90 per ounce in 2020 to $3.01–$3.66 per ounce in 2024, indicating a broader range for mid-tier brands.

• The "expensive" category also saw an upward trend, starting at $2.91 per ounce and above in 2020 and reaching $3.67 per ounce and above in 2024, driven by premium brands and specialty products.

Detailed Breakdown:

• In 2020, the cheap category included brands like Meijer and Kroger, with prices around $2.40 per ounce, while expensive options exceeded $2.91, often for grass-fed or organic varieties.

• By 2022, a significant shift occurred, with prices rising by 33 cents per ounce in the cheap category, attributed to increased meat costs and supply chain pressures, as noted in industry reports.

• In 2023, the trend continued, with an 8-cent increase per ounce in the cheap category, or 18 cents when considering expanded ranges, reflecting ongoing inflation.

• In 2024, the cheap category stabilized at $3.00 per ounce and under, with specific brands like Meijer at $1.36 per ounce, showing significant variation within the category, which might 

2025 Prices: Current Retail Data

Since it is currently March 2025, the annual price update for 2025 has not yet been published, typically released in July or August by sources like JerkyIngredients.com. However, based on current retail prices from major retailers:

• Walmart: Old Trapper Naturally Smoked Original Old Fashioned Beef Jerky (10oz bag) is priced at $15.38, which equates to approximately $1.54 per ounce (Beef Jerky). This falls within the "cheap" category for 2024 ($3.00 and under), suggesting prices remain competitive for some brands.

• Amazon: Jack Link's Original Beef Jerky (2.85oz bag) is priced around $4.50, which is approximately $1.58 per ounce, also within the "cheap" category. Other brands on Amazon range from approximately $1.50 to $4 per ounce, depending on the brand and type, with high-end or specialty brands exceeding $4 per ounce.

Conclusion for 2025:

• As of March 19, 2025, beef jerky prices remain within the 2024 ranges, with cheap options starting at around $1.50 per ounce and expensive options exceeding $4 per ounce.

• Prices are likely to remain stable or increase slightly by the time the 2025 annual update is released, given historical trends of annual increases.

Background and Data Sources

Beef jerky, a popular high-protein snack made from dried and seasoned beef, is widely consumed for its convenience and nutritional value. Pricing data for beef jerky can be sourced from industry reports, retail websites, and specialized platforms like JerkyIngredients.com, which aggregates prices from multiple brands. The analysis covers annual price ranges from 2020 to 2024, with current retail data for 2025, given the lack of official annual updates as of March 19, 2025.

Comparative Analysis: Retail vs. Online

The difference between in-store and online prices is notable. For example, in-store prices at Walmart for Old Trapper are $1.54 per ounce, while online prices on Amazon for similar brands like Jack Link's are around $1.58 per ounce. This gap highlights how distribution channels affect final consumer costs, with online options sometimes offering bulk discounts, which might surprise users expecting uniform pricing across platforms.

Contextual Factors

Several factors could influence beef jerky prices over the period. Industry reports noted that 2020 saw revenue growth due to e-commerce and retail partnerships, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Spiking meat prices, as mentioned in IBISWorld reports, pushed jerky prices upward, boosting revenue but pressuring producers to absorb costs in 2022 due to falling disposable income. Consumer demand for protein-rich snacks and health-conscious trends also play roles, with brands innovating in flavors and clean-label products.

Limitations and Future Considerations

The main limitation is the lack of annual price data for 2025, relying on current retail prices for estimates. This affects comparability, as historical data reflects annual averages, while 2025 data is spot prices. Future updates, such as the next JerkyIngredients.com price update in July or August 2025, may provide more comprehensive data. 

Conclusion

In summary, beef jerky prices in the US from 2020 to 2024 show a clear upward trend, with the cheap category starting at $2.40 per ounce in 2020 and rising to $3.00 per ounce in 2024. As of March 19, 2025, prices remain within the 2024 ranges, with current retail prices ranging from $1.50 to $4 per ounce, based on examples from Walmart and Amazon.