JACKSON, Miss. —
President Donald Trump is moving forward with his plan to import ground beef despite backlash from key supporters, cattle ranchers, and mixed reactions from shoppers.
Many shoppers in grocery stores in the metro were seen walking past the ground beef section due to high prices. Reports indicate the national average for a pound of beef has surged to nearly $7, an increase of more than 60 cents in the past year.
Trump’s plan calls for allowing more than 660 million pounds of foreign ground beef to be sold at 25 cents below market price, aiming to give consumers a break ahead of the midterm elections.
“I don’t think we should get our beef from overseas. I don’t think that’s a good idea,” one shopper said.
Another shopper shared concerns about the origin of imported beef.
“It’s kind of crazy right now for ground beef,” the shopper said. “If we could get it cheaper and know where it came from, OK. But if we don’t know where it comes from, we shouldn’t mess with it.”
John Peterman, another shopper, expressed a different opinion.
“I would eat it; I ate it before,” he said.
“So, you don’t have a problem with that?” he was asked.
“I don’t know, other people might, but I sure don’t,” Peterman said.
Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson is urging shoppers to reject imported beef in favor of Mississippi-grown products, though he noted that local beef will still cost more for consumers who want to make a juicy hamburger.
Under the president’s executive order, the beef imports will begin after three months.
Dining and Cooking