U.S. beef sales are highest during the week of July 4, followed by Labor Day and Memorial Day, according to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. During the week of the U.S. Independence Day holiday, Americans buy about $400 million of beef, 25 percent more than in an average week, with ground beef the top selling beef item, the industry group estimates.
"We are hopeful that ground beef demand will rebound as the summer grilling season begins over the next several weeks," said Martin, the Cargill spokesman.