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It’s tricky to pinpoint the exact US states that purchase the most beef overall, as data on consumer purchases by state isn’t consistently tracked by the USDA. However, we can infer some likely candidates based on a combination of factors:
States with High Overall Meat Consumption:
* The Midwest region generally shows higher overall meat consumption per capita. States like Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois have been indicated as having higher overall meat demand.
* Some data suggests that states like Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Missouri have high per capita meat consumption.
States with High Beef Consumption for Specific Products:
* Steak: States like Florida, California, Nevada, Washington, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Illinois, and New York are identified as hotspots for steak consumption. This suggests a higher overall purchase of higher-value beef cuts in these states.
* Ground Beef and Hamburgers: Consumption of ground beef tends to be higher in the upper Midwest, with states like Alabama, Vermont, Indiana, and Kentucky ranking high.
States with Large Populations:
* States with large populations will naturally have higher overall consumption volumes, even if the per capita consumption is average. California, Texas, Florida, and New York have significant populations, which likely translates to substantial overall beef purchases.
States with Strong Ranching/Beef Production Culture:
* States with a strong ranching and beef production culture might also have higher local consumption. Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri are major beef-producing states, and this cultural connection could influence local demand.
Regional Sales Data:
* Data from the beef industry indicates that the South Central states purchased the most retail meat case beef per capita in 2018, followed by the Plains and West. California trailed in per capita retail beef purchases.
Therefore, while a definitive ranking is unavailable, the states that likely purchase the most beef overall are a combination of those with high per capita consumption and large populations. These likely include:
* Texas: High beef production, strong beef culture, and a large population.
* California: Large population and high consumption of steak.
* Florida: Large population and high consumption of steak.
* Illinois: Higher overall meat consumption and a large population.
* Other states in the Midwest and South Central regions likely also have significant beef purchasing volume due to a combination of per capita consumption and population.
It’s important to remember that these are inferences based on available data, and a precise ranking of total beef purchased by state is not readily available.

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