The Cut Of Meat You Should Only Buy At Costco To Save A Ton Of Money

Lamb is often seen as a luxury meat, with prices ranging anywhere from $11.00 to over $25.00 per pound depending on the store. And while there are plenty of changes coming to your neighborhood Costco in 2025, one thing that's guaranteed is that they also offers this springtime delicacy, but usually at a much lower price — just $7.99 a pound. This means Costco's price beats grocery staples like Safeway, where lamb chops often go for $11.99 per pound. Beyond just the price, Costco's lamb chops also consistently get great reviews for their flavor, tenderness, and overall quality.

Raising lambs is expensive, especially in the U.S., where the average production cost per animal is often hundreds of dollars. Expenses like feed, labor, and even transportation can all further drive up retail prices, making lamb one of the pricier meat options at grocery stores. However, Costco sources most of its lamb from New Zealand and Australia, which helps with both quality and cost cutting. Costco is able to keep its lamb prices lower by buying directly from large-scale sheep farms — cutting out the middlemen. Another reason Costco can offer lower prices? Its bulk buying and selling model. Unlike traditional grocery stores that add big markups to premium meats, Costco buys in large quantities allowing it to sell products for less. This means shoppers can get high-end lamb without the high-end price. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Australia is one of the world's top lamb producers, known for its efficient farming and high-quality exports.

The high cost of lamb in the U.S. comes down to supply issues and farming challenges. For starters, the number of lambs in the U.S. continues to shrink, at the same time drought conditions have made farming even more difficult — further reducing supply. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the country does not produce enough lamb to meet demand. This naturally pushes prices up for consumers.

Another major factor in lamb prices comes down to imports and trade policies. According to the Wyoming Wool Growers Association, per Cowboy State Daily, over 70% of the lamb consumed in the U.S. is imported. This makes lamb prices highly sensitive to tariffs (which are ultimately passed on to consumers) and import quotas that can limit the amount of livestock brought into the country. These regulations can drive up costs, making lamb even more expensive for American consumers.

Rising transportation costs also contribute. Shipping meat isn't as simple as moving regular products — it requires specialized packaging and refrigeration to keep it fresh. Costs add up fast with vacuum-sealed packaging, insulated containers, and temperature-controlled shipping to ensure the meat arrives in good condition. On top of that, higher energy costs for refrigeration and handling fees can make the process even more expensive.

You can take advantage of Costco's incredible lamb chop prices by buying and storing your meat in bulk. Costco's packaging is already built for larger portions, and buying in bulk can lead to significant per-pound savings compared to smaller grocery store packs. Once bought, simply wrap individual lamb chops in plastic wrap or vacuum-seal to prevent freezer burn. For the refrigerator, you can store at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below for 3 to 5 days, and for freezing, you can store at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below for 4 to 12 months. Ensure that packages are labeled and dated to track freshness.

Also, remember to store raw meat in the coldest part of the freezer – not in the door. This can helps keep the temperature stable, preventing bacterial growth and keeping the meat's texture and flavor intact. Also, save additional time and money by cooking in batches. Buying meat in bulk costs less per pound, and by preparing meals ahead of time, you can stretch your budget while avoiding last-minute grocery runs. Plus, having a stocked freezer means you're not at the mercy of fluctuating meat prices, making meal planning easier and more predictable. You should be extra mindful of this because meat is one of eight Costco grocery items expected to skyrocket in price soon