Wholesale beef markets are starting 2019 with a continuation of generally strong prices seen last year. For the first three weeks of the year, boxed beef cutout prices are up 2.9 percent for Choice and 3.4 percent for Select compared to the same period last year. In 2018, weekly boxed beef prices averaged 2.2 percent higher year over year compared to 2017. Wholesale beef prices were higher in 2018 despite a projected 2.8 percent increase in beef production and larger pork and poultry supplies. For the week ending Jan. 18, 2019, Choice boxed beef prices were $212.36/cwt. and Select boxed beef price was $207.07/cwt.