SOUTHINGTON, CT (WFSB) - Beef prices are continuing to soar across Connecticut and the country. According to new government data released in July, the price of a pound of ground beef rose 14 cents since May. It was a much larger jump in price compared to last year.

Steaks and hamburger patties are already expensive, but now the price of beef is reaching record highs. Ground beef is up nearly 12% from a year ago and there’s a few factors that could be playing into the spike.

For many Americans, the cost of ground beef is starting to weigh down their weekly shopping baskets. Ground beef prices rose by 10.3% in June, when compared to the same time last year, surpassing $6 per pound. The price of steak rose by 12.4% within this period.