Wagyu Price Guide 2024: What to Pay for Each Grade

Current Market Prices (2024)

Japanese A5 Wagyu

Cut

Price Range/lb

Notes

|-----|---------------|-------|

Price factors: BMS score (8 vs 12 = major difference), prefecture (Kobe/Matsusaka premium), cut, and import costs.

American Wagyu

Ribeye	$150-250	BMS affects price significantly
Striploin	$120-200	Leaner than ribeye
Tenderloin	$180-300	Most expensive cut
Flat Iron	$80-120	Value A5 option
Chuck	$60-100	Excellent for yakiniku
Ground	$40-60	Burgers, tartare
Cut	Price Range/lb	Notes

|-----|---------------|-------|

Price factors: Genetics (F1 vs Fullblood = 2x price), producer reputation, BMS equivalent.

Australian Wagyu

Ribeye	$40-80	Wide range based on genetics
Striploin	$35-70	Good value
Tenderloin	$60-100	Premium pricing
Brisket	$15-25	Popular for BBQ
Ground	$12-20	Everyday luxury
Cut	Grade	Price Range/lb

|-----|-------|---------------|

Price factors: Fullblood vs crossbred (2-3x difference), MSA score, producer.

USDA Prime (Baseline Comparison)

Ribeye	Fullblood 9+	$80-150
Ribeye	Fullblood 7-8	$50-80
Ribeye	Crossbred	$30-50
Striploin	Fullblood 9+	$70-120
Striploin	Crossbred	$25-45
Cut	Price Range/lb

|-----|---------------|

Ribeye	$25-40
Striploin	$20-35
Tenderloin	$35-50

Price Red Flags

Too cheap:

• "A5 Wagyu" under $100/lb for ribeye = suspicious
• "American Wagyu" under $25/lb = likely not wagyu
• "Kobe" at any reasonable price in the US = probably fake

Too expensive:

• American Wagyu over $100/lb = paying for marketing
• Australian crossbred over $60/lb = overpriced
• Paying Kobe prices for non-Kobe = check certification

Where to Buy

Reputable Online Retailers

• The Meatery — Japanese A5, American, Australian
• Crowd Cow — Wide selection, verified sourcing
• Holy Grail Steak — Japanese prefectures
• Snake River Farms — American Wagyu (own production)

What to Look For

• Clear genetic information (Fullblood vs F1)
• BMS or MSA scores listed
• Origin/prefecture stated
• Verifiable certifications

Value Recommendations

Best value per dollar:

• Australian crossbred wagyu ($30-50/lb) — solid marbling, good price
• American Wagyu F1 ($40-60/lb) — familiar steak experience, enhanced
• Japanese A5 flat cuts ($80-120/lb) — A5 experience at lower price

When to splurge:

• Japanese A5 ribeye for special occasions
• Australian Fullblood 9+ for A5-comparable quality at better value
• American Fullblood for the best domestic option

When to save:

• Use Japanese A5 chuck/flat iron for everyday wagyu
• Australian crossbred for regular steak nights
• Ground wagyu for burgers and tartare