In the spring of 2024, experts began warning that the United States is experiencing a decline in the beef supply that could lead to shortages and as a result increasing prices. In addition to impacts on the food industry, lower beef production is impacting the availability of byproducts from beef production, including fetal bovine serum (FBS), which is widely used in the life sciences industry. However, there are steps research labs and bioproduction companies can take now to safeguard their access to sera to manage the current fetal bovine serum decline and an expected future shortage.
Why Are Experts Predicting the Tightening Beef Supply Will Continue?
According to recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates, beef production could be about 5% lower in 2025 compared to 2024—a declining trend that's expected to continue for the next few years. In fact, beef cow inventory in January 2023 was 3.6% less than the previous year. The current decrease in beef production follows years of shrinking herds that have put the U.S. beef herd at its lowest ebb since 1951, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
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35%
Decline in global FBS availability over the past few years.
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150%
Surge in average FBS pricing since 2020.
Although the decline in fetal bovine serum might feel slight, Mark Koza, Business Director, Media and Serum at Corning Life Sciences and current board member at the International Serum Industry Association (ISIA) states “While the anticipated 5% reduction in the cattle herd doesn’t sound that disruptive, it's crucial to highlight the projected 30-50% decrease in FBS production this will cause, as ranchers are more selective about what cattle is sent for processing vs. what they retain. This is a significant concern that requires the life science industry’s immediate attention and strategic planning to ensure FBS supply is secured for years to come.”
Experts cite multiple factors contributing to the tight supply of beef, including ongoing drought conditions in multiple states, recent wildfires in Texas, higher input costs, supply chain issues, and producers' efforts to rebuild their herds after previous losses.
What we’re seeing isn’t a temporary fluctuation, it’s a structural shortage. Global FBS availability is down, demand keeps rising, and the gap between the two is widening every quarter.
Mark Koza, Business Director of Cell Culture Media at Corning
How to Plan Around the Tightening Supply on Fetal Bovine Serum
Just as the food industry anticipates that the beef supply will continue to get tighter, the same effect is expected for the sera industry. In addition, the growing demand for FBS could further impact availability.
Nearly all laboratories and production lines rely on FBS to support cell culture applications, whether in small-scale research or in large-scale bioproduction, so a fetal bovine serum shortage would have significant repercussions throughout the life sciences industry. However, there are a few steps FBS users can take now to secure their supply chain.
How to Secure Your Fetal Bovine Serum Supply
1. Proactively Plan with Your Primary Fetal Bovine Serum Supplier
Not all suppliers have equal access to sera. Some heavily rely on a supply chain that they don't own to source sera—making their supply more vulnerable to changes in the market. Conversely, by working with a supplier that has direct relationships with abattoirs and a fully integrated supply chain, your lab can get access to a more stable supply and reduce the risk of experiencing shortages.
James Carver, Director of Business Operations for Media and Sera at Corning, highlighted the importance of partnerships in weathering market dynamics. "The fact of the matter is, natural products always have a degree of variability and cyclic behavior from a supply perspective," he explained. "The goal is to establish a partnership with a source that can insulate you from these fluctuations in volume and price."
Some FBS suppliers, like Corning Life Sciences, have long-term supply assurance with key government-approved abattoirs in the U.S., as well as a vertically integrated supply chain. This arrangement ensures a stable supply and enables Corning to maintain strict control over procedures and quality at every step, from blood collection through processing and transportation.
To further secure your FBS supply, check with your current sera supplier to understand whether they have full control of their supply chain. If they don't, work with them to map out a long-term supply plan that will mitigate risks and meet your FBS needs. Or, take the opportunity to validate other suppliers with a secure supply chain.
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Dr Maya Kensington
Dr. Maya Kensington is a biotechnology researcher specializing in cell-culture optimization and serum-supply strategy. With more than a decade of experience working alongside biomanufacturers and research labs, she focuses on helping teams navigate supply-chain constraints, evaluate alternative media systems, and maintain experimental continuity during industry-wide shortages.
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Daniel Reaves, MSc
Daniel Reaves is a life-science supply-chain analyst with expertise in raw-material forecasting and bioprocess risk management. He has worked with global suppliers and early-stage biotech companies to model FBS market fluctuations, long-term pricing trends, and procurement strategies that safeguard research workflows in volatile conditions.