Prime vs Choice Ribeye Loin

[ClodHopper37869]

Costco is the only place that I've been the always have prime in stock. From what I've bought and remember, the prime today is not as marbled and tender as the IBP Choice+ ribeye loins (choice + is what the salesman called it he said they would all grade high choice) and we bought several a month back in the 80's for the restaurant.

So my question is have the grade standards been lowered?
and what % of American beef grades prime??

 

[Son of Butch]

Grade standards haven't been lowered and a significant higher % are grading prime than 30 years ago. I don't have the current numbers. But USA population is also up from 30 years ago, not sure how that affects distribution percentages.