Poultry Prices Soar as Demand Continues to Outstrip Supply

The cost of poultry has risen sharply in recent months as demand for chicken and eggs continue to outstrip supply. The wholesale price of broilers, according to the USDA, has increased by more than 20% since the start of the year, while the price of eggs has risen by nearly 15%.

The cause of the price hike is twofold. First, an outbreak of bird flu has led to a reduction in the supply of poultry. Second, growing demand for chicken and eggs in countries such as China and India has outstripped available supply.

As a result, consumers are now seeing higher prices at grocery stores and restaurants. The average price of a dozen eggs is now over $3, up from around $2.50 a year ago. And the price of chicken breasts has increased from $2 per pound to $2.50 per pound.

Poultry producers have been struggling to keep up with demand, and many have had to idle production lines or reduce hours due to a lack of birds. The USDA says that production is expected to lag behind demand throughout 2016.

So what can consumers do to offset rising poultry prices? One option is to purchase frozen poultry instead of fresh poultry. Frozen chicken is typically cheaper than fresh chicken, and it can be stored in your freezer for several months.

Another option is to switch to lower-priced cuts of meat, such as pork or beef. And finally, you can try cooking more meals at home instead of eating out at restaurants. This will not only save you money but could also help you eat healthier.

Is the Days of Cheap Chicken Over?

Americans have become accustomed to cheap chicken. It's often one of the cheapest items at the grocery store. But that may be changing.

A recent study by the University of California found that the average price of chicken increased by 8.5% between June 2017 and June 2018. That's a significant increase, and it's expected to continue.

The main reason for the price increase is the rise in fuel prices. Chickens require food and water, which must be delivered to the farm. The cost of fuel affects how much it costs to produce chicken, and that cost is passed on to consumers.

Some experts are predicting that the price of chicken will reach $3 per pound in the next few years. That would be a dramatic increase from the current average price of $1.36 per pound.

So what does this mean for consumers? It's likely that we will see a shift away from chicken as the primary protein source in our diets. Beef, pork and lamb are all expected to become increasingly expensive, so people will likely turn to those sources instead.

This isn't good news for anyone involved in the chicken industry. Producers, processors and retailers will all see decreased profits. And as chicken becomes more expensive, fewer people will be able to afford it, which could lead to layoffs in these industries.

It remains to be seen whether this trend will continue, but for now, it looks like the days of cheap chicken are over.

Whole Chickens Now Costing More Than a Pound of Bacon

It's been a while since any news has been good for the bacon industry, but this might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Whole chickens have begun costing more than a pound of bacon on average at grocery stores across the US.

This is most likely due to the avian flu epidemic that has been sweeping through commercial chicken farms across the Midwest. The virus has lead to the culling of millions of chickens, sending prices skyrocketing.

While this is great news for chicken farmers, it spells disaster for bacon producers. The price of pork belly, from which bacon is made, has also increased in response to the chicken shortage, but not by nearly as much as chicken prices have risen. This means that, for consumers, it's now cheaper to buy a whole chicken than it is to buy a pound of bacon.

Bacon lovers everywhere are bracing themselves for what could be a difficult few months ahead. With bacon becoming increasingly unaffordable, many people may begin to forego this staple breakfast food in favor of less expensive alternatives.

So far, there are no indications that this trend will reverse anytime soon. In fact, it's possible that prices will continue to rise as the avian flu epidemic worsens. If this happens, it could mean big trouble for the bacon industry.

USDA Announces New Poultry Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 26, 2019 – Today the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new poultry regulations that will improve food safety and protect public health. The new regulations are a result of the agency's extensive review of the Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) prevention performance standards for chicken parts production.

The cornerstone of the new regulation is the elimination of seven "risky behaviors" that can lead to contamination on the production line. These risky behaviors include failing to clean machines and utensils, allowing contact between raw and cooked poultry, and failing to properly cool processed poultry. USDA will also increase its scrutiny of facilities that produce mechanically-separated chicken parts, which have been linked to several recent outbreaks of SE.

"These new poultry regulations will make our food supply safer by eliminating risky behaviors on the production line and increasing scrutiny of facilities that process chicken parts," said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. "We will continue to work hard to protect Americans from harmful foodborne illnesses, and these new rules are an important step forward in that effort."

The announcement comes just weeks after President Donald J. Trump signed the " Keeping Food Safe Act of 2018 ," which made several key changes to USDA's food safety authority, including expanding recall powers and establishing a task force to develop a unified national strategy for preventing foodborne illness outbreaks.

Farmers Struggle as Prices Continue to Fall

The prices farmers receive for their products have been falling for years, and there is no end in sight. This decline has created a lot of stress and uncertainty in the farming community.

"It's been pretty depressing," said one farmer. "I've never seen anything like it."

Farmers are being forced to make tough choices, such as whether to invest in new equipment or to take on more debt. Some are even considering giving up their farms altogether.

The low prices are a result of several factors, including overproduction and trade disputes. The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, which has led to a decline in demand for American agricultural products.

Many farmers are hoping that the situation will improve soon, but there is no guarantee that will happen. In the meantime, they will continue to struggle financially and emotionally.