Chicken is the most popular meat worldwide. You probably go through hundreds of pounds of it at your restaurant or facility every year. So why is chicken so hard to find right now?.
The U. S. is experiencing a shortage of chicken meat because of supply chain issues. With suppliers running low on chicken, restaurants have been forced to raise their prices, which can frustrate customers. So what sparked the chicken shortage, and how long is it going to last?.
There is no single cause of the problem. Various factors led to the shortage, and it will take time for each one to become resolved. If you’ve been upset about not being able to find chicken wings for sale, know that you’re not the only one. It’s a perfect storm of problems that all occurred at once. Here is the story behind the U. S. chicken shortage.
If you go to any grocery store these days, you might notice that the chicken counter is missing something: chicken. Many shoppers are confused because there aren’t enough goods and the prices are too high. Why exactly is there a lack of chicken? The answers are complicated, as they are for most things. We’ll talk about the main reasons why the chicken supply is going down in this article.
The Pandemic Disrupted Chicken Production
The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on poultry production as it did with many industries. Processing plants were hit by outbreaks that forced temporary closures and labor shortages. With fewer workers available to process chickens farms faced difficulties getting their birds to market. Millions of chickens were culled on farms because there was no place for them to go.
This processing bottleneck significantly cut into the chicken supply And just as the industry was starting to recover in 2021, more obstacles emerged
Avian Flu Outbreaks Took Their Toll
In the past few years, millions of egg-laying hens and broiler chickens have died because of avian flu outbreaks. The virus, which is also known as “bird flu,” spreads very easily and made farmers have to kill their infected flocks. They say that since February 2022, avian flu has killed more than 43 million chickens.
To put this in perspective, Americans consume over 9 billion broiler chickens each year. So the bird flu losses alone aren’t enough to completely wipe out supply. But when combined with other factors, they definitely move the needle.
It Takes Time To Replenish Chicken Flocks
Bringing chicken production back up to full speed isn’t like flipping a switch – it takes time. After losing chickens to disease, it takes months to breed and hatch new chicks. Those chicks then need several weeks to grow before they start laying eggs or produce meat.
All told, it can take over 6 months to get a new egg-laying flock up and running. For broiler chickens raised for meat, who grow more quickly, it still takes 2-3 months to replenish inventory. This inherent lag time makes it difficult for supply to rebound quickly.
Feed Prices Have Soared
Chicken production doesn’t happen in a bubble – it interacts with complex global markets for corn, soy and other feed ingredients. When grain supplies fall short, or fuel prices make transportation costs skyrocket, chicken farmers take a hit.
In 2022 and 2023, the war in Ukraine had a big effect on grain markets. Ukraine sends a lot of corn and wheat abroad, but the conflict has stopped a lot of those goods from going through the Black Sea. Because of this, feed prices around the world have reached all-time highs, making it more expensive for farmers. For some, continuing chicken production is no longer financially viable.
Farmers Face Tough Choices
Feed costs are eating up more of farmers’ budgets, and they don’t know what will happen with avian flu. This means that many farmers have to make hard decisions. Their bottom line might be better off if they cut back on their chicken flocks or quit the business altogether.
But these moves further constrain supply. The USDA reports the number of egg-laying hens nationally has dropped by 6% compared to last year. And winter production of broiler chickens is down 2%.
Labor Issues Add Insult To Injury
From truck drivers to deliver feed to plant workers processing chickens, labor shortages plague the poultry industry. The tight job market makes it tough to fully staff operations. This limits how many chickens can be raised and processed.
On top of this, worker illnesses or turnover can completely halt production lines. It only takes a few missing workers to disrupt the intricate chicken supply chain. And right now disruptions are coming from many directions.
What’s The Outlook Moving Forward?
Experts say it could take a year or more for chicken production to fully recover. But even then, today’s high feed prices and production costs may be the new normal. Shoppers can expect continued higher chicken prices as a result.
The good news? The industry is working overtime to replenish flocks and boost output. And shoppers have an opportunity to explore different proteins, from pork to plant-based. A little creativity and flexibility in the kitchen can help offset the sting of pricier chicken.
In the end, the reasons for the shortage boil down to a perfect storm of setbacks for chicken farmers. But their resilience and our adaptable appetites can help weather this poultry supply crunch. The crisis may pass, though changes to the chicken business likely lie ahead.
Higher Demand for Chicken
Several fast-food restaurants have added chicken sandwiches since the beginning of the year. Why? With the pandemic, chains such as McDonald’s, KFC and Chick-fil-A are eager to draw people into their restaurants. Many of them shut down for a period during 2020, and with people still wary of eating out due to health concerns at the beginning of the year, the chains needed a way to entice customers back to their dining rooms.
Introducing new products has always been an effective way to draw people. All three of those restaurants and more have introduced new chicken sandwiches in 2021, increasing demand for chicken on top of all the other things affecting the industry.
Additionally, many people were drawn to comfort food during the pandemic. People want comfort wherever they can find it because of all the changes and unknowns in their lives. Food is one of those places. For example, ordering chicken wings made people feel better. They’re an indulgence and a familiar ritual. Demand for wings rose last year, and it hasn’t let up.
Chicken wings also travel well. Amidst the pandemic, more people have ordered food in. Food delivery apps saw usage double, and people learned to target their orders strategically. Chicken wings stand up to longer delivery times and are an easy choice when you want something everyone can share.
The pandemic forced poultry suppliers to implement new safety measures to limit coronavirus outbreaks. The new rules say that workers must be farther apart on lines where they used to work together to process more chicken per hour. Suppliers have hired doctors to make plants more compliant and clean them thoroughly, which causes the processing line to be down for longer periods of time.
Plants have also invested in personal protective equipment, which eats into profits and impacts the supply chain. Any changes take time to adjust to and affect productivity, which leads to less product coming off the line.
Lack of Labor at Meatpacking Plants
Many plants across the country have faced labor issues since the pandemic began. COVID-19 outbreaks in meatpacking plants have affected production. Workers had to quarantine or left the industry due to concerns over contracting the virus. Suppliers claim the increase in unemployment benefits has contributed to the labor shortage, as some workers are making more on unemployment than they did at the plant.
Attracting new workers has proven equally tricky. The booming job market has made hiring difficult. Many meatpacking plants are finding few applicants due to a range of factors, including:
- Concerns about child care: Since many students still learn from home, parents of younger kids need to be home to help with school. The problem might get better when more schools start teaching in person again in the fall. Some daycares have been closed during the pandemic, too.
- Concerns about health: COVID-19 rates have gone down, but working conditions at meatpacking plants make it hard to stay away from people. Even workers who have been vaccinated may worry about the health of their family. Because of this, some suppliers offer vaccinations to workers and their families.
- Concerns about pay: People may not want to go back to meatpacking plants because the pay is so low compared to other jobs. Finding workers has become harder because so many businesses are hiring. To keep their workers, suppliers have had to offer pay raises and flexible schedules.
Tough Cluck: America Is Facing A Chicken Shortage | TODAY
FAQ
Why is there a shortage on chickens?
This trend can be attributed to several factors, including concerns over food safety and the desire for more sustainable and self-sufficient living. Some experts also point to chicken disease outbreaks, such as Avian Influenza, which is said to account for the loss of 50 million commercial and backyard birds.
Why is chicken sold out everywhere?
Labor Shortages: The meat processing industry has faced labor shortages, which can lead to reduced production capacity. This can result in lower supply in stores. Demand Has Risen: As restaurants reopen and people get back to eating the way they did before the pandemic, there has been a rise in demand for chicken and other meats.
Why is there no chicken in supermarkets?
In the last 18 months, stores like Tesco, Sainsbury, and Morrisons have reduced the number of birds they keep in stock so that chickens have more room in their sheds. It means chicken producers need to open more sites to keep up production levels.
Is there a poultry shortage?
There is currently a poultry shortage, specifically a wing shortage. Here’s Why Chicken is far and away the most popular poultry, and also the most consumed protein generally. This headline may certainly spook you a bit.
Does chicken shortage affect food prices?
Yes, scarcity often leads to increased prices. Because chickens are hard to come by, prices for poultry products are likely to go up. This will affect both consumers and businesses that use chicken as a main ingredient. 8. How can the chicken shortage impact restaurants and fast-food chains?.
Is a chicken shortage imminent?
While a full-blown chicken shortage may not be imminent, higher prices are definitely something we could see as the bird flu outbreak continues to escalate. Is chicken the next thing that will be in short supply?
Why are there a shortage of chickens in the UK?
Many facilities experienced temporary closures to contain outbreaks among workers, causing a backlog of unsold chickens and leading to the culling of poultry in some regions. Transport disruptions have also hindered the delivery of poultry products to retailers and restaurants.
How will supply shortages affect the chicken industry in 2023?
Any disruptions at this stage can significantly affect the supply of chicken available to consumers. As of late 2023, the chicken industry has faced multiple challenges that have raised concerns about supply shortages. 1. Economic Factors The economic landscape plays a considerable role in the availability of chicken.
Is there a shortage of chickens in 2024?
Do you like this article? Chicken, being one of the most popular sources of protein globally, plays a vital role in our diets. However, it appears that the year 2024 is witnessing a considerable shortage of chickens, leading to uncertain times for poultry lovers and businesses alike.