You Might Have to Fork Over More for Bacon Soon

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On Wednesday, the mere mention of a looming bacon shortage was enough to send meat fans into a panic.

But you can calm down, now: U.S. pig producers are trying to reassure bacon-loving Americans that there is plenty of bacon to go around, the BBC reports.

A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that America’s frozen pork belly inventory is low, which spurred the Ohio Pork Council to issue a warning to consumers about a looming shortage and to create a website coined BaconShortage.com.

But industry experts are quick to point out that although America’s pork reserves are down, that’s a far cry from a bacon shortage.

Steve Meyer is the vice president of pork analysis for EMI Analytics. He tells The New York Times:

“To imply that there’s going to be some shortage of bacon is wrong. There’s plenty of hogs coming. There’s going to be plenty of bacon.”

While bacon lovers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing their favorite meat won’t be in short supply this year, they might want to prepare their pocketbook for a hike in the price of bacon.

The BBC reports that pork belly prices hit their highest level in a year on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange this week, and that fact will eventually lead to increased bacon prices for consumers.

You might want to stock up on bacon now if you don’t want your pocketbook to take an extra hit once bacon prices go up.

David Maloni, president of the American Restaurant Association, says bacon prices will head higher in about three months, the BBC reports.

Do you plan to stock up on bacon in hopes of avoiding the price hike? Sound off below or on Facebook.

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