CINCINNATI, Ohio — Because meat suppliers are low-staffed right now, dozens of Ohio butchers have been hit hard with a meat shortage.
Many of them have had to raise their prices and this is something they say has had a significant impact on their business.
- Meat supplier lack of staff causes meat shortage
- Meat prices for chicken, pork and beef have increased
- The shortage and price increases have negatively impacted butchers
- Butchers predict that the shortage is temporary
What You Need To Know
For the past 126 years, Wassler Meats has been the home of a variety of different meat. Production Manager Michael Wassler says they’ve never experienced anything like this in the 100 plus years they’ve been in business.
“Prices have really gone up, said Wassler. “Some prices are up almost 50 percent in the last couple of weeks and some items aren’t even available for purchase right now. So, it’s really affected things within the last two weeks.”
Wassler says beef prices have gone up about 40 to 50 percent. Pork prices went up 25 to 35 percent and chicken went up 15 to 20 percent.
And Wassler Meats isn’t the only butcher in Ohio experiencing this price increase. R&R Quality Meats in Cincinnati have also been impacted. When owner Dan Thomas first found out about the shortage, he was surprised.
“My first thoughts were how long is this going to last and what are we going to do,” said Thomas.
Over the past week or so they’ve just been trying to maintain and make the best out of the products they do have— which has been a little difficult, as many butchers have been running out of items like steak, a hot commodity for Memorial Day weekend.
“Unfortunately not being able to give customers what they’re looking for is very frustrating, but they understand that it’s out of our control, not being able to get certain items,” said Wassler.
One of those understanding customers is Kelly McCartney, who says despite the price increase, he’s still willing to buy the meat.
“We feel comfortable enough to pay that little extra to get what we want and we’re comfortable with that,” said Mccartney.
The meat shortage may be hurting prices now, but many butchers say they’re optimistic about the future.
“I feel that it is temporary and I feel like by July we should be up and running pretty close to normal,” said Thomas. “Hopefully the prices will drop off as well and I think they will.”