The coronavirus has caused concerns for grocery stores. First there was the shortage on toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Then there was a run on all bread, eggs and dairy. Now it is looking like meat might be next.
On a national level major meat suppliers like Tyson Foods and Smithfield Foods have halted production after a rash of outbreaks. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million food and retail workers, said Tuesday that 20 food-processing union workers in the U.S. have died from COVID-19.
Locally the affects of the meat shortage are being felt at the family owned and operated Mosier’s Market in Raymond. The market, that has been in operation since 1976, is known for its butcher shop, but according to store manager Andy Mosier meat is becoming harder to find.
“Right now we are trying to find a third and fourth supplier,” Mosier said. “Our first two don’t have much so I have been spending more time on the phone then cutting meat.”
Mosier went on to say that he is having trucks come in that may only have a box of roast or ribeyes so he is only able to provide certain cuts of meat. With his meat running thin, Mosier is having to look further to keep his supply coming in, but he also wants to keep supplying the quality meat his customers are accustomed to.
“We are trying to keep our orders in Ohio,” Mosier said.
Mosier added that by keeping his orders local he can also keep delivery cost down, which he can pass on to his customers. But he can’t keep the prices as low as he would like.
“We are seeing prices jump as high as $2 (per pound) more than what I usually pay,” Mosier said.
“We try not to jump prices to quickly, but this time it is a rapid jump.”
Even with the increase in prices it isn’t keeping customers away. Mosier posted an apology for the increase in meat prices on the market’s Facebook page that was met with support from the community.
“It makes you feel good,” Mosier said about the Facebook comments. “We are trying to support them and they are supporting us in return.”
But the price hike is affecting business in other areas.
“We try and make our ads two weeks in advance, but prices are changing so quickly I can’t stick to those prices,” Mosier said.
Mosier added that the shortage of meat is uncertain for the future.
“Talking with some suppliers they believe this is going to get worse and it may continue into June,” he said.
But those shortages could come to an end sooner than expected. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday using the Defense Production Act to classify meat processing as critical infrastructure to try and prevent a meat shortage.