Rising Meat Prices Impact Local Grocery Stores, Customers

As grocery prices continue to rise across the country due to inflation, the increase in meat prices is impacting local meat businesses. 

"Stores are not even able to get wings, we are still able to get them in, but we are seeing an increase in prices,” Perry's Food Store Manager Tricia White said.

Perry's Food Store is just one of many businesses impacted by rising meat prices. White said it concerns her customers.

"They debate whether or not they are going to get it,” White said.

"I'm questioning today right now as we speak,” Patricia Knight said. Knight said the higher prices forced her to cut back how much beef she can buy.

"It's sad, we can't eat the things we used to eat,” Knight said.

"The solution to high prices is high prices, so people will stop buying, but we haven't seen that yet with meat,” Eric Burkholder with Burkholder Wealth Management said.

Burkholder said meat prices have seen the biggest jump in 50 years. He said it's due to issues in both supply and demand, as not enough meat is available.

"During the pandemic, the supply of cattle that is ready to be processed dropped to the lowest levels since 1996,” Burkholder said.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, beef costs 3.3% more than just a year ago. And it comes at one of the busiest times of the year for stores like Perry’s.

Burkholder said they expect to see relief in meat prices by mid-summer.