Thread: Bacon Shortage in 2017?

-An insatiable demand for bacon depleted frozen pork belly supplies in the U.S. to a record low level for December, but the pork industry is confident it can keep up with demand and avoid any serious shortages.

Bottom line: A pound of bacon may cost a little more as winter wears on, but prices should stabilize by summer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported last week that pork bellies in cold storage fell to 17.7 million pounds last month, the lowest December inventory since records began in 1957. In comparison, more than 52.3 million pounds of pork bellies — the cut of the hog from which bacon is derived — remained in storage in December 2015.

"Veterans of the industry say clearly this is record-breaking stuff," said Russell Barton, a market reporter for protein analyst firm Urner Barry. "December is the lowest on record. They really haven't ever seen a situation like this before."

Pork bellies are usually stockpiled in freezers at the end of the year and the first few months of the next year to get through the summer peak months when bacon consumption is highest, Barton said. This season, bacon demand was high enough that fresh pork bellies were used as quickly as they were produced, leaving significantly less meat to store.

Prices at the wholesale level already are showing an increase. Tuesday's pork belly prices were at $1.71 a pound, about 37 percent higher than this time last year, Barton said. Retail bacon prices haven't jumped significantly but could climb as the industry works to catch up...

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireSto...rtage-45204887

I honestly thought this was from a satire news site. Seriously. I mean I know that there are people on here who take their bacon pretty seriously, but nothing better to report on ABC? Musta been a slow day.

I like bacon but rarely eat it. I don't like it stuck on every sandwich when I eat out. I can't remember the last time I bought any.

Bacon shortage? That would be the tragedy of the century.

Nothing like crisp bacon with a dollop of spinach!

They had a lot of spinach in Wal Mart when I was there. They carry organic.

Originally Posted by curly sue

They had a lot of spinach in Wal Mart when I was there. They carry organic.

Yeah, I buy the organic baby spinach in the package. Plenty so far.

While I lurve me some bacon, I don't like it on chicken or a burger either - Ewww - Too much salty meat together