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Right now, the Illinois Farm Bureau finds consumer demand stable
across the beef, pork and poultry industries, which is good news
for all involved.
“Consumers are always looking for ways to access a wholesome
nutritious product, and protein definitely fits the bill,” she
told The Center Square. “Luckily we are seeing a strong consumer
demand for beef, pork and poultry.”
Supply is keeping pace with America’s appetite for meat, she
said, but drought conditions out west are being monitored.
“Right now, our beef herd, because of the continuing drought out
west, is continuing to shrink,” she said.
Another challenge she cited is that pork herd levels may have
been underestimated.
Overall, she is hopeful the demand for meat will survive
inflation, but "time will tell," she said.
“The market right now is a little unpredictable because of all
of the other external pressures that are out there," Bunting
said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports in its Food Price
Outlook for 2023 that beef and veal prices are expected to rise
0.7% for the year, but poultry could overshadow them with a 3.1%
spike. Meanwhile, pork prices are likely to drop by 2.5% for the
year, the outlook summary said.
Consumers may shop for cheaper cuts like hamburger rather than
rib-eye, but right now they are still investing in nutrition.
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