CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Your Fourth of July barbeque might cost more this year due to increased meat prices.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the rise in prices we are seeing is driven by high feed costs and strong demand; so has a worker shortage and a winter drought.
Beef, veal, pork, and poultry are all expected to increase an average of two to three percent this year. But Bill Begale, owner of Paulina Market in Roscoe Village, said he's seen some prices increase as much as 40%.
"There's multiple reasons. Obviously, the shortage of employees to process some of the meat," he said.
He said just about every cut is significantly more expensive right now.
"Every cut of meat is more money. Way higher than normal. Our beef tenderloin has gone up like $8 a pound. So it's a big, big, big jump. It's never been that high before, ever. And I've been here since 1984," Begale said.
He said people still need to eat, so it hasn't affected his business too much so far.
"If people want a steak, they are going to want a steak. You can't avoid price increases on any steak, they are all up," Begale said.
But, the big question is: when will prices go back to normal?
Begale said we should see a decrease after this holiday weekend.
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