BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Here's something else we can blame the pandemic on. There's a national chicken shortage. Your favorite bars and restaurants can't get the wings they need and prices are soaring as a result.
"For the past six months, we've noticed a decline in the number of cases of chicken that we receive on a weekly basis," said Dave Czuprynski, Vice President of Purchasing at Latina Foods, a food distributor and main supplier of local restaurants.
As more business opens up, chicken deliveries are slowing down.
Why is it happening? Labor is the biggest issue. "There are not enough people working at the production level. They can't get people to come to work. There are help wanted signs everywhere," said Czuprynski. He doesn't see the situation changing anytime soon.
Over the last few months, costs have risen dramatically. "The cost of a menu item that is on just about every menu in Western New York, has just about doubled."
With the cost doubling, it's becoming difficult for restaurants to make the same profit margins that they need to stay viable.
So far, Latina Foods has been able to fill all of their orders, but Czuprynski is concerned with Memorial Day coming up and with football season right around the corner. "Western New Yorkers love their chicken wings around football season," added Czuprynski.
Wing Fest will be another hurdle. Buffalo hosts the National Chicken Wing Festival at Sahlen Field downtown each year. It's scheduled for Labor Day weekend, September 4 and 5. "I've had conversations with Wing King Drew Cerza this past week," saud Czuprynski. "I can't answer him one way or the other about whether there will be enough wings."
The shortage is not unique to chicken. "This is across every protein that we sell. Beef, chicken and pork. Everything has gone up dramatically. In addition, prices of ancillary items at restaurants have also gone up. Fryer oil for example. That has doubled in price since last year.
The shortages are across the board and Czuprynski said it comes down to the production facilities not being able to produce enough product.
"Blame it on Covid. We're still feeling the effects of people not wanting to go back to work, whether they're afraid or something else. We need labor to get back to work," he said.
