Beef sales are doing very well in Texas and around the United States, as beef demand soared last year during the pandemic and they've been seeing the highest sales in decades.

But high prices are rising right along with that demand, though experts in the industry urge that there isn't any beef shortage to worry about. Last year we saw supplies run out in some markets because of COVID-19 related supply chain issues but right now things are different.

As grilling season approaches the demand is up and prices are rising along with it.

“The 50,000-foot view is that all meat will be more expensive when calculated through 2021,... Grain prices are higher, exports are stronger and there’s a tighter supply of all proteins.” - K Good, VP of Industry Relations for CattleFax, an independent research, information and analysis service for the beef industry.

Right now they are seeing stronger than normal seasonal demand for beef and that is reportedly contributing to the price run right now.

U.S. Chicken Wing Shortage

With meat prices going up for some it might mean trying to come up with different dishes to accommodate in the change for those businesses that are already financially struggling.
Right now we also have the ketchup packet shortage and the chicken wing shortage, and some restaurants might already be charging for ketchup when they usually don't. They might also stop serving chicken wings because they cannot find any at the moment.

A bubble tea or boba shortage hitting the U.S. right now is also expected to last for several months.

It is going to take a long time for some of those markets to get things back in balance from where things are today, for some it could take weeks or months. In the meantime you are likely to see higher prices or simply a lack of options when they run out, but eventually things should return more to normal.

In the meantime the list might grow, with oat milk running short next, along with used cars already seeing short supply, and potentially other market areas soon joining.