Amid plant closures and reduced conventional meat production, organic or specialty breeds are booming.
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The US coronavirus pandemic it has reduced the capacity of the country’s meat producers and has transformed the supply of meat products. Many businesses experience a meat deficit, while special varieties abound for those with higher purchasing power, reports Bloomberg.
Thus, the production of luxury varieties such as pure-bred pork, grass-fed beef and farmed chicken have increased, while the mega-plants operated by Tyson Foods and Cargill produce 40% less conventional beef and pork.
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The cause of this imbalance may lie in the blow that the health crisis has dealt with the workers in these factories, who often come from low-income families. About 44% of them are Hispanic, while a quarter are African-American, two of the demographic groups most vulnerable to coronavirus.
At least 30 workers in the sector have died from coronavirus and more than 10,000 have been infected or exposed to contagion in the country, according to the International Union of Food and Commerce Workers, which indicates that some thirty factories have closed at some point in the last two months. Most of these closures occurred on large plants.
Advantages of small production
Meanwhile, the impact of the pandemic on the production of special variety meats is limited, for some of the same reasons that make these products more expensive. Smallholders have fewer employees, who are not “caught in working conditions side by side processing thousands of animals every day.” Social distancing is thus easier and companies can more easily comply with health precautions.
McGuireWoods Consulting Vice President Ryan Bernstein, who also operates a family farm in North Dakota, sees the current situation. “an opportunity for certain niche markets to emerge as a bigger component. “However, he admitted that for low-income families there will be a” double problem “: price and availability.” Of course, if you have a lower income, you are more sensitive to price changes. “he commented.
Consumer dilemma
According to Bloomberg, this “meat crisis” highlights a “variety of social divisions” both in factories and among consumers, who are facing rising unemployment and loss of income and have to choose between paying more for meat or refraining from buying it.
Thus, special meats are always available, but cost twice or more compared to the most affordable. An example is organic minced meat, which is sold at a premium of 87%. In turn, boneless, skinless organic chicken breasts are 164% more expensive than conventional ones.
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