Chicken prices at U.S. grocery stores have hit record highs and should stay elevated as Tyson Foods and other companies dial back poultry production to boost margins while inflation-weary shoppers buy chicken instead of beef and pork.

Higher chicken prices should improve earnings at top producers Tyson (TSN.N) and Pilgrim’s Pride (PPC.O), but will pinch consumers’ pockets as they try to save money by turning away from higher-end proteins. One index shows chicken producer profit margins at their highest in a year.

U.S. consumption of chicken is expected to exceed 100 pounds per person this year for the first time ever, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows.

Beef consumption is forecast to drop to its lowest since 2018, as prices climb due to dwindling cattle supplies. Meanwhile, consumer spending cuts have knocked pork consumption to the lowest since 2015.

Arkansas-based Tyson, which sells all three types of meat, had to deal with a glut of chicken after earning massive profits when meat prices soared during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • protist
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    9 months ago

    Dry falafel is the worst. Yes, it can be better, but also you need to have a yogurt sauce, some cucumbers, tomatoes, and tabbouleh. You don’t eat a hamburger patty plain, right?

    • theragu40@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      Uh. Am I not supposed to eat a hamburger patty plain? Lol. It’s just a flattened meatball after all…

      • SheeEttin@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        You can, but if you’re doing that, you should be mixing stuff into the meat. Personally I like to make them plain so that I can make a bunch, freeze them, and put different toppings on.

    • Toes♀@ani.social
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      9 months ago

      Ah that sounds like the key to what I’ve been missing. I didn’t realize it was meant to be mixed with anything else. Thanks I’ll have to try it again.