Finally, a way to put this summer's drought into terms the foodiots will really understand: A BACON SHORTAGE IS COMING! Yup, according to Britain's National Pig Association "a world shortage of pork and bacon next year is now unavoidable." But wait! There is still a glimmer of hope that you'll still be able to get the candy of the meats in the future without spending an arm and a leg: cheap Chinese pork.
Because of this year's drought the cost of feeding little Wilburs corn and soy has jumped dramatically. So farmers are sending more pigs to the slaughterhouse as a way to avoid paying for all that feed. Which is leading to herds "declining at a significant rate, and this is a trend that is being mirrored around the world."
In the U.S. last month, pork supply soared to a record 580.8 million pounds—up 31 percent from the year before. Which is nice and tasty for now, but means pricier pork when the bacon's been brought home and cooked.
Still, as Foreign Policy notes, there is hope: "With 446 million pigs—one for every three people—China is the world's undisputed porcine superpower. The Saudi Arabia of pork if you will." In fact, in 2008 the Chinese government started a "strategic pork reserve," in which it keeps "icy warehouses around the country stocked with frozen pork that can be released during times of shortage." So if pig prices go through the roof, perhaps they'll open up their reserves to the market?
