MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — Thanksgiving is just around the corner. For some, that means eating lots of turkey and sweets. As agricultural experts tell me, that meal could come with a price this year.
“We are a home-like bakery, working with small scratches. Everything is made from scratch and fresh every week,” said Lorraine Richie, owner of Lorraine’s Bake Shop on Dexter Avenue in Montgomery.
Richie enjoys sharing her sweet creations with her customers, but she says that cost to create has gone up. “We have not reflected that increase in our prices. But unfortunately, that will probably have to take place at some point. But right now, you know, there’s not many choices. You need the eggs, and the butter, and the products to create,” explained Richie.
Johnny Adams, CEO of the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, said poultry prices have not fully recovered from the pandemic. He said input costs are still high to produce pork, beef, and all animal protein.
“There’s be plenty of food. But you might want to go a little bit early, cause those turkeys really do begin to start selling about a week out,” said Adams. “So, you might want to get on down to the grocery store now.”
Rick Pate, commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Industries, said grocery prices are higher overall. But poultry prices are stable.
“We’ve done a good job. We had a year or two ago, some avian influenza that got into poultry. We weren’t prepared for it,” said Pate. “Now, we’ve actually sort of grown that industry to accommodate those losses that we do have, so I think there’ll be plenty.”
Commissioner Pate said we’re coming off of three strong years of inflation. “Yeah, it’s gonna be pricier,” he remarked. “I think that- I’ve always said that the food supply in the United States and Alabama is abundant, it’s safe, it’s sustainable. We do one thing really well, and that’s feed ourselves in this country. And so, I hope that continues.”
Despite the inflation, Adams said farmers are working hard. “They’re very good at what they do. And you know, they’re just doing everything they can to make sure that there’s a product to feed America, and the world,” said Adams.
Adams explained there is no shortage in the poultry industry that he’s aware of. He said the industry is very efficient with little waste.
