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| Aporkalypse No - US bacon shortage denied | Aporkalypse No - US bacon shortage denied |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| US pig producers have quashed fears of a bacon shortage in the country. | US pig producers have quashed fears of a bacon shortage in the country. |
| Mild online panic spread after US Department of Agriculture data showed reserves of frozen pork belly - from which bacon is cut - were at a record low. | Mild online panic spread after US Department of Agriculture data showed reserves of frozen pork belly - from which bacon is cut - were at a record low. |
| Hashtags including #BaconShortage and #BaconReserves broke out on Twitter. | Hashtags including #BaconShortage and #BaconReserves broke out on Twitter. |
| But while some predict prices of the breakfast favourite may rise, the industry insists there is no danger of supplies running out. | But while some predict prices of the breakfast favourite may rise, the industry insists there is no danger of supplies running out. |
| Pork belly reserves had hit about 8.2 million kg in December, according to the government figures, compared with about 22.7 million kg a year earlier. | Pork belly reserves had hit about 8.2 million kg in December, according to the government figures, compared with about 22.7 million kg a year earlier. |
| That was put down to fresh supplies being used as quickly as they were being produced, meaning less for freezing and stockpiling. | That was put down to fresh supplies being used as quickly as they were being produced, meaning less for freezing and stockpiling. |
| 'More pigs than ever' | 'More pigs than ever' |
| The lower levels of pork reserves were pointed out by the Ohio Pork Council, a lobby group for pig farmers. | The lower levels of pork reserves were pointed out by the Ohio Pork Council, a lobby group for pig farmers. |
| But it later claimed that the observation - as well as the setting up of a baconshortage.com website (which now seems to have been taken down) - was not intended to create concern. | But it later claimed that the observation - as well as the setting up of a baconshortage.com website (which now seems to have been taken down) - was not intended to create concern. |
| "Today's pig farmers are setting historic records by producing more pigs than ever," Ohio Pork Council president Rich Deaton said. | "Today's pig farmers are setting historic records by producing more pigs than ever," Ohio Pork Council president Rich Deaton said. |
| Market analysts expect US pork production to rise by about 3% this year, with more processing plants in the pipeline to meet the increased demand. | Market analysts expect US pork production to rise by about 3% this year, with more processing plants in the pipeline to meet the increased demand. |
| Bacon is a staple in many breakfasts, burgers and barbecues, particularly in America. | |
| Major restaurant chains like Wendy's and McDonald's have also contributed to increased bacon demand after introducing all-day breakfast menus. | Major restaurant chains like Wendy's and McDonald's have also contributed to increased bacon demand after introducing all-day breakfast menus. |
| Pork belly prices also hit their highest level in more than a year on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange this week. | Pork belly prices also hit their highest level in more than a year on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange this week. |
| As a result, traders say wholesale pork belly prices are about 37% higher than they were at the same time last year, though this has not yet translated to significantly higher prices for consumers. | As a result, traders say wholesale pork belly prices are about 37% higher than they were at the same time last year, though this has not yet translated to significantly higher prices for consumers. |
| However bacon eaters will likely see the higher prices in about three months, David Maloni, president of research firm American Restaurant Association told Reuters. | However bacon eaters will likely see the higher prices in about three months, David Maloni, president of research firm American Restaurant Association told Reuters. |
| It is not just in the US where pork availability - and prices - are a serious matter. | It is not just in the US where pork availability - and prices - are a serious matter. |
| In China, the world's largest pork consumer, the government has on occasions intervened by releasing more of the meat onto the market to curb prices and help control inflation. | In China, the world's largest pork consumer, the government has on occasions intervened by releasing more of the meat onto the market to curb prices and help control inflation. |