SALISBURY, Md.- Bacon lovers on Twitter are screaming "aporkalypse!"
Agriculture experts are predicting a global bacon shortage because of droughts in the Midwest.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the country could see this shortage as early as next year and the price increase is already impacting local restaurants.
Soon bacon lovers worldwide might not have the option of adding bacon to their burgers.
A British trade group is also warning of a global bacon and sausage shortage.
Many in Salisbury took the news lightly.
"It wouldn't faze me because I'm a chicken lover," says Skip Brown of Salisbury.
"It just sounds weird because there's too many pork products out there. The pigs, the hogs. I was raised on a farm and pork, so I'm used to eating bacon," said Sheila Melson of Salisbury.
Others just can't get enough of it.
Just bacon. Bacon and eggs honey. Bacon and eggs with some pancakes," said Sonja Long of Salisbury.
The shortage could impact restaurant owners.
"It's not surprising. We expect prices to be driven up substantially because of the drought in the west," said Pat Scott, owner of Break Time Sports Grill & Pub in Salisbury.
"When food prices goes up we have two choices, we can raise our prices or we can internally just make less money ourselves and keep the costs the same," said Pete Roskovich, owner of Adam's Ribs in Fruitland.
Those increases could affect their bottom line.
"Without some highly creative budgeting, we lose every bit of that profitability. That's what's happening nationwide in the restaurant industry. You're seeing some of the highest failure rates, ever," said Scott.
"It has an impact on a lot of things. We have to constantly look at how can we cut and trim, or cut payroll back. If we have to cut one guy out an hour a week, it reduces his pay," said Roskovich.
While some local business owners say they have to remain optimistic that things will get better, others say they don't see any relief in the near future.
(Photo: WBOC)
