Is There Really a Shortage of Corned Beef? Exploring the Complex Factors Behind Grocery Store Supply Issues

Walk into any grocery store lately and you may have noticed empty shelves where corned beef usually sits. With Passover and Easter coming up, two holidays where corned beef is a popular meal component consumers are worried about whether they’ll be able to get their hands on this deli staple. Is there truly a corned beef shortage or are other factors at play? This article will take a nuanced look at the complex forces within the current food supply chain impacting corned beef availability.

Why Do Stores Seem to Be Out of Corned Beef?

Over the past two years consumers have experienced shortages of many household goods from toilet paper and cleaning supplies to certain foods. Supply chain issues caused by COVID-19, labor shortages material and ingredient scarcity, and other economic impacts of the pandemic have made it harder for manufacturers to keep up with demand. For corned beef specifically, several forces are converging

• Increased demand – More consumers cooking at home and looking for deli meat as an easy meal solution. Holiday meal prep is also driving up orders.

• Labor shortages – Meat processing plants are impacted by worker shortages, putting constraints on production capacity.

• Transportation bottlenecks – Issues like trucker shortages and port congestion make it harder to get products to stores quickly.

• Supply chain instability – Disruptions at any point in the supply chain, from ingredients to packaging, restrict output.

• Food inflation – Rising production costs for beef and other expenses means companies are also trying to balance affordability and profit margins.

Unpacking the Factors Limiting Corned Beef Supply

To understand what’s really going on with corned beef, let’s break down the key factors at play:

Increased Consumer Demand

• More at-home cooking since 2020 has boosted demand for pre-cooked meats like corned beef. One report found deli meat sales up over 15% in 2021.

• Meal kits and prepared foods also rely on corned beef as an ingredient, further driving up orders.

• Holiday meals centered around brisket and corned beef drive seasonal demand spikes. This compounds regular demand issues.

Labor Shortages Within Meat Processing

• From slaughterhouses to packaging plants, meat companies are struggling to staff facilities.

• Labor shortages in the industry pre-date the pandemic, but COVID-19 exacerbated the problem due to health concerns and competition from other industries.

• One major corned beef producer, Hormel, stated worker absences amid Omicron were hindering production.

• Without enough workers, plants run under capacity and can’t meet demand.

Transportation and Logistics Complications

• Trucker shortages and port congestion delay shipments of finished corned beef to warehouses and stores.

• Ongoing supply chain problems like lack of shipping containers and backups at ports cause ripple effects.

• Fuel costs also drive up transportation expenses, squeezing meat companies’ bottom lines.

Scarcity of Key Ingredients and Materials

• Corned beef relies on imports of beef from other countries which have faced their own shortages.

• Spices, preservatives, aluminum for cans, and other ingredients have been hit by scarcity and inflation.

• Packaging materials including cardboard, plastic, and labels also impact how much finished inventory makes it to shelves.

Rising Expenses and Tight Profit Margins

• Surging utility, transportation, labor, and materials costs make production more expensive.

• To balance affordability and earnings, companies curb production volumes.

• Grocers also feel inflationary pressure and may opt for lower corned beef inventory to reduce costs.

• Weather events like droughts further drive up input costs in the supply chain.

Efforts to Increase Supply and Meet Demand

With so many factors squeezing corned beef output, what can be done to stabilize availability and improve grocery inventories? Here are some current initiatives:

• Increasing staffing – Meat companies are offering bonuses and benefits to attract and retain more plant workers. More labor means more production capacity.

• Adding production days – Some major corned beef producers have added work days, shifts, and overtime to maximize output.

• Partnering with retailers – Brands are working closer with grocery chains to align supply and demand and prevent shortages.

• Developing alternate suppliers – Expanding the supplier base increases stability if one provider faces materials shortages or other constraints.

• Adjusting recipes – Tweaking ingredients and proportions can account for lower stocks of certain spices or preservatives.

• Ramping up imports – With U.S. beef supply tight, increasing reasonably-priced imports helps supplement domestic protein production.

• Reducing variety – Focusing on top-selling classics over niche flavors streamlines manufacturing and inventory.

The Outlook for Corned Beef Going Forward

Shoppers desperate to make their corned beef and cabbage dinners may be wondering how long these shortfalls might last. Here are some predictions based on current trends:

• Gradual improvement over 2022 – As more production capacity comes online and supply chain stressors improve incrementally, we could see inventory levels slowly correcting.

• Periodic holiday demand spikes – situational shortages are likely around major holidays when orders predictably surge.

• Potential for regional and spot shortages – Imbalances in regional supply and demand could lead to temporary shortfalls in some areas.

• Continued inflationary pressure – Rising costs will remain an issue shaping consumer prices and inventory decisions by retailers in the short term.

• Possible lasting changes to product mix – Brands may permanently cut niche SKUs and packaging formats to simplify operations.

Shopping Strategies for Finding Corned Beef

With diligence and flexibility, shoppers can still land their corned beef through the current supply uncertainty. Here are some tips that may help your search:

• Seek out off-cuts like brisket point if classic corned beef brisket is scarce. These can be prepared very similarly.

• Look for alternative preparations like no-salt versions or corned beef sold in a pouch or tray instead of a can.

• Ask your grocer’s deli counter if they have any un-sliced corned beef inventory in the back still.

• Try checking your store first thing in the morning when inventory is freshest.

• Substitute other cured meats like pastrami, ham, or turkey if you can’t find corned beef.

• Get corned beef from alternate retailers like butchers, warehouse clubs, or online stores.

• Buy now and freeze extra inventory if you do spot corned beef stocked on shelves.

• Consider making your own corned beef from brisket if all else fails!

Preparing for Ongoing Grocery Uncertainty

From inflation to shortages, today’s shoppers have adopted a flexible mindset when grocery shopping. Here are some ways we can all adapt in response:

• Plan ahead – Track sales cycles and ads so you can stock up on key items when available.

• Shop seasonally – Take advantage of winter inventory clearances or seasonal meat promotions when you see them.

• Be open to substitutions – Loosening strict meal plans allows you to work with whatever’s in stock.

• Freeze extra – Freezing surplus corned beef when available gives you backup for when it’s hard to find.

• Shop locally – Butcher shops and smaller grocers may have better luck keeping niche items in stock.

• Limit waste – Use leftovers creatively and compost anything you can’t finish to save money and resources.

While corned beef shortages can be frustrating, a willingness to adjust coupled with a little creativity opens up possibilities in the kitchen. With time, corn beef supplies should rebalance as disruptions heal. But in the meantime, remaining flexible amid grocery uncertainty helps us adapt.