Introduction
As the demand for chicken continues to rise, reports are indicating that a chicken tender shortage may soon hit grocers and fast-food chains. This could mean that consumers may have to pay more for their favorite chicken dishes, or even worse, not be able to find them at all. In this article, Eat This Not That will provide an overview of the current situation and what it could mean for consumers. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make the most of the situation and still enjoy your favorite chicken dishes.
A Chicken Tender Shortage May Soon Hit Grocers and Fast-Food Chains, Reports Say
Chicken tenders are a staple of fast-food menus and grocery store shelves, but a shortage of the popular item may soon be on the horizon. According to reports, the poultry industry is facing a shortage of chicken tenders due to a combination of factors, including a decrease in the number of birds being raised and a surge in demand for the product.
The shortage is being driven by a decrease in the number of birds being raised, as well as a surge in demand for the product. The National Chicken Council estimates that the number of birds being raised in the U.S. has dropped by about 10 percent since the start of the pandemic, due to a combination of factors, including the closure of restaurants and other foodservice outlets, as well as the shift to more plant-based diets.
At the same time, demand for chicken tenders has surged, as consumers look for convenient, ready-to-eat meals. According to the National Chicken Council, the demand for chicken tenders has increased by more than 20 percent since the start of the pandemic.
The combination of these two factors has led to a shortage of chicken tenders, which is likely to hit grocers and fast-food chains in the coming weeks. The National Chicken Council is urging consumers to be mindful of the situation and to be prepared for potential shortages.
If you’re looking for an alternative to chicken tenders, there are plenty of other options available. From plant-based proteins to fish and seafood, there are plenty of delicious and nutritious options to choose from. So, if you’re looking for a tasty and healthy alternative to chicken tenders, Eat This Not That has you covered.
This year has proven to be a wild ride for chicken lovers. The ongoing chicken sandwich wars are far from over, with more fast-food chains introducing their takes on the ever-popular meal. Meanwhile, Costco and other grocery stores have faced shortages of items like chicken nuggets amid heightened demand and widespread supply chain problems hastened by the pandemic.
Though President Joe Biden and the federal government are getting involved, one beloved family food may soon be in short supply. If you have kids, your household freezer is likely typically be stocked with chicken nuggets or tenders. While they may seem similar, nuggets are made from scrap meat, whereas tenders are made from tenderloins. If you prefer the latter, listen up.
Related: Supply of These 2 Grocery Items Is Dwindling, Reports Say
“Americans are expected to eat 100 pounds of chicken per person this year,” NBC News’ Kerry Sanders reported on the Dec. 2 broadcast of The Today Show. “Tenders require more processing to package and sell, which industry experts say is part of the reason why they can be harder to find and now more costly when you get them in your local market.”
Value packs of tenders cost an average of $3.99 a pound right now, which represents an increase of almost $1 from last year, according to Sanders’ report.
However, fears that chicken tenders are flying the coop aren’t exactly new. National Chicken Council spokesman Tom Super told USA Today in May that there was a “very tight supply” of this in-demand food. At the same time, Tyson—the world’s second-largest processor of chicken—said high demand was partially to blame for a nationwide chicken shortage, tenders included.
And it’s not just grocery stores that may be impacted by a potential shortage of chicken tenders. In September, KFC made the decision to pause showing chicken tenders in advertisements. “On chicken tenders, we have enough to supply demand, but we would love to have more to be able to aggressively promote it on TV,” KFC U.S. President Kevin Hochman told Bloomberg’s Leslie Patton that month. “In terms of advertising and promotion, we’re going to focus on things we have abundant quantities of” such as bone-in chicken.
Fast-food chains are already paying higher prices to keep their freezers stocked. That raises the possibility that surcharges could be passed along to hungry customers.
For more on what’s happening at your neighborhood supermarket, check out: