screwworm outbreak could make your grocery bill spike — here’s why you’ll pay more for meat
If you thought high food prices were bad, a new screwworm infestation is threatening livestock across the southern U.S., and experts warn it could mean steeper costs for beef, pork, and chicken at the checkout counter. The screwworm, a flesh-eating fly larvae that targets warm-blooded animals, has been detected in cattle and pigs in key farming regions, prompting quarantine zones and mass animal culls. For consumers, this means fewer animals make it to market, shrinking supply and pushing up prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is scrambling to contain the outbreak, but the immediate fallout hits your wallet: expect higher ground beef, pork chops, and even fast-food combo prices in the coming weeks. What’s worse, your tax dollars may fund the eradication effort, so you’re paying twice — once at the store and once through federal aid. Stock up on affordable cuts now, because this screwworm situation is about to sting your budget.