Buzz
If you've recently noticed your favorite bar or restaurant increasing the price of buffalo chicken wings, you're not imagining it. The confluence of several factors is pushing the price up, and wing lovers might have a tough time ahead.
Various news sources report that a chicken wing shortage is happening, but the reasons are a bit unclear. Some attribute it to the pandemic, where the surge in demand for takeout increased the need for wings, while others, like the National Chicken Council, mention that a harsh winter caused power outages and production disruptions at poultry plants. This all compounds the already high demand for chicken, boosted by the popularity of chicken sandwiches from places like Popeyes in 2019. In 2020, wing sales saw a 7 percent increase.
As a result, chicken wing prices have surged in recent months. In the northeast, wings that used to cost between $1.50 and $1.70 per pound now go for $3 or even $4 per pound. Big chains like Pizza Hut can handle these price hikes, but independent bars and smaller venues have no choice but to pass on the additional costs to their customers. Some are even choosing to remove wings from their menus altogether.
Mark Bullis, the owner of the Bull & Bear Roadhouse in Syracuse, New York, shared his frustration with Syracuse.com: "The prices are outrageous. I can't, in good faith, pass these costs onto my customers, and even if I tried, I'd end up losing money."
Raw wings are the hardest to find right now, although boneless and par-cooked frozen wings are still in supply. However, since bars typically prefer to serve fresh wings, this doesn't offer much relief.
It's not just the wings that are expensive. Items like foil and gloves are also seeing steep price hikes due to high demand. All of these rising costs are making wing nights much pricier.
There is some hope on the horizon. Hatchery supplies, disrupted by severe weather in places like Texas and Alabama, are expected to recover, helping to balance the supply and demand. Until then, don't be surprised to find wings priced higher than usual—or even completely unavailable—at your local hangout.
