Prices on groceries ranging from dairy products, bread, meats, and more rose between two and five percent nationally from March to April. Experts believe it’s too soon to tell just when prices might start to go back down.

Prices are now reaching record high levels.

“Not only are we confused, but so is everyone else in the country, so we don’t know how long this will take until things get back to what we think is normal,” said Kent Gardner, the chief economist with the Center for Governmental Research.

“I think within six months, we’ll have a lot more information,” he added.

The spike in meat prices was not a surprise to many, as issues with the national supply chain were spurred by COVID-19 outbreaks at plants across the country. Issues with the national supply chain, and closures of schools and many restaurants also disrupted the supply chain.

Experts say part of the problem is the simple issue of supply and demand. They say people buying in bulk and doing more cooking at home is contributing to the increase in demand.

“You have the situation of supply being decreased, people’s demand staying the same, if not going up. So, scarcity is playing into it,” said Steven Carnavale, a professor of supply chain management at RIT.

Carnavale believes the future of prices will continue to be dictated by how parts of the country can contain the spread of the virus.

“I think the test will be over the next couple of weeks,” said Carnavale. “As we start to see how the infection rates spread, that will be an indication as to whether those parts of the food chain will be affected.”

Jon Gonzalez, the manager of Hegedorn’s Market in Webster, says prices are going up on a variety of products.

“So there’s definitely been a lot of increases over the past month or so. I know, right now, the most notable probably in the meat area,” said Gonzalez. “It’s really across the board because it’s a lot harder to make these products and get them out in the market. It’s not just in meats or one area in particular.”

Gonzalez says the store still has plenty of supply, but adds some products may be different than what customers might expect due to interruptions in the supply chains.

“Walking around our store, there’s plenty of food, plenty of options, but it’s not exactly what you’re used to pre-COVID,” said Gonzalez.

Experts say it could be several months until they gauge if or when prices will go back down.

— 13 WHAM