PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 11, 2025
Faced with increases in fuel, power and feed, local farmers are forced to choose between raising prices on their often-cash-strapped customers or working hard for ever-slimming margins. Under the same pressures, some restaurants — even barbecue joints — are cutting back on items like brisket and pastrami in favor of more chicken and pork to keep costs and prices down. Higher meat prices mean customers at grocery stores aren’t buying as much meat. And with the supply nationwide down and expected to stay there amid solid demand, it doesn’t look like relief is coming any time soon.