EAST TEXAS (KYTX) - Blistering heat has led to the worst drought in nearly 25 years across the Cornbelt. Last week, the Department of Agriculture dropped its projections for this year's corn crop by 12%. Since corn is used in livestock feed, that's also heavily affecting the price of meat.
Jim Mantooth at Country Meat Market in Tyler says he's had to raise some of his prices.
"I've worked here at this market for 34 years, and never have I seen pork prices, my cost, as high as they are today." he says.
Mantooth says his porkchops are as low as $2.99 a pound this time of year. Right now, they're running about $4.59 a pound.
"Normally, the beef prices will level off around the 4th of July and go down. Right now, they're not. They're still going up." says Mantooth- by about 30 cents more a pound compared to last year for beef. It's 17 cents more for chicken.
It's frustrating for customers like Dianne Strength .
"It's skyrocketed. It's outrageous." she says. "A family of five- it's hard to even get a hamburger patty these days."
Mantooth says if this doesn't change soon, they're going to have to raise even more of their prices, something they don't want to do.
"When you start raising prices, it does affect business. Instead of buying a steak, they'll buy a hamburger." says Mantooth.
The drought forced disaster declarations in 26 states. June was the third driest month in the country in 118 years.
