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All 3,200 meat processing plants in North Carolina have remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic but work has slowed, the Carolina Journal reported in May.
“For the most part, plants are operating, but at a very limited capacity,” state Department of Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said, the Carolina Journal reported on May 18.
Protecting workers from COVID-19 means that employees who once worked shoulder-to-shoulder are now yards apart, the Carolina Journal. Also, plants must follow federal guidelines for taking employee temperatures and providing personal protective equipment.
With many restaurants closed, demand for meat has shifted to cooking at home, disrupting the supply chain and leaving grocery stores struggling to keep enough supply, the Carolina Journal reported.
Troxler quoted one economist who doubts farmers will make a profit this year. “I’m really concerned that, after this, we may lose a lot of farmers nationwide,” Troxler restated, according to the Carolina Journal.
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