News / US food supply chain breaking down as links are hit by closure and high prices

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The Covid-19 pandemic is disrupting American meat supply chains, with dire consequences for farmers and higher prices for consumers.

As meat processing facilities are shut down due to virus outbreaks among workers, supplies to stores are stretched, and farmers who can’t sell their animals face the prospect of culls.

Up to Wednesday, 22 US meat packing plants had closed for cleaning after employees had tested positive for Covid-19. By the middle of April, 6,500 workers had been infected and 13 died, according ...