The National Pig Association in Britain is stating that “a world shortage of pork and bacon next year is now unavoidable,” due to drought severe conditions and a shrinking number of hogs in the European Union. The association notes that the trend “is being mirrored around the world,” reports the Los Angeles Times.

In the second half of next year, the number of slaughtered pigs could fall 10%, doubling the price of European pork, according to the release.

In U.S. warehouses, pork supply soared to a record last month, rising 31% to 580.8 million pounds at the end of August from a year earlier, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The surge came as farmers scaled down their herds as feeding the animals became increasingly expensive.

In July, global food prices leaped 10% from the month before, according to the World Bank. Maize and wheat jumped 25% while soybeans rose 17%.

Source: Los Angeles Times