Price of bacon expected to sizzle - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The cost of bacon may soon begin to sizzle as a shortage in pork products is expected to sweep the nation.

Guy's BBQ goes through thousands of pounds of pork each year. So when news hit that the cost next year is expected to rise dramatically it was a hard dish to swallow.

"I've seen prices rise and fall but nothing ever to this magnitude," said Guy Hughes, owner of Guy's BBQ.

The increase is ultimately due to the drought-like conditions that hit the country this summer. The dry conditions drove up the price of corn and soybeans that are used to feed hogs, leading farmers to cut costs by cutting back on the number of pigs they raise.

According to NBC News, in 2007 U.S. Farmers produced about 51 pounds of pork for every American. Next year, that number is expected to drop to about 45 pounds per person.

Meaning, the cost will likely be passed on to the consumer.

"It's either they are going to go out of business, or they're going to pass it on to us and we have no choice but to pass it on to our customers," said Chad Davis, manager at Catullo Prime Meats.

Currently, customers at Catullo Prime Meats are paying $4.99 for pound of bacon. Davis estimates that cost may rise to near $7 per pound by the New Year.