Omicron exacerbates supply chain problems, raising prices and emptying shelves in some places

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.)

Bare shelves, a sign of supply chain disruptions that plagued stores and consumers earlier in the pandemic are back in some places.

Meanwhile, prices for basic grocery store items are also going up as the omicron wave sickens workers and exacerbates supply-chain issues that had already become a defining part of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rebecca Miller, the owner of Peggy Jean's Pies told ABC, a 30-pound box of chopped pecans typically costs her $142, but within one week the price went up to $198.

Miller said, "Just all of a sudden no warning, no...I immediately texted our representative from the company and I was like is that right? Is that like a computer error? And he's like I have no idea and I don't know why but that's right."

Miller says it's frustrating that prices continue to increase because it leaves her with no other option than to consider increasing prices at her store.  

"We just feel the stress every week when that's changing so quickly.. and we can't anticipate it.. we don't know what.. you know it's just hard. It is stressful because it's just a huge part of what we do here. We have to be able to make this profitable in order for us all to do well," Miller said.

According to the latest consumer price index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices rose 0.5% in December, which was the largest increase in the last previous months.

• Fresh fruits increased by 1.8%
• Non-alcholic beverages rose 0.8%
• Dairy and other related products increased by 0.7%
• Cereal and bakey products increased by 0.4%

The consumer price index jumped 7% last year, which would be the fastest pace since 1982. This number was also up 6.8% annually in November, which was also almost a four-decade high.

Although it's been over two years since the pandemic hit, it's still affecting food supplies and prices, especially for smaller businesses. The Associated Press reports that in just two weeks the cost of pecans at Peggy Jean's Pies in Columbia increased by nearly 40%. The local store told the AP it will soon have to raise its prices for the Southern pecan and German chocolate pies by $22 to $24.

An increase in food prices isn't the only issue people have to deal with nationwide, as supply chain issues appear to again be getting worse. Schools and offices closing are causing more Americans to eat at home. Weather-related issues are also causing more people to stock up on food items at home.

According to USA Today, grocery stores typically have 5% to 10% of their items out of stock. Right now the unavailability of food items is at nearly 15%, according to Consumer Brands' Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman.

"I could tell that there was a lot less stuff there on the shelves when I was looking around and like the drink aisle especially was just empty and I was like thats kind of crazy how much stuff is selling right there or they just don't have it", Columbia resident, Tyler Brown said.