- 02 Jun 2021 02:52
#15175251
Well another cyber attack has hit the news. This particular cyber attack could effect the meat supply here in the U.S.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/01/business ... index.html
Danielle Wiener-Bronner of CNN wrote:American shoppers may want to brace themselves for yet another possible supply crunch — this time with meat.
JBS USA, the country's top beef producer and its second largest producer of pork, suffered a cyberattack this weekend, prompting reported shutdowns at company plants in the United States and globally.
On Tuesday evening, an official from the United Food and Commercial Workers union said all US JBS beef plants are shut down.
However, JBS released a statement Tuesday night indicating most of its food plants will be open Wednesday.
"Given the progress our IT professionals and plant teams have made in the last 24 hours, the vast majority of our beef, pork, poultry and prepared foods plants will be operational tomorrow," said Andre Nogueira, CEO of JBS USA.
The company also said "JBS USA and Pilgrim's were able to ship product from nearly all of its facilities to supply customers."
The US Department of Agriculture has reached out to meat processors across the country after the ransomware attack to encourage those companies to accommodate additional capacity and help keep the supply chain moving.
The agency said it is talking to food, agriculture and retail organizations to "underscore the importance of maintaining close communication and working together to ensure a stable, plentiful food supply."
Does fallout from the attack mean a tighter meat supply ahead, and as a result, higher prices? That depends on how quickly the issue is resolved, according to experts.
"Even one day of disruption will significantly impact the beef market and wholesale beef prices," Steiner Consulting Group, which specializes in commodity prices, wrote in a note Tuesday.
Partially, that's because of the high demand for burgers and other beef products during Memorial Day Weekend.
"Retailers and beef processors are coming from a long weekend and need to catch up with orders and make sure to fill the meat case. If they suddenly get a call saying that product may not deliver tomorrow or this week, it will create very significant challenges," Steiner explained.
The attack could also "limit pork supply availability and push up pork prices in the near term," Steiner said. The group noted that "we think this is a major issue but much will depend on how long the disruption persists."
https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/01/business ... index.html
"I need ammunition, not a ride!" -Volodymyr Zelenskyy