LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The cost of meat products has been continuing to rise over Southwest Louisiana in recent years.

Memorial Day is Monday and people are going to be grilling this weekend to prepare their favorite foods to enjoy. But with high meat prices, it’s becoming more difficult for some local meat markets to make sales.

S&M Meats Owner Melanie Hoffpauir says the price surge has slowed up her business.

“The prices increased drastically. The chicken, it’s probably doubled in price since I opened and beef’s gone way up, as well and pork is about the only thing that’s stayed the same,” said Hoffpauir.

Hoffpauir says customers go up and down depending on the day.

“None of our meat is imported so I don’t think it would be the tariffs. I’m not sure what’s causing it,” said Hoffpauir.

The price rise could be from lower cattle inventory, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Hebert’s Specialty Meats Manager Dylan Sorel says over the last few years across the board prices have raised by 30 percent on products.

“Running a small business it could be insurance, fees, you know it’s just price for everything you know and then sometimes you know something will go down like eggs were real high and now they back to normal but now we got chicken breasts, chicken thighs things like that are going through the roof now you know,” said Sorel.

He says customers are eating at home more than dining out.

“We try not to push more cost on the customers so it’s the profit margin that’s more down. When you have a small business, you know you kind of eat a little bit of that profit so you don’t drive your customer base away,” said Sorel.

Both owners say they are hoping prices will begin to come down on meat products soon.

Copyright 2025 KPLC. All rights reserved.