US retail pork prices in April were lower on the month, though mixed compared to a year earlier. Monthly wholesale pork values also fell in the same period, with most primals also significantly lower than last year’s strong values.
- US retail bacon fell -1.0% from March price levels with the average April price at $6.55/lb. The latest bacon prices are down -11.8% from year-ago levels, while current retail bacon prices are $0.22/lb over the 3-year average for the month of April. Wholesale belly values dropped -14.9% during the same period to $80.02/cwt during April, with current values a staggering -55.5% under high values recorded last year. Notably, wholesale belly values are $63.14/cwt under the 3-year historical average.
- All retail chops fell -1.6% to $4.10/lb for April, coming down from the new record high reach for the month of March. This brought the latest retail chop prices -1.9% under last year, while current retail price levels $0.20 over the 3-year average for the month of April. Wholesale loins values declined -3.1% to $80.74/cwt from the previous month, bringing current loin values -19.2% under last year. For comparison, average loin values for April are $11.09/cwt under the 3-year historical average.
- All retail hams fell -3.0% to $4.21/lb for April, bringing hams +7.3% over year-ago levels. Current retail price levels are $0.47 over the 3-year average for the month of April. Wholesale ham values averaged $71.33/cwt which was down -10.3% from March values, bringing April values -13.7% under year-ago levels. For comparison wholesale picnics are down $7.77/cwt compared to the 3-year historical average.
