US retail pork prices for February were generally lower from the month previous and under year-ago prices. Bacon prices fell -0.8% to $6.56/lb which is -0.5% under last year, while chops declined -1.9% in the latest data to $4.16/lb and is -2.3% under year-ago prices, and the category accounting for 'all other pork' fell -1.2% from January prices to $3.56/lb which is -0.7% under year-ago prices. Retail hams increased in February, up +2.4% to $4.52/lb from the previous month and +3.4% over a year earlier.
Monthly wholesale pork values improved overall from January into February. US pork cutout at $89.14/cwt increased +2.5% on the month and +8.3% over year-ago values. Wholesale ribs surged +15.2% from a month earlier and is +24.6% over last year, while bellies were up +3.6% for February and +28.4% over a year earlier. Wholesale hams increased +3.5% on the month but is a modest +0.1% over last year, while butts improved +2.5% from the previous month and +7.3% over last year and loins edged +0.4% higher on the month and is +2.2% over last year. Wholesale picnics were the only primal to record lower month-over-month values, falling -5.8% from January but +0.6% over year-ago values.
Monthly US retail beef prices were modestly higher overall: Uncooked ground edged +0.1% to $5.48/lb which is +5.2% over last year, and roasts were up +1.1% to $7.35/lb bringing them +7.8% over a year earlier, while steaks fell -1.5% to $10.53/lb which is +8.8% over a year earlier. All other beef (not veal) climbed +0.7% to $6.97/lb and is +6.9% over year-ago prices.
Wholesale beef values generally improved in February, with choice cutout up +2.1% to $296.90/cwt and was +7.5% over a year earlier, while select cutout was up +3.9% on the month to $286.57/cwt and +9.0% over last year.
US retail broiler prices at $2.37/lb for February fell -2.0% on the month and is -1.8% under a year earlier.
Wholesale broiler values improved +3.2% from a month earlier to $1.00/lb which is +12.5% over last year.
