US retail pork prices in March were higher both on the month and compared to a year earlier. Bacon prices improved +2.6% to $6.98/lb which is up +5.6% over last year, while chops were up +2.7% in the latest data to $4.34/lb and +2.0% over year-ago prices. Retail hams improved +1.5% to $4.50/lb from the previous month and +0.5% compared to a year earlier, while the category accounting for all other pork was up +2.7% from February to $3.73/lb and brings the category +1.4% over year-ago prices. Monthly wholesale pork primal values were primarily improved however a notable decline in bellies weighed down overall carcass values, with the average US pork cutout for March down -0.9% or $0.84 lower to $96.88/cwt which was up +4.0% or $3.76/cwt compared to year-ago values. Wholesale bellies dropped -9.5% or $15.01/cwt from February however were +14.3% or $18.01/cwt above a year earlier. Remaining primals were up on the month: loins were +2.2% higher than values recorded in February but -1.0% under year-ago values, butts improved +1.4% on the month but was -3.8% under last year, picnics rose +6.4% from February and +3.2% compared to a year earlier, ribs edged +0.1% on the month but were -12.8% compared to last year and hams were up +3.3% into March bringing them +11.8% over a year earlier.
US retail beef prices rose in the month for March, holding above those reported for February as well as those recorded a year earlier. Uncooked ground was up +3.0% to $6.14/lb which is +11.11% over last year while roasts were unchanged at $7.99/lb bringing them +8.1% over a year earlier. Beef steaks were up +1.0% to $10.98/lb which is up +3.6% compared to a year earlier, while the category accounting for all other beef (not veal) prices climbed +0.5% higher to $7.20/lb and is +2.3% over year-ago prices. Wholesale beef values improved overall in March with choice cutout up $5.62 or +1.8% to $323.82/cwt and $14.44 or +4.7% over a year earlier, while select cutout edged +0.4% or $1.22 higher on the month to $309.55/cwt and up +3.2% or $9.66 over last year.
US retail broiler prices at $2.45/lb for March were up +0.9% on the month and +0.8% over a year earlier, while wholesale broiler values for the same period dropped -11.5% from a month earlier to $1.08/lb which is +1.0% over last year.
