- The latest US retail meat prices released for the month of April reflected generally higher prices overall.
- Retail bacon prices climbed 22 cents or +3.0% to $7.42/lb, surpassing the previous record high reached in October at $7.32/lb. The latest rise brings retail values +19.4% or $1.21 over year-ago levels. Current retail bacon prices are $1.72 over the 3-year average for the month of April. In comparison, wholesale belly values fell -6.5% from March or $12.49 lower to $179.79/cwt for April, with current values -3.3% or $6.05 under this time last year.
- All retail chops edged 5 cents higher or +1.3% to $4.18/lb for April, the second-highest historically behind the high recorded in June 2020 at $4.19/lb, bringing the latest retail cut 33 cents or +8.7% over last year. Current retail prices are 55 cents over the 3-year average for the month of April. Boneless chops climbed 10 cents higher or +2.9% to $4.58/lb, bringing boneless chops +5.7% or 25 cents over last year. Bone-in chops slipped 9 cents or -2.0% to $4.59/lb, bringing the cut +10.2% or 43 cents over year-ago levels. Wholesale loins edged $0.37 higher to $99.90/cwt or +0.4% from the previous month, and +4.1% or $3.93/cwt over last year.
- All retail hams declined 13 cents or -3.2% to $3.92/lb for April, bringing hams 38 cents or +10.6% over year-ago levels. Current retail price levels are 62 cents over the 3-year average for the month of April. Boneless ham values fell 17 cents or -3.2% to $4.99/lb on the month, bringing the cut 13 cents or +2.7% over last year. Wholesale ham values averaged $82.61/cwt which was up $3.38 or +4.3% from March and $9.59 lower or -10.4% under year-ago levels. For comparison, wholesale picnics averaged $64.70/cwt, up $10.88 or +20.2% for April however down $9.53 or -12.8% from last year.
- The category reporting other retail pork values rose 6 cents or +1.7% to $3.58/lb, the second-highest historically behind the highs reached in November at $3.67/lb, bringing other pork 40 cents or +12.7% over last year. Current levels are 71 cents over the 3-year average for the month of April.
