Pork is already taking bigger bites out of budgets, reports AgDay’s Clinton Griffiths, and now a new California law is about to make bringing home the bacon even more expensive.
“In the past two to three months it has done nothing but go up and it hasn’t been by cents... it’s been by dollars,” says Christina Busch, owner of Main Street Market.
Analysts vary in estimates on just how much Proposition 12 will increase a consumer’s tab for pork, but the price is going up.
Like many food items, pork skyrocketed during the pandemic due to inflation and supply chain issues, Griffiths reports. But California’s Proposition 12 will make that worse.
“California, which consumes 15% of U.S pork supplies, is adopting Proposition 12, a law that sets new housing requirements for pork sold in the state,” Griffiths reports. “The measure takes effect next year, but pork producers are already spooked, warning Prop 12 may bring added costs throughout the supply chain and ultimately leave shoppers across the country with fewer and more expensive options.”
USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says, “One of the reasons why we are faced with beef and pork shortages is because we lack processing capacity. We need more competition in that space.”
And it’s not just pork prices on the rise, Griffiths points out. In September, consumer prices jumped for other meats like chicken and beef as well as eggs, milk, homes, gas and electricity.
Meanwhile Vilsack says, “Well, relief is coming. I think you’re going to see a moderation of those price increases over time.”
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
Delay Implementation of Proposition 12, Food Industry Leaders Urge
Judge Denies Proposition 12 Challenge From Iowa Pork Producers
Supreme Court Rejects Meat Institute’s Petition to Review Proposition 12
Federal Court Rejects NPPC’s Petition to Strike Down Proposition 12
Pork Industry Braces for Catastrophic Costs to Implement Proposition 12
Proposition 12 Pressures Aren’t Going Away
On-Demand Webinar: Proposition 12: Where Do We Go From Here?
20 States Back Challenge to the Constitutionality of California’s Prop 12
California’s Proposition 12 Would Cost U.S. Pork Industry Billions
