pig virus, U.S. ham costs

U.S. ham costs are exorbitant right now thanks to a pig virus that killed off millions of piglets. As a result of the losses pig farmers in the United States have been feeding the hogs more, and for longer periods, so that they are fatter when they go to market and the farmer gets more for the animal. Since ham is taken from the hind legs of a pig, and the pigs are much heavier, the animals are too fat for the standard 7 pound ham that many families serve on the holiday. Instead the hams are bigger and heavier, and therefore more expensive to purchase. Approximately half of all the ham consumed in the United States is eaten during the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays, and Americans will pay more for this treat this year because of fatter hogs.

Thanks to the recent pig virus which killed off most of the piglets born to pigs on farms in the United States the U.S. ham costs are up 26% this year, and that can mean a big difference in the cost of a holiday dinner for family and friends. The chief financial officer for the Michigan division of HoneyBaked Ham, Brian Mariuz, explained “This year has been a struggle for people that sell half hams because heavier hogs are coming to market,. Seven-pound hams are in the highest demand and in the lowest supply.” Higher prices also affect other countries which import ham from the United States, making it harder for some to afford ham for the holidays.