Why your holiday ham may be more expensive this year

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Attention, holiday shoppers! The price tag on your holiday ham might be higher than usual this season.

This year, pork production is lower which could increase prices, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. This is caused by financial losses due to fewer litter births and reduced slaughters. 

Retail ham prices were $4.60 in September, up 3 cents from September 2023, according to Texas A&M AgriLife. 

As the holiday season nears, ham prices are expected to rise with demand, according to David Anderson, an AgriLife Extension agricultural economist. About 318 million pounds of ham will be eaten on Christmas this year, according to estimates from the National Pork Board. 

Ham is the second-most popular holiday meat after turkeys, according to Texas A&M AgriLife. 

In comparison, turkey prices are lower than usual. Texas A&M AgriLife experts found whole bird pieces are below the five-year average. Turkey production has decreased due to higher input and higher labor costs, meaning prices are good for consumers but bad for producers. 

But the good ham news is supply shouldn’t be an issue for holiday shoppers, according to Texas A&M experts. Varieties have increased over time to add smaller ham sizes and increased flavor varieties like honey, black forest, maple and salted caramel.