A surge in holiday ham demand has triggered a nationwide shortage, with retailers reporting inventory drops of up to 40% and prices rising by 22% in November. The crisis stems from disruptions in pork production and distribution networks.
- Hog slaughter volumes declined by 15% in October and November
- Retail ham inventory down 40% compared to typical holiday levels
- Average ham price rose 22% year-over-year to $17.99 per pound
- Processing plant labor shortages contributed to distribution delays
- Major chains like Kroger and Walmart restricted purchase limits
- FTC initiated inquiry into pricing behavior without finding irregularities
Retailers across the U.S. are warning consumers about limited availability of holiday ham as Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping converge. Major grocery chains including Kroger, Walmart, and Albertsons have reported stock levels at just 60% of normal capacity for premium cured hams, prompting some stores to restrict purchases to one per customer. The shortage is tied to a 15% decline in hog slaughter volumes during October and November, according to USDA data, driven by a combination of disease outbreaks in Midwest breeding facilities and labor shortages in processing plants. This led to a 38% drop in available ham supply compared to pre-holiday averages. Prices for bone-in spiral-cut hams have climbed to $17.99 per pound on average—up from $14.75 last year—reflecting tight supply and elevated transportation costs. Distribution bottlenecks compounded the issue, with delays averaging 72 hours longer than normal due to rerouted shipments and seasonal volume spikes. The strain has also impacted restaurant chains; chains like Applebee’s and Chili’s report cutting ham from their holiday menus or replacing it with turkey substitutes. Consumers are facing higher costs and reduced choice, while small producers struggling with feed inflation are unable to scale output quickly. The Federal Trade Commission has launched an inquiry into potential market manipulation, though no evidence of price-fixing has been found as of December 21.