SAN DIEGO — Pork prices in California are surging with no end in sight. A new study shows that while the cost of bacon and other pork products nationwide is decreasing, California consumers have been paying almost 30% more since last summer for pork items from ham to pork loin.
San Diegan Balin Atanasoff is experiencing sticker shock after buying a two-and-a-half-pound 'value pack' of bacon.
"$21.99... can you believe that? That is insane!" she said.
"I'm used to paying $10, even $15 but not $21," she added. "But I love bacon, so what are you going to do?"
An economic study commissioned by the Food Equity Alliance, a statewide coalition of food retailers, finds this price hike is not an anomaly, with bacon prices rising 16%, fresh ham increasing 20% and pork loin prices spiking 41%.
"It's a major impact upon families across California that can least afford it at this time," said economist Lon Hatamiya, adding that pork prices across the board have surged since last summer after the approval of Prop 12.
Prop 12 is a statewide animal welfare law that raises the living standards of pigs, including giving mother pigs at least 24 square feet of space each. The prop went into full effect in California at the start of the year.
"Frankly, Prop 12 is a mess," said Ruben Guerra, chair of the Latin Business Association, a nationwide organization.
"Prop 12 is hurting Californians and the Hispanic community is taking the hardest hit," said Guerra.
"Pork makes up a huge percentage of the diet of many of our ethnic communities in California," Hatamiya added. "Not only the Latino and Hispanic community, but the Asian community and the African-American and Black community across the state."
San Diegan Eddie Flowers, who told CBS 8 that he is always barbecuing, said he has noticed the price hike when it comes to all kinds of pork products
"That's my main job.. all I do is cook," he told CBS 8. "Every weekend I'm making it for something!"
"Pork is very important to our everyday lifestyle, and I don't feel like they should raise the price on it every week," he added.
That was a point echoed by other shoppers.
"Ultimately they got us," said San Diegan Michael Falco. "You have no choice. They got us!"
While prices are up, pork sales from California farms are down, according to this study. It finds that California's share of national pork consumption has declined from 10% to less than eight percent since Prop 12 went into effect.
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