Pork Cutout Falls to Lowest Level Since 2021

Pork cutout prices have dropped to the mid $70s per hundredweight, the weakest level since the first week of 2021, as beef prices also struggle.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Agriculture

Bold flat-color vector editorial illustration of three uneven pork cuts on a steel prep table beneath a hanging hook, evoking a sharp market decline. — Pork cutout prices fell to the mid-$70s per hundredweight this week, their lowest level since early 2021, after peaking at $104 in July as beef prices also struggled. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Pork cutout prices declined to the mid $70s per hundredweight, the lowest since the first week of 2021, after peaking at $104 per hundredweight in July. Beef cutout prices also continued to struggle as the market moved into November.

Why it matters

The sustained drop across every pork primal cut signals broad pressure on the market rather than a single weak segment. For U.S. producers and buyers, the decline reflects a sharp reversal from summer highs.

Pork cutout fell from $104 per hundredweight in July to the mid $70s, with bellies losing nearly $80 since early August. The source does not indicate whether prices will continue to fall or stabilize.

The details

Pork values have declined across each primal cut, with the belly primal leading the decline. Ham primal prices are at their lowest since February 2022, and picnic prices are at their lowest since December 2021.

Butt primal value began declining in May 2026.
Pork cutout peaked at $104 per hundredweight in July 2026.
Ham and rib primal prices began declining in early July 2026.
Belly prices began losing value in early August 2026.
Beef cutout continued struggling as the market moved into November 2026.

Market Landscape

The pork cutout's fall from $104 in July to the lowest level since early 2021 marks a sharp reversal in the wholesale pork market. The decline across every primal cut suggests the pressure is market-wide rather than limited to one product.

Lower wholesale pork prices can eventually ease costs for retail buyers, though the source does not say how quickly or by how much. The pressure on beef prices into November adds uncertainty for household meat budgets.

The takeaway

Wholesale pork price swings of this size can ripple into grocery costs over time. Watching primal cut prices, especially bellies, offers an early signal of where the market is heading.