Bacon has become an expensive breakfast staple, with prices soaring nearly 20% compared to last year. In May, pork bacon prices rose 5.7% from April and 18% from May 2024, as indicated by market data from NIQ. Bacon prices tend to fluctuate more than other grocery items, and experts suggest these higher costs may be a permanent fixture in the market.
Jim Eadie, founder of Swineweb.com, attributes the rising prices to a combination of factors, including tariffs, increased wages, supply and demand dynamics, and the overall cost of raising pigs. He emphasizes that these factors contribute to the inflation affecting bacon prices. According to NIQ’s checkout price data, bacon varies in cost across the U.S., ranging from approximately $4.03 per pound in Dallas to over $7.00 in Los Angeles.
Additionally, California’s Proposition 12, which mandates better living conditions for farm animals and took effect in 2022, has further influenced pork and bacon prices.
In contrast, egg prices are on a downward trend, having fallen 6.6% from April, although they remain 41% higher than in May 2024. As breakfast preferences evolve, it appears bacon’s newfound price position may overshadow eggs, making it a centerpiece of expensive brunch menus. With a combination of regulatory, economic, and market factors at play, consumers may need to adjust their budgets to accommodate the rising costs of bacon.
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