California Proposition 12 continues to pressure pork prices, NPPC says

Over 100 pork producers from across 23 US states convened on Capitol Hill recently to advocate against California’s Proposition 12, citing new retail and US Department of Agriculture data.

“We’re all singing from the same songbook — real pork producers of all sizes,” said Rob Brenneman, president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). “We need relief from a patchwork of state animal housing laws, which will surely be the nail in the coffin for a number of farms across the country. The mission is clear: We need Congress to exercise their authority and fix Prop. 12.”

NPPC voiced its support for the bipartisan Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 — commonly referred to as the Farm Bill 2.0 — which includes protections against states determining farming practices for producers outside the state’s borders.

According to NPPC, California consumers have paid $350 million more for pork products while their consumption of pork has significantly declined due to Prop. 12.

Although Prop. 12 was implemented more than two years ago, research from the North Dakota State University Agricultural Risk Policy Center found that price increases due to the law have persisted.

On average, prices for covered products are 20% higher due to Prop. 12, calculated by comparing price increases in California to the rest of the United States. Prop 12 has driven prices for pork loins up 32%, ribs 22%, shoulders 16% and bacon 16%, according to the latest data.