WASHINGTON — On Sept. 8, fresh pork-belly prices hit another new high at $151 per hundred lbs, as reported by the U.S.D.A., breaking the previous record of $150 set in early August. The most recent spike was attributed to record low stocks of frozen bellies and reduced supplies coming from a nearly 6.5% drop in hog slaughters from a year ago.

As a result of the rise in wholesale belly prices, retail prices prices for bacon at retail outlets have also surged to historic highs.