Meat & Poultry
Trump pledges legal action to break ‘nasty monopoly’ in meat processing
Trump said on social media that he would authorize the drafting of legal documents to allow farmers and ranchers to process their own food, breaking the monopoly of four major meat processors. In beef processing, JBS, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef control 85% of the market share. The White House has made lowering beef prices a priority before the fall election. Agricultural groups quickly condemned the plan, warning it could weaken global confidence in the safety of U.S. meat supplies.
Trump admin’s dietary guidelines face lawsuit from doctors’ group
A physicians' group is challenging the Trump administration's 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in federal court, alleging that a panel with industry ties helped draft the guidance, which reversed earlier plant-based recommendations.
JBS makes bid for remainder of Pilgrim’s Pride
Brazil-based meatpacker JBS announced a bid to acquire the remaining stake in Pilgrim's Pride, offering 2.1 JBS shares per Pilgrim's share. The proposal, if approved, would delist Pilgrim's from Nasdaq. This is JBS's second attempt in five years, coming amid strong chicken demand and potential antitrust scrutiny.
Tyson to close more beef plants amid cattle shortage
Tyson Foods will close or sell three beef plants to streamline operations amid a historic U.S. cattle shortage. The company reported a $138 million operating loss in beef and will consolidate production to central U.S. facilities, while layoffs are expected at affected sites.
JBS heir to become CEO almost a decade after corruption scandal
JBS has named Wesley Batista Filho as its next global CEO, effective January 2027, marking the founding family's return to power nearly a decade after a corruption scandal. Current CEO Gilberto Tomazoni will transition to vice chairman and senior adviser. The appointment follows a surprise Q2 net loss amid U.S. beef challenges.
Grocers have entered a ‘new affordability era,’ report notes
The Acosta report shows that between 2020 and 2026, large grocery prices rose nearly 27%, while median consumer hourly wages grew 29%, yet shopping behavior remains cautious. Traditional economic models may struggle to predict consumer trends, and grocers need to balance both price and value confidence.
Tyson suggests high beef prices face long recovery
In its latest earnings report, Tyson Foods lowered its full-year profit guidance and acknowledged that high beef prices are unlikely to fall in the short term. The beef division posted an operating loss of $138 million in the third quarter, with sales volume down 15.9% but prices up 12.1%. Despite plant closures and network optimization, industry challenges remain severe. The lifting of the ban on live cattle imports from Mexico may bring improvements after 2027, but it cannot resolve the current shortfall entirely.
Shoppers are buying less meat, data shows
Latest data shows that in June, the volume of fresh and processed meat purchased by U.S. consumers was lower than the same period last year, with processed meats seeing a notable decline. Despite lower sales volumes, meat sales revenue increased slightly due to higher prices. Beef and beef product prices rose nearly 12% year-over-year, driving consumers toward alternative proteins such as chicken and turkey.
US to lift Mexico cattle ban to combat high beef prices
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Friday that it will reopen imports of Mexican cattle in phases starting August 24 at three southern border trade ports. This follows a ban imposed in November 2024 lasting over a year, after cases of the deadly New World screwworm were detected. The move aims to ease tight beef supply and high prices in the US. The Trump administration has prioritized lowering beef prices and has launched antitrust investigations into major producers.
Spam maker Hormel Foods elevates insider to CEO
Hormel Foods announced an internal promotion: current President John Gingo will become CEO on October 26, succeeding interim CEO Jeffrey Ettinger. Gingo previously led its organic meat brand Applegate for four years and accumulated 16 years of industry experience at Mondelez International. The company has achieved organic sales growth for six consecutive quarters.