In a bold move today, President Donald J. Trump instructed the Department of Justice to initiate an investigation into the largest meatpacking companies in the United States for potential collusion, price fixing, and manipulation of prices. This decisive action aims to scrutinize the foreign-dominated conglomerates that control a significant portion of America’s meat supply and have been accused of inflating prices to the detriment of farmers, ranchers, and everyday families.
It’s time to safeguard AMERICAN CONSUMERS.
Here’s what you should be aware of:
- For far too long, a select few colossal meatpacking firms have exerted pressure on America’s cattle producers, diminished herd sizes, and escalated grocery store prices. By probing whether these companies have breached antitrust laws through coordinated pricing strategies or capacity limitations, this investigation seeks to eradicate any collusion, reinstate fair competition, and fortify our food security.
- The so-called “Big Four” meatpackers — JBS (Brazil), Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef — currently account for a staggering 85% of the U.S. beef processing market, a significant increase from just 36% in 1980. Notably, two of these companies, including the world’s largest meat packer, are either foreign-owned or have considerable foreign influence.
- This consolidation within the industry has obliterated competition and adversely impacted cattle producers. In the 1980s, the top four packers controlled one-third of all fed cattle; by the mid-1990s, this figure soared to over 80%, and it has continued to trend towards greater concentration.
- Such trends have resulted in the exploitation of American consumers, farmers, and ranchers alike. Mounting evidence indicates that this monopolistic power has drastically reduced payments to ranchers, diminished herd sizes, inflated consumer prices, and jeopardized the integrity of America’s food supply chain.
President Trump will ALWAYS stand behind our Great American Farmers.
