Packers
The Antitrust Division says it sent letters to Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize, Costco, and Amazon.
New or reopened packing plants could struggle to operate efficiently until U.S. cattle inventories recover.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger recently sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins calling the policy “catastrophic” and raising concerns about its potential impact on cattle producers.
Persistent losses and tight cattle supplies are forcing beef packers to reduce processing capacity.
As beef prices have climbed roughly 9-13 percent, some shoppers are shifting toward pork and chicken, which remain more affordable per gram of protein.
Fewer packing options could mean higher freight costs for Midwest cattle feeders.
Producers near affected facilities may have to look farther from home to market their cattle.
Tyson will close beef operations at Joslin, Illinois, and its Eagle Mountain, Utah, case-ready plant while pursuing a sale of its Pasco, Washington, beef facility.
Limited cattle availability continues pressuring processing margins despite record North American beef sales.
Beef losses mounted as poultry and pork operations posted stronger results.