Plant closures continue as cases of COVID-19 rise within the industry; the South Dakota Smithfield plant now reports more than 600 cases in its work force. Neil Dierks, with the the National Pork Producers Council, claims that it is not an issue within the plant but rather communities not taking the necessary precautions. Secretary Sonny Perdue is said to be taking measures to help reopen the facility.
Secretary Perdue stated at a White House press conference, “The bare store shelves you may see in some cities in the country are a demand issue, not a supply issue...Our supply chain is sophisticated, efficient, integrated, and synchronized.”
