President Trump has called on the Department of Justice to immediately begin an investigation into possible anticompetitive practices by the meatpacking industry.
There are four major companies who control about 85 percent of the U.S. beef processing industry: Cargill, JBS (Brazil), National Beef Packing, and Tyson. Two of these companies are either foreign-owned or have significant foreign ownership and control, according to the Trump administration.
In a post made on his Truth Social account on Friday, Trump said that the Meat Packing Companies are “driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation.” He also said that American Ranchers “are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices, and jeopardize the security of our Nation’s food supply.” He added that action must be to taken to “ensure these Corporations are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American People.”
In a subsequent post, Trump called the substantial drop in cattle prices and the increase in Boxed Beef prices “fishy”.
Ag leaders have issued the following statements following Trump’s request for an investigation.
Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute:
“Despite high consumer prices for beef, beef packers have been losing money because the price of cattle is at record highs. For more than a year, beef packers have been operating at a loss due to a tight cattle supply and strong demand.
“The beef industry is heavily regulated, and market transactions are transparent. The government’s own data from USDA confirms that the beef packing sector is experiencing catastrophic losses and experts predict this will continue into 2026.
“U.S. beef processors welcome a fact-based discussion about beef affordability and how best to meet the needs of American consumers, who are the industry’s most important stakeholders.
“Beef packers rely on cattle producers and cattle producers rely on beef packers. The entire beef value chain is strongest when supply is balanced by demand. Beef packers remain committed to ensuring safe, delicious, and nutrient dense beef remains affordable to American families who rely on its nourishment. We welcome the President and his team to visit our members’ beef facilities, both large and small, to witness firsthand the pride, skill, and dedication they bring to their work every single day.”
Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA:
“We greatly appreciate President Trump’s announcement that he’s directed the Department of Justice to investigate the beef supply chain to determine if there are any violations of our fair competition laws or antitrust laws.
“There has long been a disconnect between cattle prices and beef prices, and we believe this is evidence of market failure. We welcome this investigation to ensure that cattle producers receive competitive prices for their cattle, and that consumers pay prices set by a competitive market rather than a monopolistic one.”
