A California distribution company is suing beef-packing companies, including the four largest in the United States and Canada, for price-fixing.
The lawsuit is similar to one filed earlier by R-CALF (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund).
Pacific Agri-Products Inc. accused Cargill Inc., JBS USA, National Beef Packing and Tyson Foods, among others, of allegedly conspiring to control beef prices since 2015.
The suit claims the defendants “publicly signaled” intentions to reduce slaughter capacity by closing or idling beef plants or by halting expansion plans and that this pushed beef prices higher because supplies were reduced.
Other companies named include Swift Beef Co. and Marfrig Global Foods.
It’s the first legal action by distributors against large U.S. beef processors, but there have been other accusations filed against chicken and pork processors in the last year.
