US DOJ Antitrust Actions Target Tyson, JBS, Cargill and Others in Meatpacking Industry

A federal judge gave preliminary approval to a $47 million class‑action settlement with Tyson Foods, ending antitrust claims by restaurants, caterers and other food‑service buyers over alleged price‑fixing in the fed cattle and beef markets. The settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing by Tyson.

The U.S. Department of Justice, together with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, is also investigating the so‑called “Big Four” meatpackers—Tyson, JBS, National Beef and Cargill—for colluding to raise beef prices. In a related move, the DOJ reached a proposed settlement with data firm Agri Stats, requiring it to overhaul how it collects, reports and distributes meat‑industry data and to cease publishing sales report books, while making its reports available for purchase on equal terms to all buyers.

These actions come amid a severe drought and record‑low cattle inventories, tightening supply for U.S. beef consumers and exporters.