Overview
- Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department’s antitrust division has begun investigating alleged collusion and price manipulation, coordinating with the USDA.
- The White House identified Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS and National Beef as targets, companies that handle roughly 80–85% of U.S. beef processing.
- Industry representatives dispute the allegations, with the Meat Institute saying packers have been losing money due to tight cattle supplies and strong consumer demand.
- Ranchers and farm‑state Republicans continue to oppose a plan to expand low‑tariff Argentine beef imports, while some pro‑Trump producers questioned USDA hires with meatpacking ties.
- Analysts point to supply constraints and trade policies, citing a smaller cattle herd and reduced Brazilian shipments, as retail ground beef prices rose about 56% since 2020.