Overview
- Attorney General Pam Bondi said the DOJ has launched a formal investigation into major beef packers following the president’s request.
- Trump accused predominantly foreign-owned companies of illicit collusion and price-fixing but offered no evidence with his allegation.
- The U.S. beef packing market is highly concentrated, with Tyson Foods, Cargill, JBS USA, and National Beef controlling roughly 80% of processing.
- Record beef prices in 2025 reflect drought-shrunken cattle herds and tighter supply, with tariffs on Brazil also curbing imports.
- CNN’s review of federal data finds many grocery categories rose in price this year, and experts cite tariffs and stricter immigration enforcement as contributors.