foreign ownership — Latest Stories

JBS Aims to Shutter Critical Western US Lamb Processor, DOJ Issues a “Standstill” Order

In a few weeks, many Western sheep ranchers might not have a place to slaughter their lambs. Global meatpacking giant JBS last month won the bankruptcy auction for the Mountain State Rosen (MSR) lamb processing plant in Greeley, Colorado.

U.S. Lifts Ban on Brazilian Beef, Threatening Ranchers and Consumers

Food safety officials lifted a ban on Friday on Brazilian beef imports, introducing a potential windfall for multinational meatpackers and significant threats to American ranchers and consumers.

Processing & DistributionClaire KellowayFebruary 26, 2020Brazil, Food Safety, JBS, marfrig, OCM, R-CALF, Trade, foreign ownership

Ranchers Rally for Fair Markets, Take Beef Checkoffs to Court

Last week, nearly 500 cattle producers from 14 states rallied in Omaha, Nebraska to denounce corporate control over cattle markets and to demand that the Trump administration do something to fix it.

Foreign-Owned Meatpacker Receives Trade War Bailout, Critics Say it Won’t Help Farmers

Last week, several senators called on the USDA to stop giving federal trade-related farm aid to foreign-owned corporations, particularly Brazil’s JBS, the largest meatpacker in the world. This follows a bill by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., that would require USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to only purchase foods from American companies, when available.

Beef Packing Merger Threatens America’s Last Competitive Cash Cattle Market

Last month, the nation’s fourth-largest beef packer, National Beef, announced plans to take over Sysco-owned Iowa Premium, a regional packer focused on processing Black Angus steers for the Upper Midwest. National Beef is majority owned by Brazilian firm Marfrig.

Poultry & LivestockClaire KellowayApril 11, 2019consolidation, DOJ, marfrig, merger, R-CALF, foreign ownership, Beef

European Chains Spur Further Grocery Consolidation, Squeezing Farmers, Workers, and Independent Businesses

European grocery chains are driving a new round of concentration in American food retail, as they race to buy up independent grocers or drive them out of business. In the most recent deal, Stop & Shop, a subsidiary of Dutch-based Ahold-Delhaize, announced it will acquire Long Island supermarket chain, King Kullen, America’s first-ever supermarket.

RetailClaire KellowayJanuary 31, 2019Amazon, consolidation, discounters, grocery, lidl, merger, mergers, retail, walmart, foreign ownership, Aldi

Ranchers Oppose Marfrig Acquisition that would Spell More Foreign Control Over US Beef

A growing number of American ranchers are calling on the Trump Administration to block a Brazilian corporation’s plan to take over America’s fourth largest meatpacker. They say the deal would worsen monopolization in the sector and further harm the livelihoods of American farmers and ranchers.

Mergers & AcquisitionsKevin CartyApril 26, 2018foreign ownership, mergers

China’s Smithfield Consolidates Supply Chain with Grain Elevator Acquisitions

Since it was acquired in 2013 by the Chinese company WH Group, pork giant Smithfield has moved steadily to consolidate power over its supply chain. The company’s most recent purchase targeted grain elevators in Harpster and Morral, Ohio. This means Smithfield can now ship grains directly from Ohio to its feedlots in North Carolina. These acquisitions also serve to further the Chinese government’s power in the American food system.

Mergers & AcquisitionsLeah DouglasMarch 16, 2017China, feed, grains, Smithfield, WH Group, Leah Douglas, foreign ownership, mergers, pork

Nebraska's Livestock Market Faces Death by Big Meat Lobbying

Few images are more emblematic of the American heartland than that of farmers taking their livestock to market. But if Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signs a bill passed last month by his state’s legislature, one of the last of the country’s traditional open livestock markets may soon close forever. The bill would remove one of the few safeguards that allow farmers to sell their livestock in a transparent and competitive way.