Big Four Meatpackers Profit as Beef Prices Skyrocket
On November 21st, Tyson Foods abruptly terminated all workers at its Lexington, Nebraska beef processing plant, leaving hundreds jobless. This closure occurred despite Tyson’s recent profit increases and soaring consumer beef prices, fueling accusations of market manipulation by the “Big Four” beef producers. Critics, including political candidate Dan Osborn, argue that the plant’s closure aligns with a pattern of restricting production to drive down cattle prices while inflating beef costs for consumers, a strategy purportedly outlined in numerous lawsuits against these corporations. The broader economic impact on communities like Lexington, where the plant was a major employer, is substantial, raising concerns about future viability and the livelihoods of long-time workers.
John Q. Hosedrinker