HOUSTON — Wholesale restaurant meals distributor Sysco Corp. filed a lawsuit towards the world’s largest meat processors, claiming they colluded to repair beef costs.
Filed on June 24, the criticism accused Tyson Meals Inc., JBS USA, Cargill and Nationwide Beef Packing Co. of manipulating the meat market.
Starting as early as 2015, the meat processors “exploited their market energy on this extremely concentrated market by conspiring to restrict the provision, and repair the costs, of beef offered to Plaintiff within the US wholesale market,” the lawsuit alleged.
A former Swift worker, whose identification stays confidential, confirmed Sysco’s allegations, in accordance with the court docket paperwork.
The 4 firms maintain over 80% of the home cattle market, whereas the subsequent largest meat processor holds a 2% to three% share, the lawsuit stated.
The businesses on trial have confronted earlier accusations relating to value fixing.
Since June 2020, the US Division of Justice has been investigating beef-pricing practices courting again to January 2015, however the DOJ has not but made an official report on its investigation.
JBS paid a $52.3 million settlement in a beef price-fixing case and $12.75 million settlement in a pork price-fixing case, however JBS, Cargill, Nationwide Beef and Tyson deny any allegations of value fixing. Source
