U.S. frozen pork inventories fell in April, when they typically rise, and beef inventories dropped more than normal as COVID-19 shut slaughterhouses and prompted grocers to limit customers' buying, USDA data show.
JBS SA, whose meatpacking plants in Brazil and in the United States have been hit by coronavirus outbreaks, said it was donating 700 million reais ($120 million) to initiatives aimed at combating the pandemic.
Meatpacking facilities have resumed operations this week following the President's Executive Order directing facilities to implement CDC and OSHA guidelines created for the meat sector response to COVID-19.
President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday he has asked the Justice Department to look into allegations that U.S. meat packers broke antitrust law.
U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue sent two letters to Governors across the nation and leadership of major meat processing companies outlining expectations for the implementation of President Trump's executive order.
Following outbreaks of COVID-19 in multiple plant facilities, the agencies have issued new recommendations for employee safety and to reduce risk of spread.
A bipartisan letter was sent the FTC to investigate the growing concentration in the meatpacking and processing industry, and any anticompetitive behavior resulting from this concentration.
Unless immediate changes are made, America's food processing and meatpacking workers are in danger—and so is America's food supply, UFCW International president says.
The coronavirus outbreak has forced slowdowns and temporary closures of meat packing plants across the country. This interactive map will be updated as information becomes available.
