WASHINGTON (TNND) — Tyson Foods, the largest meat supplier in the U.S., is set to close one of its major meat processing plants in Lexington, Nebraska, amid soaring beef prices. The decision has drawn criticism from Nebraska lawmakers.
Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb.,urged Tyson to collaborate with local food producers and livestock owners to keep the plant operational under a different company to preserve jobs. (TNND)
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., expressed her disappointment, stating the closure would “have a devastating impact on a truly wonderful community, the region, and our state.”
Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb.,urged Tyson to collaborate with local food producers and livestock owners to keep the plant operational under a different company to preserve jobs.
“Work with our food producers and livestock owners. Let’s make this plant in Lexington work for another company so we can keep the jobs we’ve built,” he said in a video posted to social media.
The closure comes as beef prices reach record highs, with the average price of ground beef in September at $6.32, up from $5.54 in January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. President Trump has accused meatpacking companies of collusion and price manipulation, directing the Department of Justice to investigate.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent partly blamed the Biden administration’s immigration policies for the rising prices.
“Because of the mass immigration, there’s a disease that we’ve been rid of in North America made its way up from South America as these migrants brought some of their cattle with them, so we’ve had to shut the border from Mexican beef,” he told Fox News earlier this month.
In response to the affordability crisis, the Trump administration removed 40% tariffs on Brazilian coffee, cocoa, and beef and announced plans to import more beef from Argentina. However, with the American cattle supply at its lowest in 70 years due to droughts, experts predict ground beef prices could reach $10 a pound by 2026, with no relief expected until 2027.