The New U.S. Meat Industry

The New U.S. Meat Industry The new U.S. meat industry of food retailers, meat processors, and farms and ranches coalesce into fewer and larger businesses are emerging. These new giants like Wal-Mart could drive up food prices for consumers and drive down livestock prices for consumers and drive down livestock prices for producers. Grocery stores have merged or acquired other stores, spawning several major grocery chains and large general merchandise stores and warehouse …

…in the beef and pork processing industries tightened. Meat is the single largest expenditure item in the consumer grocery cart, and livestock represents the single biggest item on U.S. agricultures income statement. The Sherman Antitrust Act, the Clayton Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act express the nations commitment to a free market economy where competition benefits both consumer and businesses. This new structure should reflect these laws and expectations that benefit all participants.