JBS, Tyson, Cargill, National Beef Ordered to Face Cartel Claims

JBS SA, Tyson Foods Inc., Cargill Inc., and National Beef Packing Co. must face antitrust litigation over an alleged industrywide scheme to widen the “meat margin” between the cost of live cattle and the price of processed beef, a federal judge in Minneapolis ruled Tuesday.

Judge John R. Tunheim let the consolidated case move forward in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, where the four leading meatpackers are accused of forcing the cost of cattle down, and the price of beef up, through cartel tactics like coordinated procurement and “slaughter restraint.”

Tunheim’s ruling remains under ...