Tyson to Pay $221.5 Million to Settle Chicken Price-Fixing Suit

Tyson Foods Inc., America’s biggest meat company, is paying $221.5 million to settle complaints over price-fixing allegations.

The Springdale, Arkansas-based company said it reached an agreement to settle all class claims related to broiler chicken litigation, without admitting liability, according to a Wednesday regulatory filing. It follows Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.’s settlement of $75 million announced earlier this month.

The U.S. chicken industry, a $95 billion retail market, has been embroiled in litigation for years. Chicken buyers claim that many of America’s top producers illegally propped up prices and constricted poultry production for years. Tyson disclosed in June that it was cooperating in a U.S. criminal probe that stemmed from the initial civil allegations.

Expanded U.S. Chicken Probe Points to Tyson’s Involvement

Meat companies have also been in the spotlight after thousands of workers at slaughter plants were infected with the Covid-19 virus last year. Prices skyrocketed when plants shut down to slow outbreaks, even as prices for animals such as cattle and hogs fell.

--With assistance from Erin McClam.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Michael Hirtzer in Chicago at mhirtzer@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story:
David Marino at dmarino4@bloomberg.net

Lydia Mulvany, Doug Alexander

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