Big beef
(Updated from 2003).
Over 79% of beef consumed in the United States in 2005 was slaughtered and packed by five companies, and over 65% originated from three companies. That steady growth in both groups. This stable beef packing oligonomy is powerful and profitable.
Four of these packers are divisions of companies that have wide-ranging interest in other agricultural businesses. Tyson is the nation's largest chicken processing company. Cargill is, among other things, a leading grain merchant and the leader in animal feed, Smithfield is he number one pork packer and raiser. Swift, which is a leader in pork and lamb as well, was 46% owned by ConAgra, was sold off to a private holding company. . The fifth company (US Premium/National Beef) is based on bankrupt Farmland Beef, which went bankruptcy in 2002. It remains, in part, a cooperative among cattle ranchers.
Market share in beef packing
| Rank |
Packer |
Brands |
% of cattle slaughtered 2005 |
% of cows slaughtered 2002 |
| 1 |
IBP/Tyson |
Thomas E. Wilson |
28.6 |
27.1 |
| 2 |
Excel/Cargill |
Sterling Silver, AngusPride, Excel Ground Beef, Certified Angus Beef |
22.5 |
20.6 |
| 3 |
Swift |
Armour, Swift, Miller Blue Ribbon, Monfort, Signature and Four Star Beef |
14.1 |
16.1 |
| 4 |
US Premium/National Beef |
Certified Premium Beef, Black Canyon, Certified Black Angus |
9.0 |
(Farmland Beef) 7.8 |
| 5 |
Smithfield |
Steakhouse Classic |
5.5 |
6.6 |
Based on Illinois Farm Bureau figures, 2005 and 2002
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