The U.S. beef industry, a cornerstone of American agriculture and a symbol of the nation’s heartland, is under siege—not by external forces, but by a concentrated grip of corporate power. Republican Senator Josh Hawley recently called out what he describes as a “modern-day monopoly,” where just four mega-corporations—Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef—control over 80% of the nation’s beef processing industry. This consolidation, as Hawley and industry experts argue, is squeezing small producers out of business, driving up consumer prices, and threatening the sovereignty of America’s food supply chain.
A total of 4 companies control a whopping 80% of the entire beef-processing industry. That's a modern-day monopoly.
The winners here? The monopolists – like Tyson Foods. The losers? Farmers & grocery shoppers.
We need more industry competition in America pic.twitter.com/UxZc7eoAOZ
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 24, 2025
The Big Four’s Dominance
The beef industry’s consolidation is staggering. Four companies dominate more than 80% of beef processing, with similar control over poultry and pork markets. Two of these giants, JBS and National Beef, are foreign-owned, raising concerns about national security and food sovereignty. This level of market concentration—where the top four firms control over 40% of sales is considered consolidated, and over 60% is deemed a tight oligopoly—creates a system where competition is stifled, and power is concentrated in the hands of a few.
This corporate stranglehold has far-reaching consequences. Senator Hawley, speaking at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, highlighted the impact in his home state of Missouri, where Tyson Foods canceled contracts with farmers and closed two poultry plants, leaving hundreds jobless. “They’re acting with total impunity,” Hawley said, “because they can—they are essentially a monopolist.” The Big Four’s dominance allows them to dictate terms to farmers, set prices, and control supply chains, leaving small producers and consumers to bear the costs.
American cattle rancher exposing that they’ve all been sold out, they’re at risk of being run out of business and your meat is being imported
– 4 large mega corporations now own 85% of the entire industry
– 2 of them are foreign owned
– 1 of them is Chinese“50% or more of the… pic.twitter.com/BkmdAZ3umv
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) April 13, 2025
The Plight of Small Producers
For small family farms, which make up 96-98% of American farms, the monopoly’s grip is suffocating. Over 141,000 farms were lost between 2017 and 2022, leaving just 1.89 million in operation today. The Big Four pay farmers less for their cattle while reaping record profits. Posts on X from 2023 noted that cattle farmers are not seeing the benefits of high supermarket beef prices, with many forced to sell their farms—14,700 in a single year alone.
Regulations, often crafted with input from these corporate giants, disproportionately burden small producers. Judith McGeary of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance explains that current rules favor large-scale, industrial operations, making it difficult for small, regenerative farmers to access markets. The corporate capture of agencies like the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) exacerbates the issue, with half of its $400 billion loan portfolio directed toward mega-loans for Big Ag, sidelining family farms.
The loss of small farms isn’t just an economic issue—it’s a cultural and environmental one. Small farms historically fostered local food systems and sustainable practices, but they struggle against the economies of scale wielded by corporate giants. As these farms vanish, rural communities are hollowed out, with one rancher warning of the ongoing devastation on Fox Business.
Consumers Pay the Price
Consumers are equally harmed by this monopoly. While farmers receive less for their cattle, grocery shoppers face record-high beef prices. The average price for ground beef hit $5.8 per pound in April 2025, a record high, driven by tight supplies and corporate price-setting power. The Big Four’s control allows them to maintain “sticky prices,” where consumer costs rise quickly during shortages but fall slowly, if at all, when commodity prices drop.
This consolidation also limits consumer choice. With 79% of everyday grocery items controlled by four or fewer firms, the illusion of variety masks a system designed to maximize corporate profits. The quality of beef suffers as well, with industrial practices prioritizing efficiency over health. The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, backed by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., argues that the reliance on ultra-processed foods and chemical-heavy industrial farming contributes to America’s health crisis, with obesity rates at 42% and Type 2 diabetes cases quadrupling since 1980.
A National Security Concern
The consolidation of the beef industry poses a national security risk. With two of the Big Four being foreign-owned, America’s food supply chain is vulnerable to external influence. The fragility of this centralized system was exposed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a single large meat plant’s closure disrupted the national supply chain. A decentralized network of smaller, regional processors could add redundancy and resilience, but the Big Four’s dominance stifles such efforts.
A Path Forward: Decentralization and Reform
Breaking the monopoly’s grip requires bold action. Senator Hawley and others advocate for increased competition through antitrust enforcement and regulatory reform. The MAHA movement calls for policies to support small farms, such as scale-appropriate regulations and the reinstatement of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL), which was removed in 2015 after pressure from the Big Four and foreign trade partners. MCOOL would ensure transparency, allowing consumers to prioritize American-raised beef.
Grassroots efforts are also gaining traction, connecting consumers with independent farmers, offering clean, grass-fed beef shipped directly to doorsteps. This model bypasses corporate middlemen, empowering ranchers and giving consumers access to healthier, locally sourced food. However, scaling these efforts requires policy support, such as the proposed antitrust bill to halt agribusiness mergers and investments in regional food hubs.
Conclusion
The monopoly over America’s beef industry, controlled by four mega-corporations, is a textbook example of corporate overreach. Small producers are squeezed out by unfair pricing and regulations, rural communities are eroded, and consumers face soaring prices for lower-quality beef. This consolidation threatens not only economic fairness but also public health and national security. As Senator Hawley aptly stated, “The winners here? The monopolists—like Tyson Foods. The losers? Farmers and grocery shoppers.”
To reclaim America’s food system, policymakers must prioritize antitrust action, regulatory reform, and support for local, regenerative farming. Consumers, too, can play a role by seeking out rancher-direct options and supporting similar initiatives to make America healthier. Only through collective action can we dismantle this modern-day monopoly and restore a food system that serves farmers, consumers, and the nation as a whole.