A cyber attack on JBS SA, the world's largest meat producer, has forced some slaughterhouses around the world to close, and there are signs that the closure
5/20/2021 WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - Claxton Poultry Farms Inc has been indicted in Colorado on charges of price-fixing broiler chickens produced for sale to restaurants and grocery stores, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday. The company’s president, Mikell Fries, and vice president Scott Brady were previously indicted for their roles in a nationwide conspiracy to fix chicken prices from 2012 to 2019. If found guilty, Claxton could be fined $100 million or twice what it gained from participating in the price-fixing. Claxton, which is based in Georgia, sells 300 million pounds of chicken annually to 750 customers, including major chains, according to its website.
By Michael Hirtzer
Tyson Foods Inc. warned it’s struggling to meet rebounding chicken demand because of a worker shortage and slow hatchings, even as a strong beef market will boost overall sales.
The biggest U.S. meat company is seeing robust demand as the world economy mends from the pandemic, and it’s raising prices across businesses to pass through higher animal-feed costs and other expenses. That will help make up for thinner returns in chicken, where labor tightness means that plants are operating at about 80% of capacity. Tyson also said it can’t maximize profit in its pork unit because of a dearth of skilled labor to strip down carcasses.