$1.3bn Investment Signals Major Upgrade for US Pork Processing
Smithfield Plans $1.3bn Automated Pork Facility in South Dakota
Smithfield Foods has announced plans to construct a new $1.3 billion pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, replacing its long-standing downtown plant.
According to reporting by Agweek, the company will vacate its century-old site and develop a modern facility in Foundation Park. The move follows a $50 million donation from philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, helping to support the transition to a state-of-the-art processing operation.
The new plant is expected to incorporate advanced automation and updated production technology, reflecting wider investment trends across the US pork sector as processors modernise infrastructure to improve efficiency and labour productivity.
Smithfield’s current Sioux Falls plant has been a cornerstone of the local economy for more than 100 years. The relocation represents one of the most significant industrial developments in the city’s history and signals long-term commitment to pork processing capacity in the region.
Source: Agweek | 16 February 2026
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