Thousands of workers set to strike at major JBS beef plant

Thousands of workers at a major US beef processing facility are preparing to strike after contract negotiations with meat giant JBS broke down.

According to reporting by CBS News citing Reuters and local media, around 3,800 employees at the JBS beef plant in Greeley, Colorado plan to walk out from 16 March.

The workers, represented by UFCW Local 7, voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, with union officials saying 99% supported the move following eight months of unsuccessful contract negotiations. The union claims the dispute centres on what it describes as “poverty level” wages and working conditions.

JBS disputes the claims and says its latest offer is consistent with national labour agreements in the sector. The company has said production will continue by redirecting output to other facilities during the strike.

JBS is the world’s largest meat supplier and the Colorado facility is one of the largest beef processing plants in the United States.

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Source: CBS News / Reuters | 9 March 2026

US Democrats Propose Bill Targeting Break Up of Major Meatpackers

US Senate Democrats are preparing legislation aimed at restructuring the country’s largest meatpacking companies.

According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, the proposal led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer would prevent a single company from processing more than one type of meat. Under the plan, major processors such as Tyson Foods could be required to divest certain business units. This could include beef operations.

The legislation would also trigger a review of foreign owned meat companies operating in the United States. This includes JBS and WH Group. The initiative is being positioned as an effort to address high US beef prices and concerns around industry concentration.

Following reports of the proposal, shares in JBS fell around 4.2%. Meanwhile, Smithfield Foods declined by roughly 3.4%. This reflects investor concerns about potential regulatory intervention.

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Source: The Wall Street Journal | 3 March 2026

‘Big Four’ US Meatpackers Face Lawsuits Over Beef Pricing

Major US meatpackers are facing legal action amid allegations of price fixing and collusion. Meanwhile, consumer beef prices continue to rise.

According to reporting by The Guardian, leading processors including Tyson Foods and JBS are among firms accused in lawsuits brought by retailers and foodservice operators such as McDonald’s. The claims centre on alleged coordinated behaviour within the US beef processing sector.

The legal challenges come as retail beef prices in the United States have climbed sharply. At the same time, prices paid to cattle producers have reportedly weakened. The cases are expected to intensify scrutiny of concentration within the US beef packing industry. They could have wider implications for pricing transparency and supply chain dynamics.

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Source: The Guardian | 25 February 2026

JBS Invests $150M in Oman to Build Multi-Protein Export Hub

Brazil-based meat giant JBS has announced a US$150 million investment to establish a major multi-protein processing hub in Oman. This will be done in partnership with the Oman Investment Authority.

The project will process beef, poultry and lamb, with a reported annual capacity of more than 300,000 tonnes. The facility is positioned as a strategic platform targeting the expanding global halal protein market.

The move aligns with broader Gulf food security strategies. In these strategies, sovereign wealth funds are investing in domestic processing infrastructure to reduce reliance on raw imports and increase value-added capacity.

JBS continues to expand internationally despite tighter global cattle supplies and increasing trade fragmentation. The multi-protein model also provides flexibility across species. This allows processors to pivot between beef, poultry and lamb depending on market margins.

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Source: Perishable News | 11 February 2026

JBS Aims to Double Output at New Saudi Chicken Plant

JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, plans to double production output at its new chicken processing facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by the end of 2026, signalling a major expansion of capacity in the Middle East.

According to reporting by Reuters, the plant forms part of JBS’s broader strategy to position itself closer to high-growth consumption markets. Rising demand for poultry across the Gulf region, driven by population growth, foodservice expansion and food security priorities, has underpinned the investment.

The expansion will significantly increase local processing volumes, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s domestic protein supply chain. It also reflects a wider trend of global processors investing directly in regional capacity, rather than serving markets solely through exports.

Industry analysts note that the Middle East is becoming an increasingly strategic destination for protein investment, as governments seek to enhance self-sufficiency, halal-certified production and supply resilience.

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Source: Reuters | 22 January 2026