Control Of The Meat Industry Shrinks

National Beef Packing Co., the nation's fourth-largest beef processor, said Tuesday it is being acquired by Brazilian giant JBS SA in a cash and stock deal worth $560 million. JBS also said it plans to buy Smithfield Food Inc.'s beef business to form the largest meat processor in the U.S..

Kansas City-based National Beef said JBS, the world's largest beef processor, will pay National Beef members about $465 million in cash and $95 million in JBS shares. Under the deal, which still requires regulatory approval, JBS will assume an undisclosed amount of National Beef's debt.
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This is another chapter in the meat industry as important as the decline of Omaha Stockyards and the rise of IBP back in the 1960's. What started as an anti-trust regulations in the 1920's had reduced the reach of the near monopoly of the "Big Four" in the 1950's.

For more info about the big four click here.