Meat Product Manufacturing

Industry Description

The US meat products manufacturing industry includes about 3,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $165 billion. Major companies include Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, and Pilgrim's Pride. Tyson is the largest beef company, Smithfield the largest pork company, and Pilgrim's Pride the largest poultry company. The slaughtering segment of the industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 90 percent of segment revenue. The secondary processing segment, meat processed from carcasses, is also concentrated: the top 50 companies generate about 65 percent of segment revenue. Poultry processing is highly concentrated: the top 50 companies generate more than 90 percent of revenue.